Smellerbee, Rebel Fighter is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

First strike Other creatures you control have haste. Whenever Smellerbee attacks, you may discard your hand. If you do, draw cards equal to the number of attacking creatures.

Complete guide

Smellerbee, Rebel Fighter is a high-impact red legendary creature that turns your board into a charging army. By granting haste to your allies and offering a powerful hand-refilling trigger, it ensures your offensive strategy never runs out of steam. This Human Rebel Ally is designed for aggressive decks that want to commit everything to the red zone.

Granting Momentum

Smellerbee, Rebel Fighter has two static abilities that define its role on the battlefield. First, it possesses first strike, making it difficult to block effectively in combat. Second, it provides all other creatures you control with haste. This allows any creature you play to attack or use tap abilities the same turn they enter the battlefield, provided Smellerbee is already in play or enters alongside them.

Refueling the Hand

The core of Smellerbee's power is its triggered ability. When Smellerbee attacks, the ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you have a choice: you may discard your entire hand. If you do, you count every creature currently declared as an attacker (including Smellerbee itself) and draw that many cards. Because this happens during the declare attackers step, you will have your new hand ready to use before blockers are even declared or combat damage is dealt.

Timing and Strategy

A common mistake is forgetting that Smellerbee does not give itself haste; only other creatures benefit. If you want Smellerbee to attack the turn it is played, you will need another source of haste. Additionally, the discard is optional. If you already have a hand full of valuable spells and only one or two creatures attacking, you can choose not to discard and keep your current hand.

Interaction examples

Instant Value with Solemn Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

With Smellerbee, Rebel Fighter on the battlefield, you cast Solemn Simulacrum. Because of Smellerbee's static ability, Solemn Simulacrum gains haste immediately upon entering. You can use the Golem to search for a land and then immediately attack with it alongside Smellerbee. When you resolve Smellerbee's trigger, you will draw at least two cards (one for each attacker) if you choose to discard your hand.

Doubling the Draw with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Human', 'Rebel', or 'Ally' chosen, Smellerbee's attack trigger will trigger twice. When the first trigger resolves, you may discard your hand to draw cards equal to your attackers. Then, the second trigger resolves. Since your hand was just refilled, you must discard that new hand to draw another set of cards equal to the number of attackers. This is particularly useful if you are looking for specific cards to play during your post-combat main phase.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.