The Eldest Reborn — ruling 1

When the first chapter ability of The Eldest Reborn resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it's an opponent's turn, that opponent) chooses a creature or planeswalker they control, then each other opponent in turn order (if any) does the same. All chosen permanents are then sacrificed at the same time. Players will know the choices made by earlier players when making their choices.

The Eldest Reborn — ruling 2

When the second chapter ability of The Eldest Reborn resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it's an opponent's turn, that opponent) chooses a card in hand without revealing it, then each other opponent in turn order (if any) does the same. All chosen cards are then discarded at the same time.

The Eldest Reborn — ruling 3

In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, the permanent you control from The Eldest Reborn's final chapter ability is exiled.

The Eldest Reborn — ruling 4

As a Saga enters the battlefield, its controller puts a lore counter on it. As your precombat 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.

The Eldest Reborn — ruling 5

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.

The Eldest Reborn — ruling 6

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 III chapter ability to trigger, but I and II won't trigger again.

The Eldest Reborn — 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.

The Eldest Reborn — ruling 8

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.

The Eldest Reborn : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

The Eldest Reborn 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 III.) I — Each opponent sacrifices a creature or planeswalker of their choice. II — Each opponent discards a card. III — Put target creature or planeswalker card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control.

Complete guide

The Eldest Reborn is a powerful Saga from Dominaria that tells a tale of attrition, resource denial, and eventual resurrection. Over three turns, it dismantles your opponent's board and hand before returning a champion to the battlefield under your command.

A Story in Three Chapters

As a Saga, The Eldest Reborn enters with one lore counter, triggering its first ability. You add another counter after each of your draw steps. Chapter I forces each opponent to sacrifice a creature or planeswalker. Chapter II forces each opponent to discard a card. Finally, Chapter III allows you to reanimate a creature or planeswalker from any graveyard to your side of the field.

Understanding the Resolution

When a chapter ability triggers, it goes on the stack. For Chapter I, opponents choose their permanent in turn order, starting with the next opponent in line. This means later players know what earlier players chose before making their own decision. Once everyone has chosen, all permanents are sacrificed simultaneously. Chapter II works similarly for discarding cards. For Chapter III, you must choose a target creature or planeswalker card in a graveyard as the ability is put on the stack.

Sacrificing the Saga

A Saga is sacrificed as a state-based action after its final chapter ability leaves the stack. This happens whether the ability resolves normally or is countered. If you use an effect to remove lore counters before the third chapter ability triggers, you can repeat the earlier chapters. However, once that third counter is placed and the ability resolves, the Saga is gone.

Strategic Timing

Because Sagas trigger after your draw step, you can use your main phase to prepare for the coming chapter. If you know Chapter III is coming, you might want to use removal on a high-value target in an opponent's hand or on their board to ensure it is in the graveyard and available for you to target when the lore counter is added.

Interaction examples

Single Card Synergy

You cast The Eldest Reborn during your main phase. It enters with one lore counter, and Chapter I triggers. Your opponent, who controls a powerful creature, must sacrifice it. On your next turn, after your draw step, Chapter II triggers, and they discard a card. On the following turn, Chapter III triggers; you target the creature they sacrificed during Chapter I and return it to the battlefield under your control.

Graveyard Interaction

Sanguine Bond

If you use Chapter III of The Eldest Reborn to return a creature that has an 'enters the battlefield' ability that gains you life, it will trigger Sanguine Bond. For example, if you return a creature that gains you 2 life, Sanguine Bond will then trigger, causing a target opponent to lose 2 life.

The Infinite Loop Trap

Exquisite Blood

Sanguine Bond

While The Eldest Reborn does not directly cause life loss or gain, Chapter III can be the catalyst for the famous Exquisite Blood and Sanguine Bond combo. If you use the Saga to return a creature that deals damage to an opponent upon entering, Exquisite Blood triggers to gain you life. That life gain triggers Sanguine Bond to make the opponent lose life, which triggers Exquisite Blood again, creating a loop that ends the game.

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

How it works : The Eldest Reborn

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
When the first chapter ability of The Eldest Reborn resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it's an opponent's turn, that opponent) chooses a creature or planeswalker they control, then each other opponent in turn order (if any) does the same. All chosen permanents are then sacrificed at the same time. Players will know the choices made by earlier players when making their choices.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
When the second chapter ability of The Eldest Reborn resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it's an opponent's turn, that opponent) chooses a card in hand without revealing it, then each other opponent in turn order (if any) does the same. All chosen cards are then discarded at the same time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, the permanent you control from The Eldest Reborn's final chapter ability is exiled.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
As a Saga enters the battlefield, its controller puts a lore counter on it. As your precombat 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.
#5April 27, 2018· 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.
#6April 27, 2018· 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 III chapter ability to trigger, but I and II won't trigger again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7April 27, 2018· 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.
#8April 27, 2018· 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.
#9April 27, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If counters are removed from a Saga, the appropriate chapter abilities will trigger again when the Saga receives lore counters. Removing lore counters won't cause a previous chapter ability to trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10April 27, 2018· 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—in the Dominaria set, this is always three—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.