Strionic Resonator 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
,
: Copy target triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. (A triggered ability uses the words "when," "whenever," or "at.")
Complete guide
Strionic Resonator is a versatile artifact that allows you to double down on the most powerful moments in a game of Magic. By capturing the essence of a triggered ability as it heads to the stack, you can replicate devastating effects for just two mana. Whether you are doubling a card-draw trigger or an explosive enter-the-battlefield effect, this resonator is a staple for any synergy-heavy deck.
Understanding the Trigger
Strionic Resonator specifically targets triggered abilities you control. You can identify these by looking for the words "when," "whenever," or "at." It does not work on activated abilities (which use a colon) or static effects. When an ability triggers and is put onto the stack, you respond by activating the Resonator to create an identical copy of that ability.
Resolving the Copy
Once you activate Strionic Resonator targeting a triggered ability, the copy is placed on the stack above the original. You may choose new targets for this copy if the ability requires them. The copy will resolve first, followed by the original ability. Note that if the ability is modal (Choose one...), you cannot change the mode of the copy; it will do exactly what the original was set to do.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is trying to change the distribution of counters or damage if the original ability divided them; while you can pick new targets, you must maintain the same number of targets and the same distribution. Additionally, remember that any costs associated with the resolution of the trigger (like paying mana to draw a card) must be paid separately for both the copy and the original.
When to Play It
Strionic Resonator is best utilized in decks with high-impact 'Enters the Battlefield' triggers or 'At the beginning of your upkeep' effects. Since it requires two mana and tapping to use, ensure you have a mana engine ready to support it so you don't stifle your own turn's tempo.
Interaction examples
Sol Ring
Arcane SignetWhile Sol Ring and Arcane Signet provide the mana needed to activate Strionic Resonator, it is important to note that their abilities are activated mana abilities, not triggered abilities. You cannot use Strionic Resonator to copy the mana production of Sol Ring or Arcane Signet because they do not use 'when', 'whenever', or 'at'. Instead, use the mana from these artifacts to pay for the Resonator's cost when a real trigger, like a creature entering the battlefield, occurs.
Imagine you control an enchantment that says 'Whenever a creature enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life.' When a creature enters, that ability triggers and goes on the stack. In response, you tap Strionic Resonator and pay two mana. You create a copy of that life-gain trigger. The copy resolves, giving you 1 life, and then the original resolves, giving you another 1 life, for a total of 2 life gained.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Strionic Resonator
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Triggered abilities use the word "when," "whenever," or "at." They're often written as "[Trigger condition], [effect]."
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Strionic Resonator targets a triggered ability that has triggered and is on the stack and creates another instance of that ability on the stack. It doesn't cause any object to gain an ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The source of the copy is the same as the source of the original ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the triggered ability is modal (that is, if it says, "Choose one —" or similar), the mode is copied and can't be changed.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If the triggered ability divides damage or distributes counters among a number of targets (for example, the ability of Bogardan Hellkite), the division and number of targets can't be changed. If you choose new targets, you must choose the same number of targets.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Any choices made when the triggered ability resolves won't have been made yet when it's copied. Any such choices will be made separately when the copy resolves. If the triggered ability asks you to pay a cost (such as that of Frenzied Goblin), you pay that cost for the copy.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
If a triggered ability is linked to a second ability, copies of that triggered ability are also linked to that second ability. If the second ability refers to "the exiled card," it refers to all cards exiled by the triggered ability and the copy. For example, if Fiend Hunter's enters-the-battlefield ability is copied and two creatures are exiled, they both return when Fiend Hunter leaves the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
In some cases involving linked abilities, an ability requires information about "the exiled card." When this happens, the ability gets multiple answers. If these answers are being used to determine the value of a variable, the sum is used. For example, if Elite Arcanist's enters-the-battlefield ability is copied, two cards are exiled. The value of X in the activation cost of Elite Arcanist's other ability is the sum of the two cards' mana values. As the ability resolves, you create copies of both cards and can cast none, one, or both of the copies in any order.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Brago, King Eternal + Strionic Resonator
- 1Deal combat damage with Brago.
- 2Brago triggers.
- 3In response, activate artifacts you control by tapping them, adding at least
. - 4Activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping itself, copying Brago's triggered ability.
- 5Resolve the copied triggered ability, blinking Strionic Resonator, the artifacts that tapped for mana, and any number of nonland permanents you control.
- 6Repeat from step 3.
Unstoppable Plan + Strionic Resonator
- 1At the beginning of your end step, Unstoppable Plan triggers.
- 2Holding priority, activate any number of other nonland permanents by tapping them, adding at least
. - 3Activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping it, copying Unstoppable Plan's trigger.
- 4Resolve the copy of Unstoppable Plan's trigger, untapping all nonland permanents you control.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Mishra, Eminent One + Gonti's Aether Heart + Strionic Resonator
- 1At the beginning of your combat phase, Mishra triggers.
- 2Holding priority, activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping it, copying Mishra's trigger.
- 3Resolve the first Mishra trigger, creating a 4/4 artifact creature token copy of Gonti's Aether Heart named Mishra's Warform.
- 4When Mishra's Warform enters the battlefield, it and Gonti's Aether Heart trigger, causing you to get four energy counters.
- 5Resolve the second Mishra trigger from step 1, creating a 4/4 artifact creature token copy of Gonti's Aether Heart named Mishra's Warform.
- 6Put either Mishra's Warform into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 7When the second Mishra's Warform enters the battlefield, both Mishra's Warforms and Gonti's Aether Heart trigger, causing you to get six energy counters.
- 8Activate the remaining Mishra's Warform by paying eight energy counters and exiling it, causing you to take an extra turn after this one.
Ulalek, Fused Atrocity + Strionic Resonator + Kozilek's Unsealing
- 1Cast an Eldrazi from your hand by paying its mana cost.
- 2Ulalek triggers, the Eldrazi cast triggers if it has a cast ability, and Kozilek's Unsealing's first ability triggers.
- 3Holding priority, activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping it, copying Ulalek's trigger.
- 4Resolve the copy of Ulalek's trigger, causing you to pay to copy the Eldrazi spell, Ulalek's trigger, the Eldrazi cast trigger if it had one, and the Kozilek's Unsealing trigger.
- 5Resolve the Eldrazi cast trigger, if applicable.
- 6Resolve the copy of the Kozilek's Unsealing trigger, creating two 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens.
- 7Activate both Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens by sacrificing it, adding .
- 8Resolve the copy of Ulalek's trigger from step 4, causing you to pay to copy the Eldrazi spell, Ulalek's trigger, the Eldrazi cast trigger if it had one, and the Kozilek's Unsealing trigger.
Ulalek, Fused Atrocity + Writhing Chrysalis + Strionic Resonator
- 1Cast Writhing Chrysalis by paying
. - 2Ulalek and Writhing Chrysalis' first ability trigger.
- 3Holding priority, activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping it, copying Ulalek's trigger.
- 4Resolve the copy of Ulalek's trigger, causing you to pay to copy the Writhing Chrysalis spell, Ulalek's trigger and Writhing Chrysalis' trigger.
- 5Resolve the copy of the Writhing Chrysalis spell.
- 6Resolve the copy of Writhing Chrysalis' trigger, creating two 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens.
- 7Activate both Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens by sacrificing it, adding .
- 8Each Writhing Chrysalis you control triggers twice, putting two +1/+1 counters on each of them.
Etrata, the Silencer + Strionic Resonator + Lithoform Engine
- 1Deal combat damage to an opponent using Etrata, triggering its ability.
- 2Holding priority, activate Lithoform Engine and Strionic Resonator by paying
and tapping them, copying Etrata's trigger twice. - 3Resolve all Etrata triggers, exiling three creatures an opponent controls and putting hit counters on them, and then causing that opponent to lose the game.
Ulalek, Fused Atrocity + Strionic Resonator + Spawn-Gang Commander
- 1Cast Spawn-Gang Commander by paying .
- 2Ulalek and Spawn-Gang Commander trigger.
- 3Holding priority, activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping it, copying Ulalek's trigger.
- 4Resolve the copy of Ulalek's trigger, causing you to pay to copy the Spawn-Gang Commander spell, then Ulalek's trigger and Spawn-Gang Commander's trigger.
- 5Resolve the copy of Spawn-Gang Commander's trigger, creating three 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens.
- 6Activate two Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens by sacrificing them, adding .
- 7Repeat from step 4 any number of times.
- 8Once you have infinite and Eldrazi Spawn tokens, you may sacrifice them to Spawn-Gang Commander to deal infinite damage to any target(s), and you may resolve all copies of the Spawn-Gang Commander spell.
Etrata, the Silencer + Roaming Throne + Strionic Resonator
- 1Deal combat damage to an opponent using Etrata, triggering its ability twice due to Roaming Throne.
- 2Holding priority, activate Strionic Resonator by paying and tapping it, copying either of Etrata's triggers.
- 3Resolve all Etrata triggers, exiling three creatures an opponent controls and putting hit counters on them, and then causing that opponent to lose the game.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Strionic Resonator
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