Spinerock Tyrant 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
Flying Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell with a single target, you may copy it. If you do, those spells gain wither. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Complete guide
Spinerock Tyrant is a fearsome Dragon that brings the debilitating power of wither to your spellcasting. By duplicating your targeted spells and infecting them with the ability to place -1/-1 counters, it turns every blast into a permanent scar on your opponent's board. This creature ensures that even if your spells don't kill a target outright, they will leave it significantly weakened.
Mastering Wither and Duplication
Spinerock Tyrant possesses two key keywords: Flying and Wither. While Flying helps it soar over blockers, Wither changes how it deals damage to creatures, applying it as -1/-1 counters instead of marked damage. Its most unique feature is the triggered ability that copies any instant or sorcery spell you cast that has exactly one target. When you choose to copy the spell, both the original and the copy gain the Wither ability, meaning any damage they deal to creatures will result in -1/-1 counters.
Resolution Step-by-Step
When you cast a qualifying instant or sorcery, Spinerock Tyrant's ability triggers and goes on the stack above your spell. As the ability resolves, you decide whether to copy the spell. If you do, the copy is placed directly onto the stack. You can then choose a new legal target for the copy. The copy inherits all decisions made for the original, including the value of X or chosen modes, but it is not considered 'cast,' so it won't trigger 'when you cast' abilities again.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
A common mistake is trying to copy spells that have multiple targets or no targets at all; Spinerock Tyrant only triggers for spells with a single target. Additionally, remember that Wither only affects damage dealt to creatures. If your spell deals damage to a player or planeswalker, Wither has no effect on that interaction. Finally, because the copy isn't cast, you cannot pay additional costs like Kicker for the copy, though it will benefit from any additional costs paid for the original.
Strategic Timing
To maximize Spinerock Tyrant, use it alongside spells that deal noncombat damage. This allows you to distribute -1/-1 counters across multiple threats or stack them on a single high-toughness creature to bypass Indestructible, as creatures with zero toughness are put into the graveyard regardless of protection. It is also an excellent tool for doubling up on utility spells that target your own permanents.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf you cast a spell like Lightning Bolt targeting Solemn Simulacrum while Spinerock Tyrant is on the battlefield, the Tyrant's ability triggers. You can copy the Bolt and target the Simulacrum again (or a different creature). Because the copy and the original gain Wither, they will place three -1/-1 counters each. This ensures the Golem dies and its controller's future creatures are equally threatened by your infected magic.
Roaming ThroneIf Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Dragon', its ability will apply to Spinerock Tyrant. When you cast a single-target instant or sorcery, the Tyrant's ability triggers twice. This allows you to create two copies of your spell for a total of three instances of the effect on the stack. Each instance (the original and both copies) will have Wither, allowing you to decimate a board with -1/-1 counters.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Spinerock Tyrant
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
The copy is created on the stack, so it's not "cast." Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell (such as conspire's triggered ability that creates a copy of the spell) won't trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Any damage dealt to creatures by a source with wither, whether it's combat damage or noncombat damage, is dealt in the form of -1/-1 counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
You can't choose to pay any additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell that's copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast, the copy will have the same value of X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will have the same target unless you choose new ones. If you change the target, the new target must be legal.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell that's copied is modal (that is, it says "Choose one —" or the like), the copy will have the same mode or modes. You can't choose different ones.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Spinerock Tyrant + Twinflame
- 1Cast Twinflame by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Twinflame and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Twinflame, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Twinflame, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Twinflame from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Spinerock Tyrant + Electroduplicate
- 1Cast Electroduplicate by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Electroduplicate and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Electroduplicate, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Electroduplicate, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Electroduplicate from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Spinerock Tyrant + Devastating Onslaught
- 1Cast Devastating Onslaught by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Devastating Onslaught and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Devastating Onslaught, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Devastating Onslaught, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Devastating Onslaught from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Spinerock Tyrant + Molten Duplication
- 1Cast Molten Duplication by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Molten Duplication and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Molten Duplication, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Molten Duplication, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Molten Duplication from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Spinerock Tyrant + Saw in Half
- 1Cast Saw in Half by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Saw in Half and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Saw in Half, creating two Spinerock Tyrant tokens, except their power and toughness are halved to a minimum of 1.
- 4Resolve the original Saw in Half, creating two token copies of the spell recursion creature, except their power and toughness are halved to a minimum of 1.
- 5When those tokens enter, they trigger, returning Saw in Half and another target card of the appropriate type from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Cast Saw in Half by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 7When you cast that spell, each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Saw in Half once for each Spinerock Tyrant and choosing a different copy of Spinerock Tyrant as each additional spell's target
- 8Resolve the copies of Saw in Half, creating four Spinerock Tyrant tokens, except their power and toughness are halved to a minimum of 1.
Spinerock Tyrant + Heat Shimmer
- 1Cast Heat Shimmer by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Heat Shimmer and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Heat Shimmer, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Heat Shimmer, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Heat Shimmer from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Spinerock Tyrant + Cackling Counterpart
- 1Cast Cackling Counterpart by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Cackling Counterpart and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Cackling Counterpart, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Cackling Counterpart, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Cackling Counterpart from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Spinerock Tyrant + Quasiduplicate
- 1Cast Quasiduplicate by paying its mana cost targeting the creature that can recur spells.
- 2When you cast that spell, Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying Quasiduplicate and choosing Spinerock Tyrant as its target.
- 3Resolve the copy of Quasiduplicate, creating a Spinerock Tyrant token.
- 4Resolve the original Quasiduplicate, creating a token copy of the spell recursion creature.
- 5When that token enters, it triggers, returning Quasiduplicate from your graveyard to your hand.
- 6Repeat from step 1 one additional time, resulting in a total of five Spinerock Tyrants.
- 7Cast the spell that creates a Treasure token by paying its mana cost, targeting any creature.
- 8Each copy of Spinerock Tyrant triggers, copying that spell once for each Spinerock Tyrant you control.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Spinerock Tyrant
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.