Ulamog, the Defiler 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
When you cast this spell, target opponent exiles the top half of their library, rounded up. Ward—Sacrifice two permanents. Ulamog enters with a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to the greatest mana value among cards in exile. Ulamog has annihilator X, where X is the number of +1/+1 counters on it.
Complete guide
Ulamog, the Defiler is a terrifying presence on the battlefield, representing the absolute erasure of your opponent's resources. This legendary Eldrazi combines library destruction with a scaling power level that makes it one of the most formidable threats in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding its cast triggers and how it counts mana values in exile is key to mastering this titan.
The Cast Trigger and Protection
Unlike many creatures, Ulamog's first impact happens before it even hits the table. When you cast it, a triggered ability goes on the stack targeting an opponent to exile the top half of their library. Because this is a 'cast' trigger, the ability resolves even if Ulamog itself is countered. Once it is on the battlefield, Ulamog protects itself with Ward—Sacrifice two permanents, forcing your opponent to decimate their own board just to target it.
Determining Strength Through Exile
As Ulamog enters the battlefield, it checks all cards currently in exile—both yours and your opponents'. It counts the greatest mana value among those cards and enters with that many +1/+1 counters. This check happens as part of the resolution of the creature spell (or any effect putting it onto the battlefield). If Ulamog is being put onto the battlefield from exile, it actually sees itself in exile and can use its own mana value of 10 to determine the counters.
Annihilator X Explained
Ulamog's Annihilator ability is dynamic. The value of X is determined by the number of +1/+1 counters currently on Ulamog at the moment the ability resolves. When Ulamog attacks, the ability triggers during the Declare Attackers step. The defending player must sacrifice X permanents before they even get the chance to declare blockers, potentially removing their only ways to survive the combat damage.
Strategy and Timing
To maximize Ulamog, aim to exile high-mana cards earlier in the game. Since its Annihilator value depends on its counters, protecting those counters is vital. Note that if an effect removes counters from Ulamog after it has entered, its Annihilator value will decrease accordingly. Conversely, adding counters through other means will increase the number of permanents your opponent must sacrifice.
Interaction examples
Kozilek, Butcher of TruthIf a Kozilek, Butcher of Truth has been exiled earlier in the game (perhaps by a Swords to Plowshares), Ulamog, the Defiler will see that Kozilek has a mana value of 10. When Ulamog enters, it will receive ten +1/+1 counters. When Ulamog attacks, its Annihilator X ability will check these counters, forcing the defending player to sacrifice 10 permanents.
Summon: BahamutIf an opponent's library contains Summon: Bahamut and it is moved to exile by Ulamog's cast trigger, Ulamog will recognize the mana value of 9 from that card. If no higher mana value card exists in exile, Ulamog enters as a 16/16 (its 7/7 base plus nine +1/+1 counters) and gains Annihilator 9.
If Ulamog, the Defiler is moved from exile to the battlefield (for example, by a 'blink' effect or a card that casts it from exile), it 'sees' itself in the exile zone during the replacement effect that grants counters. Since its own mana value is 10, it will ensure it enters with at least ten +1/+1 counters, assuming no higher mana value card is present.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Ulamog, the Defiler
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Ulamog, the Defiler has received a minor update to clarify that the target of the first ability exiles the top half of their library. Its updated Oracle text appears above.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Ulamog, the Defiler's first ability will resolve before Ulamog does. If Ulamog is countered or otherwise leaves the stack in response to its triggered ability, the triggered ability will still resolve as normal.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If Ulamog is entering the battlefield directly from exile, it will see itself when determining which card has the greatest mana value among cards in exile. If that's Ulamog, which seems likely, it will enter with ten +1/+1 counters on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Use the number of +1/+1 counters on Ulamog at the time its annihilator ability resolves to determine how many permanents defending player should sacrifice.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player sacrifices the required number of permanents of their choice before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won't be able to block.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn't blocked, it simply won't deal combat damage to anything.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Ulamog, the Defiler
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.