Sovereign Okinec Ahau 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
WardWhenever Sovereign Okinec Ahau attacks, for each creature you control with power greater than that creature's base power, put a number of +1/+1 counters on that creature equal to the difference.
Complete guide
Sovereign Okinec Ahau is a powerful Legendary Cat Noble that rewards you for buffing your army. By scaling your creatures based on their current strength compared to their base stats, this commander can cause your board state to explode during the combat phase. Whether you use equipment, auras, or counters, the Sovereign ensures your growth is exponential.
Understanding Base Power
To use Sovereign Okinec Ahau effectively, you must understand 'base power.' This is usually the number printed in the bottom right corner of the card. If an effect sets power to a specific number (like 'becomes a 4/4'), that becomes the new base power. However, +1/+1 counters and continuous effects like '+1/+1 to all creatures' do NOT change base power; they are the difference the Sovereign looks for.
The Resolution Process
When Sovereign Okinec Ahau attacks, its ability triggers for every creature you control. Upon resolution, the game checks each creature's current power and compares it to its base power. If the current power is higher, you calculate the difference and place that many +1/+1 counters on that creature. Note that Sovereign Okinec Ahau does not need to attack alone to trigger this effect.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that Sovereign Okinec Ahau counts itself. If the Sovereign has a +1/+1 counter on it when it attacks, it will receive another counter to double that bonus. Also, remember that Ward {2} only protects the Sovereign from being targeted; it does not protect your other creatures that are receiving the counters.
When to Play It
Timing is key. You want to cast Sovereign Okinec Ahau when you already have a board presence or a way to modify power immediately. Since the ability triggers 'whenever it attacks,' giving the Sovereign Haste or protecting it until your next combat phase is essential for maximizing value.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf Solemn Simulacrum (base power 2) has a +1/+1 counter on it, its current power is 3. When Sovereign Okinec Ahau attacks, the difference between its current power (3) and base power (2) is 1. You place one +1/+1 counter on Solemn Simulacrum, making it a 4/4.
Eternal WitnessImagine Eternal Witness (base power 2) is equipped with something giving it +2/+0, making it a 4/1. When the Sovereign attacks, the difference is 2 (4 minus 2). You place two +1/+1 counters on the Witness. If you attack again next turn and the equipment is still there, the Witness is now a 6/3; the difference is now 4, so you would add four more counters!
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sovereign Okinec Ahau
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Normally, a creature's base power and toughness are the power and toughness printed on the card or, for a token, the power and toughness set by the effect that created it. If another effect sets a creature's power and toughness to specific numbers or values, those become its base power and toughness. If an effect modifies a creature's power and/or toughness without setting them, that is not included when determining its base power and toughness.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature has a characteristic-defining ability that sets its power and toughness, indicated with a */* or similar in the power and toughness box, that ability is taken into account when determining its base power and toughness.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Some creatures have base power and toughness 0/0 and an ability that gives them a bonus based on some criteria. Those are not characteristic-defining abilities, and that ability doesn't change its base power and toughness.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Sovereign Okinec Ahau + Sage of Hours
- 1Declare Sovereign Okinec Ahau as an attacker.
- 2Sovereign Okinec Ahau triggers, putting at least five +1/+1 counters on Sage of Hours.
- 3Activate Sage of Hours by removing all +1/+1 counters from it, causing you to take at least one extra turn after this one.
- 4Repeat each turn.
Sovereign Okinec Ahau + Simic Ascendancy + Colossification
- 1Declare Sovereign Okinec Ahau as an attacker.
- 2Sovereign Okinec Ahau triggers, putting twenty +1/+1 counters on the creature that has Colossification attached.
- 3Simic Ascendancy's first ability triggers, putting 20 growth counters on it.
- 4At the beginning of your next upkeep, Simic Ascendancy's second ability triggers, causing you to win the game.
Sovereign Okinec Ahau + Simic Ascendancy + Mossbridge Troll
- 1Activate Mossbridge Troll by tapping any other creatures you control except Sovereign Okinec Ahau with total power 10 or greater, giving Mossbridge Troll +20/+20 until end of turn.
- 2Declare Sovereign Okinec Ahau as an attacker.
- 3Sovereign Okinec Ahau triggers, putting twenty +1/+1 counters on Mossbridge Troll.
- 4Simic Ascendancy's first ability triggers, putting 20 growth counters on it.
- 5At the beginning of your next upkeep, Simic Ascendancy's second ability triggers, causing you to win the game.
Legal formats
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