Steppe Lynx 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
Landfall — Whenever a land you control enters, this creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Complete guide
Steppe Lynx is a cornerstone of aggressive strategies, offering explosive power for just a single white mana. By leveraging the Landfall mechanic, this Cat creature can quickly grow from a small threat into a game-ending attacker. Understanding how to maximize its triggers is the key to mastering any deck that features this nimble feline.
What It Does
Steppe Lynx features the Landfall keyword, which is a triggered ability. Every time a land enters the battlefield under your control, the Lynx receives a +2/+2 bonus until the end of the turn. This applies whether you play the land as your normal land for the turn or if an effect puts a land into play for you.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, a land enters the battlefield under your control. This causes the Landfall ability to trigger and be placed on the stack. Before the ability resolves, players have a chance to respond with spells or abilities. Once both players pass priority, the ability resolves, and Steppe Lynx gains +2/+2. If multiple lands enter at once, each triggers the Lynx separately.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that changing a permanent's type triggers Landfall. If a permanent already on the battlefield becomes a land, Steppe Lynx will not trigger. Additionally, remember that the bonus is temporary; it wears off during the cleanup step at the end of the turn, returning the Lynx to its base 0/1 stats.
When to Play It
Steppe Lynx is best played on turn one to maximize the number of land drops that occur while it is on the field. It excels in decks with 'fetch lands' or spells that put multiple lands into play, allowing it to reach 4/5 or even 6/7 stats in a single turn for a devastating combat phase.
Interaction examples
Esper SentinelIf you control both Steppe Lynx and Esper Sentinel, playing a land will trigger Landfall for the Lynx. As Steppe Lynx's power increases, you might think it helps Esper Sentinel, but remember these are separate creatures. However, if an effect were to swap their power or if you had a way to boost the Sentinel, you can create a difficult taxing situation for your opponent while the Lynx threatens a massive attack.
Ornithopter of ParadiseWhile Ornithopter of Paradise provides mana, it does not trigger Landfall because it is a creature, not a land. You can use the mana from Ornithopter of Paradise to cast spells that put lands onto the battlefield, which will then trigger Steppe Lynx's ability and make it a formidable attacker.
You have Steppe Lynx on the battlefield. You play a Plains as your land for the turn. The Landfall ability triggers and goes on the stack. When it resolves, Steppe Lynx becomes a 2/3 creature until the end of the turn.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Steppe Lynx
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A landfall ability triggers whenever a land you control enters for any reason. It triggers whenever you play a land, as well as whenever a spell or ability puts a land onto the battlefield under your control.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
A landfall ability doesn't trigger if a permanent already on the battlefield becomes a land.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Whenever a land you control enters, each landfall ability of the permanents you control will trigger. You can put them on the stack in any order. The last ability you put on the stack will be the first one to resolve (As a result, you can have those abilities resolve in the order of your choosing.).
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Steppe Lynx
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