Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 1

Spells that were cast before a permanent with flurry count. If that permanent was the first spell you cast that turn, the next spell you cast that turn is your second spell.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 2

Taigam’s ability and the copy it creates resolve before the spell it’s copying. They resolve even if the original spell is countered before the copy is created. Note that Taigam’s ability exiles the original spell as the ability resolves, which will remove that spell from the stack before it can resolve.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 3

The copy will have the same targets and modes as the original spell. If the spell divides damage or distributes counters among a number of targets, those choices apply to the copy.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 4

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.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 5

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.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 6

The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 7

A resolving copy of a permanent spell becomes a token. That token isn’t “created” and won’t interact with abilities that care about tokens being created.

Taigam, Master Opportunist — ruling 8

Suspend is a keyword that represents three abilities. The first is a static ability that allows you to exile the card from your hand with the specified number of time counters (the number before the dash) on it by paying its suspend cost (listed after the dash). The second is a triggered ability that removes a time counter from the suspended card at the beginning of each of your upkeeps. The third is a triggered ability that gives you the option to cast the card when the last time counter is removed. Note that if a card is exiled and then “gains suspend,” only the two triggered abilities are relevant.

Taigam, Master Opportunist : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Taigam, Master Opportunist 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

Flurry — Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, copy it, then exile the spell you cast with four time counters on it. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. (At the beginning of its owner's upkeep, they remove a time counter. When the last is removed, they may play it without paying its mana cost. If it's a creature, it has haste.)

Complete guide

Taigam, Master Opportunist brings the Flurry mechanic to your tabletop, rewarding careful sequencing with powerful spell duplication. By mastering the art of the second spell, you can gain immediate value and set up a delayed threat for future turns. This guide will help you navigate the intricacies of copying spells and managing time counters effectively.

What It Does

Taigam, Master Opportunist monitors how many spells you have cast each turn. When you cast your second spell, his Flurry ability triggers, creating a copy of that spell on the stack. After the copy is made, the original spell is exiled with four time counters on it and gains Suspend. This means you get the effect of the spell right now via the copy, but the physical card is tucked away to be cast again for free in four turns.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast your second spell of the turn, putting it on the stack and paying all costs. This triggers Taigam's Flurry ability, which goes on top of that spell. When the Flurry ability resolves, it creates a copy of the spell; if it is a permanent spell, the copy will resolve and become a token. Finally, the Flurry ability exiles the original spell card and places four time counters on it. Because it gains Suspend, you will remove a counter at the start of each of your upkeeps, eventually casting the card again when the last counter is removed.

Common Mistakes

A frequent point of confusion is what happens to the original spell. Because Flurry exiles the original spell as the ability resolves, that specific spell never actually resolves during the turn it was first cast—only the copy does. Additionally, remember that Taigam counts himself if he was the first spell you cast that turn. The very next spell you cast will trigger Flurry, even if Taigam just entered the battlefield.

When to Play It

Taigam is best utilized in decks with low-cost spells that can reliably trigger Flurry early. Since the original spell is suspended for four turns, you want to choose targets that provide long-term value or cards that are powerful enough to justify the wait. It is also a fantastic way to double up on permanent spells, as the copy becomes a token, effectively giving you two permanents for the price of one.

Interaction examples

The Artifact Sequence

Taigam, Master Opportunist

Foundry Inspector

Ornithopter of Paradise

Assume Taigam, Master Opportunist is already on the battlefield. You cast Foundry Inspector as your first spell of the turn. Then, you cast Ornithopter of Paradise as your second spell. Taigam's Flurry triggers. The ability resolves, creating a copy of Ornithopter of Paradise. This copy resolves and becomes a token on the battlefield. Then, the original Ornithopter of Paradise card is exiled with four time counters and gains Suspend. You now have an Ornithopter token immediately and the promise of the actual card in four turns.

Counting Taigam

Taigam, Master Opportunist

Ornithopter of Paradise

You cast Taigam, Master Opportunist from your hand as your first spell of the turn. After he resolves and enters the battlefield, you cast Ornithopter of Paradise. Even though Taigam wasn't on the field when he himself was cast, he 'remembers' he was the first spell. The Ornithopter is your second spell, so Taigam's Flurry triggers, copying the Thopter and exiling the original into Suspend.

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

How it works : Taigam, Master Opportunist

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Spells that were cast before a permanent with flurry count. If that permanent was the first spell you cast that turn, the next spell you cast that turn is your second spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Taigam’s ability and the copy it creates resolve before the spell it’s copying. They resolve even if the original spell is countered before the copy is created. Note that Taigam’s ability exiles the original spell as the ability resolves, which will remove that spell from the stack before it can resolve.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#3April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will have the same targets and modes as the original spell. If the spell divides damage or distributes counters among a number of targets, those choices apply to the copy.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#4April 4, 2025· 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.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#5April 4, 2025· 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.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#6April 4, 2025· 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 won’t trigger.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#7April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
A resolving copy of a permanent spell becomes a token. That token isn’t “created” and won’t interact with abilities that care about tokens being created.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#8April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Suspend is a keyword that represents three abilities. The first is a static ability that allows you to exile the card from your hand with the specified number of time counters (the number before the dash) on it by paying its suspend cost (listed after the dash). The second is a triggered ability that removes a time counter from the suspended card at the beginning of each of your upkeeps. The third is a triggered ability that gives you the option to cast the card when the last time counter is removed. Note that if a card is exiled and then “gains suspend,” only the two triggered abilities are relevant.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect refers to a “suspended card,” that means a card that (1) has suspend, (2) is in exile, and (3) has one or more time counters on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If the first triggered ability of suspend (the one that removes time counters) is countered, no time counter is removed. The ability will trigger again at the beginning of the card’s owner’s next upkeep.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#11April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
When the last time counter is removed, the second triggered ability of suspend (the one that lets you cast the card) triggers. It doesn’t matter why the last time counter was removed or what effect removed it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#12April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If the second triggered ability is countered, the card can’t be cast. It remains exiled with no time counters on it, and it’s no longer suspended.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#13April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
As the second triggered ability of suspend resolves, you may cast the card. Timing permissions based on the card’s type are ignored. If you choose not to (or can’t) cast the card, it remains exiled with no time counters on it, and it’s no longer suspended.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#14April 4, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” such as with suspend, you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those if you want to cast the card.
No other card is named in this ruling.