Sphinx-Bone Wand — ruling 1

If you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Sphinx-Bone Wand’s ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. The ability will resolve before the spell does.

Sphinx-Bone Wand — ruling 2

If the targeted permanent or player is an illegal target by the time the ability resolves, the ability doesn’t resolve. You won’t put a charge counter on Sphinx-Bone Wand and it won’t deal damage.

Sphinx-Bone Wand — ruling 3

If Sphinx-Bone Wand leaves the battlefield before its ability resolves, you won’t be able to put a charge counter on it. As a result, it won’t deal damage.

Sphinx-Bone Wand : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Sphinx-Bone Wand 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

Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may put a charge counter on this artifact. If you do, this artifact deals damage equal to the number of charge counters on it to any target.

How it works : Sphinx-Bone Wand

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Sphinx-Bone Wand’s ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. The ability will resolve before the spell does.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If the targeted permanent or player is an illegal target by the time the ability resolves, the ability doesn’t resolve. You won’t put a charge counter on Sphinx-Bone Wand and it won’t deal damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If Sphinx-Bone Wand leaves the battlefield before its ability resolves, you won’t be able to put a charge counter on it. As a result, it won’t deal damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.