Mystic Remora
Cumulative upkeep {1} (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.) Whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell, you may draw a card unless that player pays {4}.
Rulings (2)
Oct 2, 2025 · Cumulative upkeep is a triggered ability that imposes an increasing cost on a permanent. "Cumulative upkeep [cost]" means "At the beginning of your upkeep, if this permanent is on the battlefield, put an age counter on this permanent. Then you may pay [cost] for each age counter on it. If you don't, sacrifice it."
Oct 2, 2025 · Paying cumulative upkeep is always optional. If it's not paid, the permanent with cumulative upkeep is sacrificed. Partial payments of the total cumulative upkeep cost can't be made. For example, if Mystic Remora has three age counters on it when its cumulative upkeep ability triggers, it gets another age counter and then its controller chooses to either pay {4} or sacrifice it.
Where it’s played now
Inclusion by archetype · cEDH
| Archetype | Format | Inclusion | Copies | Decks (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraum, Ludevic's Opus / Tymna the Weaver | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 13 |
| Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker / Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 6 |
| Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator / Vial Smasher the Fierce | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 4 |
| Ral, Monsoon Mage | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 4 |
| Sisay, Weatherlight Captain | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 4 |
| Thrasios, Triton Hero / Tymna the Weaver | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 4 |
| Vivi Ornitier | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 4 |
| Krark, the Thumbless / Thrasios, Triton Hero | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 3 |