Magic: The Gathering is a complex and constantly evolving game that features countless cards with unique abilities and mechanics. One of the more recent additions to the game is the “Monarch” mechanic, which was introduced in the Conspiracy: Take the Crown set in 2016.
The Monarch is a player designation that grants special status to the player with the title. When a player is the Monarch, they get to draw a card at the beginning of their end step. This can be a powerful advantage, especially in long games where players are running low on resources.
But the Monarch is not a permanent designation. Other players can steal the title by dealing combat damage to the current Monarch, at which point the attacker becomes the new Monarch. This means that players need to be strategic in their efforts to gain and maintain the title.
What is the Monarch in MTG?
The Monarch mechanic is a unique feature in Magic: The Gathering that adds an interesting twist to gameplay. It is not a card itself, but rather a player designation that is introduced into the game through certain cards. When a player becomes the Monarch, they are granted special status and the ability to draw an additional card at the beginning of their end step.
There are several cards that utilize the Monarch mechanic in MTG, including Thorn of the Black Rose, Crown-Hunter Hireling, Queen Marchesa, Custodi Lich, and Skyline Despot. These cards introduce the Monarch role into the game when played by a player.
The Monarch mechanic is present in two MTG sets: Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Commander Legends. In these sets, there are 31 different cards that involve the Monarch in some way, with a fairly even distribution among the different colors.
While the Monarch mechanic may not be the most popular or common feature in MTG, it can certainly create a unique and intriguing game when combined with supporting cards. Playing with the Monarch can force players into a more political game, as players may try to steal the title from one another in order to gain the advantage of drawing additional cards.
Overall, the Monarch mechanic is a fascinating addition to MTG that adds complexity and depth to gameplay. If you’re interested in trying out this mechanic, consider using cards from Commander Legends to create a Monarch-focused deck.
What Can the Monarch Do?
The Monarch is a player designation in Magic: The Gathering that offers two triggered abilities. The first ability is the most coveted by players, as the Monarch is allowed to draw an additional card at the beginning of their end step. This gives the Monarch a significant advantage over other players and can open up new strategic options.
To become the Monarch, a player must have the status at the beginning of their end step. If they lose the designation before their next turn, they will not be able to draw an extra card. However, if a player gains the status during their turn, they will be able to draw a card at the beginning of their end step.
The second ability associated with the Monarch is the way in which the designation switches between players. When a player deals combat damage to the Monarch, they lose their title and the attacker becomes the new Monarch. This is the main way in which the Monarch designation changes hands during gameplay.
It’s important to note that the Monarch mechanic operates a bit differently than other triggered abilities in MTG. Typically, when an ability is triggered, the player who activated the ability becomes the controller. However, with the Monarch, the triggered abilities are considered to have no source. This means that whoever is the Monarch when the abilities are triggered, is in control of the abilities. Even if the ability causes the Monarch to switch between players, the original Monarch who triggered the ability remains in control of it.
How to Become the Monarch in MTG
There are two primary ways to become the Monarch during a game. The first way is to play a card that grants you the designation of Monarch. This is the only way to become the Monarch if the role has not been introduced into the game yet. Queen Marchesa is an example of a card that allows you to become the Monarch when it enters the battlefield.
If a player is currently the Monarch and you play a card that designates you as the Monarch, the other player immediately loses their status and you take over the role and associated abilities.
The second way to become the Monarch is to take it from the current Monarch through combat. If a creature you control inflicts combat damage on the current Monarch, the designation will immediately switch over to you. This creates an opportunity for the Monarch status to switch potentially every turn, even if there are not many Monarch cards involved.
There is a third, less common, way for a player to become the Monarch. If the current Monarch leaves the game, typically due to being eliminated, one of the remaining players will become the Monarch. The player who is currently active when the Monarch leaves the game will take over the role from the eliminated player. This method of becoming the Monarch is less predictable and harder to strategize around.
Overall, becoming the Monarch in MTG can provide a significant advantage during gameplay. Players must be strategic in their efforts to gain and maintain the Monarch status, and must also be mindful of the various ways in which the designation can change hands.
What Happens When the Monarch Leaves the Game?
When a player who is the Monarch leaves the game, their objects and associated effects also leave the game. However, if there is an active player when the Monarch leaves, that player immediately becomes the new Monarch. If there is no active player, the next player in turn order becomes the Monarch. If none of the remaining players are able to become the Monarch, the Monarch leaves the game without being taken over by another player. However, a player can still be designated as the Monarch if they meet the conditions on a card that declares them to be the Monarch.
Is the Monarch Mechanic Legal in EDH?
The Monarch mechanic is legal in Commander MTG and can be played by choosing a legendary creature monarch card as your commander. Queen Marchesa and Jared Carthalion, True Heir are two good options that grant you status as the Monarch upon entering the battlefield, and their colors dictate the possibilities for the other 99 cards in your deck.
What About Modern?
However, the Monarch mechanic is not legal in Modern MTG because the sets that include cards with the Monarch mechanic, Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Commander Legends, are non-standard sets. This means that the cards that facilitate the Monarch mechanic are not legal in Modern and players cannot become the Monarch in a game of Modern.
Should I Play With Monarch Cards?
While Monarch and its associated cards are not staple cards for most decks, it can be a successful strategy for specific types of games. The Monarch mechanic fits into a niche of political, multiplayer games, and can control the flow of the game if used correctly. Knowing when to include Monarch cards in your deck can be productive and enjoyable, but they are not a must-have for most decks.
Monarch is a good mechanic for Commander MTG and is supported in the Commander Legends set, which is intended for the Commander format. Monarch functions well in most multiplayer games, but the number of players will affect strategy since the Monarch can easily switch between players. Introducing the Monarch will incite action and combat from other players, shift the focus of the game, and may introduce alliances. Therefore, be prepared for its effects and take advantage of them.
