There and Back Again — ruling 1

As the Ring tempts you, you get an emblem named The Ring if you don't have one. Then your emblem gains its next ability and you choose a creature you control to become (or remain) your Ring-bearer.

There and Back Again — ruling 2

The Ring can tempt you even if you don't control a creature. In this case, abilities that trigger "whenever the Ring tempts you" will still trigger.

There and Back Again — ruling 3

If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer.

There and Back Again — ruling 4

The Ring gains its abilities in order from top to bottom. Once it gains an ability, it has that ability for the rest of the game.

There and Back Again — ruling 5

Each time the Ring tempts you, you must choose a creature if you control one.

There and Back Again — ruling 6

Each player can have only one emblem named The Ring and only one Ring-bearer at a time.

There and Back Again — ruling 7

Some spells and abilities that cause the Ring to tempt you may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Ring won't tempt you.

There and Back Again : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

There and Back Again 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 — Up to one target creature can't block for as long as you control this Saga. The Ring tempts you. II — Search your library for a Mountain card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle. III — Create Smaug, a legendary 6/6 red Dragon creature token with flying, haste, and "When Smaug dies, create fourteen Treasure tokens."

Complete guide

Embark on a grand adventure with There and Back Again, a powerful red Saga that perfectly captures the journey of Bilbo Baggins. This enchantment provides utility, ramp, and an explosive finish by summoning one of the most iconic dragons in fantasy history.

What it does

There and Back Again is a three-chapter Saga that scales in impact. The first chapter disables a blocker and advances your Ring progress. The second chapter provides mana fixing by fetching a Mountain card directly to the battlefield. The final chapter creates Smaug, a massive legendary Dragon token that yields a staggering fourteen Treasure tokens upon its death, potentially ending the game on the spot.

How it resolves step by step

Step 1: When the Saga enters the battlefield, chapter I triggers. You choose up to one target creature; if it's still a legal target when the ability resolves, it cannot block as long as the Saga remains on the battlefield. Simultaneously, the Ring tempts you. Step 2: On your next turn, after your draw step, chapter II triggers. You search your library for any card with the Mountain subtype, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle. Step 3: On the following turn, chapter III triggers. You create the legendary 6/6 Smaug token. After this ability resolves, you sacrifice the Saga.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error involves the 'can't block' effect from chapter I. This restriction lasts only as long as you control There and Back Again; once the Saga is sacrificed after chapter III, the affected creature is free to block again. Additionally, remember that the Ring tempts you even if you don't control a creature. However, if you chose a target creature for chapter I and that target becomes illegal (e.g., it gains Hexproof), the entire ability fails to resolve, and the Ring will not tempt you.

When to play it

Play There and Back Again when you need to push damage through or when you are preparing for a massive mana turn. Since Smaug has haste, he can attack immediately. The fourteen Treasure tokens generated when Smaug dies are ideal for fueling high-cost spells or activated abilities, making this card a must-include for decks that can reliably sacrifice their own creatures or benefit from high artifact counts.

Interaction examples

The Hoard's Impact

There and Back Again

Purphoros, God of the Forge Smaug

Smaug

With Purphoros, God of the Forge on the battlefield, the moment chapter III of There and Back Again resolves, Smaug enters the battlefield. This triggers Purphoros, dealing 2 damage to each opponent. If you later sacrifice Smaug, you create fourteen Treasure tokens. Since these are artifacts and not creatures, they won't trigger Purphoros again, but they provide 14 mana to activate Purphoros's firebreathing ability multiple times.

Smaug's Fiery Entrance

There and Back Again

Warstorm Surge Smaug

Smaug

When chapter III triggers while you control Warstorm Surge, the Smaug token enters the battlefield. Warstorm Surge triggers, allowing Smaug to deal 6 damage (his power) to any target. Because Smaug has haste, he can then immediately attack for another 6 damage, creating a 12-point life total swing in a single turn.

Treasure Overflow

Smaug

Treasure

When Smaug dies, his triggered ability puts fourteen individual Treasure tokens onto the battlefield. Each Treasure can be tapped and sacrificed to add one mana of any color. This allows you to generate a total of fourteen mana, which can be used to cast massive spells or multiple smaller spells in a single turn.

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

How it works : There and Back Again

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
As the Ring tempts you, you get an emblem named The Ring if you don't have one. Then your emblem gains its next ability and you choose a creature you control to become (or remain) your Ring-bearer.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The Ring can tempt you even if you don't control a creature. In this case, abilities that trigger "whenever the Ring tempts you" will still trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The Ring gains its abilities in order from top to bottom. Once it gains an ability, it has that ability for the rest of the game.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Each time the Ring tempts you, you must choose a creature if you control one.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Each player can have only one emblem named The Ring and only one Ring-bearer at a time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells and abilities that cause the Ring to tempt you may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Ring won't tempt you.
No other card is named in this ruling.