Starfield of Nyx — ruling 1

If the first ability returns an Aura card to the battlefield, you choose what that Aura will enchant as it enters the battlefield. If the Aura can’t legally enchant anything, it stays in the graveyard.

Starfield of Nyx — ruling 2

Note that if an Aura is returned to the battlefield this way, whatever the Aura enchants isn’t a target of Starfield of Nyx’s ability, nor is it a target of the Aura card itself. You could put an Aura onto the battlefield this way enchanting a creature with hexproof controlled by an opponent, for example.

Starfield of Nyx — ruling 3

A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its {T} abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature.

Starfield of Nyx : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Starfield of Nyx 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

At the beginning of your upkeep, you may return target enchantment card from your graveyard to the battlefield. As long as you control five or more enchantments, each other non-Aura enchantment you control is a creature in addition to its other types and has base power and base toughness each equal to its mana value.

Complete guide

Starfield of Nyx is a powerful engine for enchantment-heavy decks, providing both recurring value and a lethal win condition. This enchantment turns your graveyard into a toolbox while eventually transforming your entire board into an army of celestial entities.

Bringing Back the Fallen

The first ability of Starfield of Nyx triggers at the beginning of your upkeep. It targets a single enchantment card in your graveyard and puts it directly onto the battlefield. Because this is an optional 'may' ability, you can choose not to return anything if you wish to avoid specific board states or triggers.

From Constellations to Creatures

The second ability is a static effect that checks if you control five or more enchantments (including Starfield of Nyx itself). If you meet this threshold, every other non-Aura enchantment you control becomes a creature with power and toughness equal to its mana value. They retain their original types and abilities but are now susceptible to creature removal and combat damage.

Timing and Summoning Sickness

A common mistake involves the timing of the transformation. If an enchantment enters the battlefield and you reach the five-enchantment threshold on the same turn, that new enchantment creature will have summoning sickness. Even if it was a non-creature when it entered, the rules look at whether you have controlled the permanent continuously since the start of your turn to determine if it can attack or tap.

Aura Interactions

If you use Starfield of Nyx to return an Aura card, you choose what it enchants as it enters. Since the Aura isn't being cast, it does not target. This allows you to attach an Aura to a permanent with Hexproof or Shroud. However, if there are no legal permanents for the Aura to attach to, it remains in the graveyard.

Interaction examples

Taxing and Attacking

Smothering Tithe

If you control Starfield of Nyx and four other enchantments, including Smothering Tithe, the Tithe becomes a 4/4 creature. It still triggers whenever an opponent draws a card, but it can now also be declared as an attacker or blocker.

Doubling the Power

Anointed Procession

With five enchantments on board, Anointed Procession becomes a 4/4 creature. If you then create a token, the Procession's static ability still functions to double that token, even though it is now a creature.

The Graveyard Loop

Smothering Tithe

Anointed Procession

During your upkeep, if Smothering Tithe is in your graveyard and Starfield of Nyx is on the battlefield, you can target the Tithe. It returns to play. If this brings your total enchantment count to five, both Smothering Tithe and Anointed Procession immediately become creatures.

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

How it works : Starfield of Nyx

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
If the first ability returns an Aura card to the battlefield, you choose what that Aura will enchant as it enters the battlefield. If the Aura can’t legally enchant anything, it stays in the graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
Note that if an Aura is returned to the battlefield this way, whatever the Aura enchants isn’t a target of Starfield of Nyx’s ability, nor is it a target of the Aura card itself. You could put an Aura onto the battlefield this way enchanting a creature with hexproof controlled by an opponent, for example.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.