The Fact Checker 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
If you would guess a card, instead just choose the outcome you want. At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, look at the top card of their library. Tell them the name of that card. They tell you its mana cost, type line, power, and toughness. Then reveal that card. If they got anything wrong, draw a card.
Complete guide
The Fact Checker is a unique Azorius legendary creature that punishes your opponents for their lack of honesty or knowledge. By forcing your opponents to correctly identify their own cards, it creates a game of skill and memory that rewards you with card advantage. It also allows you to bypass randomness whenever a card asks you to guess an outcome.
Bypassing the Guesswork
The Fact Checker's first ability is a static replacement effect. In any scenario where a card effect requires you to 'guess' a card or an attribute of a card, you simply skip the guessing process and choose the result you prefer. This turns cards that rely on chance into guaranteed successes for you, as long as the effect uses the specific word 'guess'.
The Upkeep Examination
At the start of each opponent's upkeep, a triggered ability goes on the stack. First, you look at the top card of their library without showing them. You then announce the name of the card to the opponent. The opponent must then state the card's mana cost, type line, power, and toughness. Finally, you reveal the card to everyone. If any piece of information provided by the opponent was incorrect—whether they forgot a subtype or got the power wrong—you draw a card.
Strategic Implementation
This card shines when you can double its triggered abilities or when playing against decks with complex cards. If a card doesn't have a power or toughness (like a noncreature spell), the opponent should state that it has none. Any discrepancy between what they say and what is printed on the revealed card results in a draw for you.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumDuring your opponent's upkeep, you look at the top card and see Solemn Simulacrum. You tell them the name. If the opponent says it is an 'Artifact' but forgets to say 'Creature' or 'Golem' for the type line, they have failed. You reveal the card, and because their type line description was incomplete/wrong, you draw a card.
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Human' or 'Wizard' as it entered, The Fact Checker's upkeep ability triggers twice. You will look at the top card, have them describe it, and reveal it twice. If they fail either time, you draw a card. Note that if the first trigger doesn't move the card from the top of the library, you will be looking at the same card for the second trigger.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : The Fact Checker
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
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Meta decks with The Fact Checker
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