Ulrich of the Krallenhorde // Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Ulrich of the Krallenhorde // Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha 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

Whenever this creature enters or transforms into Ulrich of the Krallenhorde, target creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn. At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Ulrich of the Krallenhorde. Whenever this creature transforms into Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha, you may have it fight target non-Werewolf creature you don't control. At the beginning of each upkeep, if a player cast two or more spells last turn, transform Ulrich.

Complete guide

Ulrich of the Krallenhorde is a powerful legendary Werewolf that commands the battlefield through both raw physical buffs and aggressive dominance. As the alpha, he swings the momentum of the game every time he enters the fray or shifts his form under the moonlight.

Dual Nature of the Alpha

Ulrich features two distinct triggered abilities depending on his form. As a Human, he provides a massive +4/+4 boost to a target creature whenever he enters or transforms back into his Human side. Once he transforms into Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha, he gains a 'fight' ability, allowing him to challenge a non-Werewolf creature your opponent controls. Both forms follow standard Werewolf transformation rules: they check the previous turn's spellcasting activity at the start of every upkeep.

Stepping Through the Transformation

When Ulrich enters the battlefield, his +4/+4 ability goes on the stack immediately. During an upkeep, if the conditions for transformation are met (zero spells cast for the Human side, or two spells by a single player for the Werewolf side), the transform ability triggers. If Ulrich transforms into the Uncontested Alpha, you choose a target non-Werewolf creature. You only decide whether to actually fight when the ability resolves. Note that if the target becomes illegal or Ulrich leaves the battlefield before resolution, no damage is dealt.

Strategic Considerations

It is important to remember that the back face (Uncontested Alpha) only transforms back to the Human side if a *single* player cast two or more spells. If two different opponents each cast one spell, Ulrich stays in his Werewolf form. Additionally, because his Human side's buff triggers on both entering and transforming, you can repeatedly benefit from the power boost by controlling the flow of spells each turn.

Interaction examples

The Alpha's Challenge

Solemn Simulacrum

If Ulrich transforms into Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha during your upkeep, his ability triggers. You target an opponent's Solemn Simulacrum. Upon resolution, you choose to fight; Ulrich (a 6/6) deals 6 damage to the Golem, and the Golem (a 2/2) deals 2 damage to Ulrich. The Golem is destroyed, and its 'dies' ability will then trigger, allowing its controller to draw a card.

Doubling the Dominance

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human' or 'Werewolf', Ulrich's triggered abilities will trigger an additional time. When he enters as a Human, you get two instances of the +4/+4 buff. If he transforms into his Alpha side, you get two separate fight triggers, potentially allowing him to fight two different non-Werewolf creatures (though he carries damage over between fights).

Maintaining the Human Form

Eldritch Moon Checklist

Using a checklist card to represent Ulrich in your deck ensures the physical card isn't damaged by repeated flipping. If you cast Ulrich and then your opponent casts a spell on their turn, Ulrich will not transform during the next upkeep because at least one spell was cast. This allows you to keep his Human-side stats and prepare for a turn where no spells are cast to trigger the +4/+4 buff again later via transformation.

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

How it works : Ulrich of the Krallenhorde // Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 13, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
The abilities that transform a Werewolf back and forth look at the entire previous turn, even if the Werewolf with that ability wasn't on the battlefield for some or all of that turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 13, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
You choose the target of the Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha's first ability as it goes on the stack, but you choose whether or not to fight as that ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 13, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
If the targeted creature is an illegal target when Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha's first ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn't resolve.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4July 13, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
If Ulrich is no longer on the battlefield as Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha's first ability resolves, the targeted creature won't deal or be dealt damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5July 13, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha's last ability only triggers if a single player has cast two or more spells during the previous turn. If multiple players each cast just one spell during the previous turn, the ability won't trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6July 13, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
To trigger the Werewolf's back face's transform ability, a single player must have cast two or more spells during the previous turn. If multiple players each cast just one spell during the previous turn, the ability won't trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.