Printings
Xanathar, Guild Kingpin
Card Information
Type: Legendary Creature — Beholder
Mana Cost: 4
CMC: 6
Part of the Reserved List: No
Color Identity:
Set: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Rarity: Mythic
Collector Number: 239
Oracle Text
At the beginning of your upkeep, choose target opponent. Until end of turn, that player can't cast spells, you may look at the top card of their library any time, you may play the top card of their library, and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast spells this way.
Format Legalities
Card Rulings
- July 23, 2021
The target opponent may still cast spells in response to Xanathar, Guild Kingpin's ability in your upkeep. If that player has somehow become an illegal target for the ability as it tries to resolve, the ability does nothing. They may cast spells and you cannot look at or play the top card of their library.
Source: wotc - July 23, 2021
You'll still pay all costs for spells cast this way, including additional costs. You may also pay alternative costs if any are available.
Source: wotc - July 23, 2021
During your turn, you can look at the top card of the chosen opponent's library whenever you want (with one restriction; see below), even if you don't have priority. This action doesn't use the stack. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand.
Source: wotc - July 23, 2021
If the top card of that library changes while you're casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, you can't look at the new top card until you finish doing so. This means that if you cast a spell from the top of that library, you can't look at the next card until you're done paying for that spell.
Source: wotc - July 23, 2021
Xanathar doesn't change when you can cast spells or play lands. You must still follow all normal timing rules and land play limits.
Source: wotc
Price History
To study a single card is to glimpse the heart of a spell - a frozen moment of ambition, artistry, and arcane intent. Within each glyph lies a spark: a story untold, a duel turned, a destiny altered. Treat it not as mere parchment, dear seeker, but as a shard of the Multiverse itself.