Summon: Valefor — ruling 1

Each symbol on the left of a Saga's text box represents a chapter ability. A chapter ability is a triggered ability that triggers when a lore counter that is put on the Saga causes the number of lore counters on the Saga to become equal to or greater than the ability's chapter number. Chapter abilities are put onto the stack and may be responded to.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 2

Once the number of lore counters on a Saga is greater than or equal to the greatest number among its chapter abilities, the Saga's controller sacrifices it as soon as its chapter ability has left the stack, most likely by resolving or being countered. This state-based action doesn't use the stack.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 3

As a Saga enters, its controller puts a lore counter on it. As your first main phase begins (immediately after your draw step), you put another lore counter on each Saga you control. Putting a lore counter on a Saga in either of these ways doesn't use the stack.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 4

Saga creatures have two sections to their text boxes. The first section, above the type line, contains their chapter abilities, and the second section, below the type line, contains any other abilities (or italicized flavor text). Any abilities in the latter section aren't chapter abilities and apply no matter how many lore counters are on the creature.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 5

While resolving Valefor's first chapter ability, the next opponent in turn order chooses a creature with the greatest mana value among creatures they control, then each other opponent in turn order does the same. Then the chosen creatures are returned to their owners' hands simultaneously.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 6

If a creature on the battlefield has {X} in its mana cost, X is 0 for the purpose of determining its mana value.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 7

Once a chapter ability has triggered, the ability on the stack won't be affected if the Saga gains or loses counters, or if it leaves the battlefield.

Summon: Valefor — ruling 8

Removing lore counters won't cause a previous chapter ability to trigger. If lore counters are removed from a Saga, the appropriate chapter abilities will trigger again when the Saga receives more lore counters.

Summon: Valefor : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Summon: Valefor 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

(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after IV.) I — Sonic Wings — Each opponent chooses a creature with the greatest mana value among creatures they control. Return those creatures to their owners' hands. II, III, IV — Tap up to one target creature and put a stun counter on it. Flying

How it works : Summon: Valefor

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Each symbol on the left of a Saga's text box represents a chapter ability. A chapter ability is a triggered ability that triggers when a lore counter that is put on the Saga causes the number of lore counters on the Saga to become equal to or greater than the ability's chapter number. Chapter abilities are put onto the stack and may be responded to.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Once the number of lore counters on a Saga is greater than or equal to the greatest number among its chapter abilities, the Saga's controller sacrifices it as soon as its chapter ability has left the stack, most likely by resolving or being countered. This state-based action doesn't use the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
As a Saga enters, its controller puts a lore counter on it. As your first main phase begins (immediately after your draw step), you put another lore counter on each Saga you control. Putting a lore counter on a Saga in either of these ways doesn't use the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Saga creatures have two sections to their text boxes. The first section, above the type line, contains their chapter abilities, and the second section, below the type line, contains any other abilities (or italicized flavor text). Any abilities in the latter section aren't chapter abilities and apply no matter how many lore counters are on the creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
While resolving Valefor's first chapter ability, the next opponent in turn order chooses a creature with the greatest mana value among creatures they control, then each other opponent in turn order does the same. Then the chosen creatures are returned to their owners' hands simultaneously.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is 0 for the purpose of determining its mana value.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Once a chapter ability has triggered, the ability on the stack won't be affected if the Saga gains or loses counters, or if it leaves the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Removing lore counters won't cause a previous chapter ability to trigger. If lore counters are removed from a Saga, the appropriate chapter abilities will trigger again when the Saga receives more lore counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
A chapter ability doesn't trigger if a lore counter is put on a Saga that already had a number of lore counters greater than or equal to that chapter's number. For example, the third lore counter put on a Saga causes the chapter III ability to trigger, but chapters I and II won't trigger again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If multiple chapter abilities trigger at the same time, their controller puts them on the stack in any order. If any of them require targets, those targets are chosen as you put the abilities on the stack, before any of those abilities resolve.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#11June 6, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Due to a rules change that takes effect with this release (see below for details), a Saga that somehow loses all of its chapter abilities will not be sacrificed as a state-based action. It will also not gain a lore counter at the beginning of each of its controller's first main phases.
No other card is named in this ruling.