The Chain Veil — ruling 1

For the first ability, it doesn’t matter whether the planeswalker is still on the battlefield as your end step begins. If you activated one of its loyalty abilities that turn, The Chain Veil’s triggered ability won’t trigger.

The Chain Veil — ruling 2

Because the last ability modifies the rules of the game, it affects not only planeswalkers you control when it resolves, but also planeswalkers that come under your control later in the turn.

The Chain Veil — ruling 3

After the last ability resolves, you’ll essentially be able to activate a loyalty ability of each planeswalker you control a total of twice during your turn. The timing rules for when you can activate loyalty abilities apply each time; it must be your main phase and the stack must be empty.

The Chain Veil — ruling 4

The second loyalty ability you activate doesn’t have to be the same as the first ability. For example, you could activate a planeswalker’s first ability twice, or you could activate a planeswalker’s first ability, then activate its second ability.

The Chain Veil — ruling 5

Each additional time The Chain Veil’s last ability resolves will allow you to activate a loyalty ability of each planeswalker you control an additional time. For example, if you activate The Chain Veil’s last ability, untap it, then activate it again, you can activate a loyalty ability of a planeswalker you control three times that turn.

The Chain Veil : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

The Chain Veil 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 end step, if you didn't activate a loyalty ability of a planeswalker this turn, you lose 2 life. , : For each planeswalker you control, you may activate one of its loyalty abilities once this turn as though none of its loyalty abilities have been activated this turn.

Complete guide

The Chain Veil is a powerful legendary artifact that allows you to push your planeswalkers beyond their normal limits. By breaking the standard once-per-turn restriction on loyalty abilities, it serves as a cornerstone for 'Superfriends' decks. Be careful, however, as the veil demands a blood price if its power isn't utilized.

Unlocking Multiple Activations

The primary function of The Chain Veil is its activated ability. By paying four mana and tapping it, you modify the rules of the game for the remainder of the turn. This allows every planeswalker you currently control, and even those that enter the battlefield later in the turn, to use a loyalty ability an additional time. If you find a way to untap The Chain Veil and activate it again, these effects stack, allowing for three or more activations per planeswalker.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you pay the four mana and tap The Chain Veil. Once the ability resolves, the game state now permits an extra loyalty activation for your planeswalkers. You must still follow normal timing rules: it must be your main phase and the stack must be empty. You can choose to use the same loyalty ability twice or two different ones, provided you can pay the loyalty costs. At the beginning of your end step, the game checks if you activated at least one loyalty ability this turn; if you haven't, you lose 2 life.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that The Chain Veil doesn't care if the planeswalker you activated earlier is still on the battlefield. As long as you activated any loyalty ability during the turn, the end-step penalty is avoided. Also, remember that this is a rule-modifying effect. If you activate the Veil and then play a new planeswalker, that new arrival can use its abilities twice that turn as well.

When to Use the Veil

Timing is crucial. You should typically activate The Chain Veil during one of your main phases before you have exhausted your planeswalker's natural activations for the turn. This ensures you maximize the value of the 'extra' activation. If you are low on life, ensure you have a planeswalker ready to use so you don't suffer the triggered ability's 2-life penalty during your end step.

Interaction examples

Setting Up Your Board

Solemn Simulacrum

Commander's Sphere

While The Chain Veil empowers planeswalkers, you need resources to fuel it. You can cast Solemn Simulacrum to ramp into the mana required for the Veil's activation. If you are short one mana, tapping Commander's Sphere provides the necessary color to reach the four mana needed to tap the Veil, ensuring you can use your planeswalkers twice and avoid the end-step life loss.

Basic Activation Flow

If you control a planeswalker during your main phase, you can activate one of its loyalty abilities. Afterward, you pay four mana and tap The Chain Veil. Because the stack is now empty and it is still your main phase, you may activate a second loyalty ability on that same planeswalker. This could be the same ability you just used or a different one.

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

How it works : The Chain Veil

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 18, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
For the first ability, it doesn’t matter whether the planeswalker is still on the battlefield as your end step begins. If you activated one of its loyalty abilities that turn, The Chain Veil’s triggered ability won’t trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 18, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
Because the last ability modifies the rules of the game, it affects not only planeswalkers you control when it resolves, but also planeswalkers that come under your control later in the turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 18, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
After the last ability resolves, you’ll essentially be able to activate a loyalty ability of each planeswalker you control a total of twice during your turn. The timing rules for when you can activate loyalty abilities apply each time; it must be your main phase and the stack must be empty.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4July 18, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
The second loyalty ability you activate doesn’t have to be the same as the first ability. For example, you could activate a planeswalker’s first ability twice, or you could activate a planeswalker’s first ability, then activate its second ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5July 18, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
Each additional time The Chain Veil’s last ability resolves will allow you to activate a loyalty ability of each planeswalker you control an additional time. For example, if you activate The Chain Veil’s last ability, untap it, then activate it again, you can activate a loyalty ability of a planeswalker you control three times that turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.