Sphinx of the ChimesHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Sphinx of the Chimes features a unique activated ability that converts duplicate nonland cards into card advantage. For the cost of discarding two nonland cards with the same name, you draw four cards. This is not a mana-based ability, meaning as long as you have the right cards in hand, you can activate it multiple times in a single turn.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you must announce the activation of the ability. As a cost, you choose two nonland cards from your hand that share the exact same English name and put them into your graveyard. This cost is paid immediately and cannot be responded to. Once the cost is paid, the ability goes on the stack. When it resolves, you draw four cards. If an effect prevents you from drawing cards, you still discarded the pair.

Common Mistakes

The most common error is attempting to discard land cards; the ability explicitly specifies 'nonland cards,' so even if you have two Basic Islands, you cannot discard them to this Sphinx. Additionally, remember that you cannot discard three cards to draw six; you must pay the cost in distinct pairs of two.

When to Play It

This Sphinx excels in decks that run many four-of copies of spells or in formats where you can easily return cards to your hand. It is particularly effective during your opponent's end step, allowing you to untap with a massive hand and full mana to cast the new spells you just drew.

Interaction examples

Draining Life with Logic

Psychosis Crawler

With Psychosis Crawler on the battlefield, you activate Sphinx of the Chimes by discarding two identical nonland cards. As the ability resolves and you draw four cards, Psychosis Crawler's triggered ability fires four times, causing your opponents to lose a total of 4 life while the Crawler itself grows significantly larger.

The Infinite Loop Deterrent

Hullbreaker Horror

If you have Hullbreaker Horror and Sphinx of the Chimes on the board, you can use the Sphinx to find more spells to trigger the Horror. When you discard a pair to draw four, you are likely to find cheap spells. Casting those spells triggers Hullbreaker Horror, allowing you to bounce your opponents' permanents or spells back to their hands, potentially giving them duplicates they can't even use.