Sylvan Library + Words of Worship/War

[Angelfire]

I have heard varying things on how these interact. Please explain their interaction/synergy.

[Malchar]

At the beginning of your draw step, you may draw two additional cards. If you do, choose two cards in your hand drawn this turn. For each of those cards, pay 4 life or put the card on top of your library.


1: The next time you would draw a card this turn, Words of War deals 2 damage to target creature or player instead.

You can replace the draws from Sylvan Library with a Words of W... effect without having to pay any life. The reason is that Sylvan Library only cares about "If you do" draw cards. If you replace those draws, then you obviously aren't actually drawing cards.

[Angelfire]

Thats what I thought. That is pretty good. Maybe not competitive good, but for casual or fun it is strong.

[luma]

Actually, the "if you do" -part means "if you do choose to draw extra cards". For example, if you draw your card for the turn, then decide to draw two extra cards for the Sylvan Library but also activate a Words twice, you end up replacing both of your Sylvan Library -draws but still have to put the one drawn card back on your library or pay 4 life. Library doesn't care if you actually draw the cards, only that you chose to do so (even if you replace the draws by something else). Only if you actually have no cards in hand that you draw this turn (you replaced all three), you don't need to put cards back or pay life. Otherwise, the last part of Library's ability will happen and make you do as much as you can.