============================================================================== Card Rulings Summary (CHANGES ONLY) Updated 01/02/18 ============================================================================== Rulings are collected from many sources. See credits and disclaimer at the end of the file for details. This release is under the SIXTH EDITION rules. Unglued, Portal, Portal: Second Age, Portal: Three Kingdoms, Starter, and Starter 2000 cards do not yet have official Oracle card texts, so rulings on them are based on Oracle texts made by NetReps. Complete text is included for cards from all expansions. These rulings are updated monthly. The most recent version is available on the web (WWW) as either of the following: http://www.crystalkeep.com/magic/rules/index.html A '+' is used to mark changes since the 01/01/16 release. Thanx, Stephen. ---- Stephen D'Angelo | Official Rulings Summary NetRep dangelo@crystalkeep.com | Network Representative, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. ============================================================================== - - * - * - A - * - * - - The Abyss: + The controller of The Abyss controls the ability, but the current player chooses what they sacrifice. [Barclay 00/12/31] This is a special ruling for this card because the Oracle card text is misleading. Allied Strategies: + You draw one card per basic land type, not for each basic land. This makes it a maximum of 5 cards. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Amphibious Kavu: + The ability may only trigger once per combat. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Ancient Spider: + Note - Also see First Strike, Rule A.15. Arctic Merfolk: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Aura Blast: + You don't draw a card if this spell is countered. This can happen if the target is illegal on resolution. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + You still draw a card if the artifact regenerates. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Aurora Griffin: + Note - Also see Rule K.7.5 for changing a permanent's color. - - * - * - B - * - * - - Bog Down: + The player discards 2 cards or 3 cards, not 5 cards. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. - - * - * - C - * - * - - Caldera Kavu: + You choose a color on resolution. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Rule K.7.5 for changing a permanent's color. Confound: + Confound is countered on resolution if the targeted spell has been countered or does not still target one or more permanents that are still creatures and are still in play. [Jordan 01/02/12] Crosis's Catacombs: + If you don't want to unsummon a land, you can play this card then tap it for mana before the comes into play ability resolves. You may then choose to sacrifice it instead of unsummoning a land. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + This land is of type "Lair" and "Crosis's Catacombs". It is not a basic land. [DeLaney 01/02/12] + You can return a land that is tapped or untapped. [Jordan 01/02/12] Crosis's Charm: + Note - Also see Modal Spells and Abilities, Rule G.21. - - * - * - D - * - * - - Darigaaz's Caldera: + If you don't want to unsummon a land, you can play this card then tap it for mana before the comes into play ability resolves. You may then choose to sacrifice it instead of unsummoning a land. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + This land is of type "Lair" and "Darigaaz's Caldera". It is not a basic land. [DeLaney 01/02/12] Darigaaz's Charm: + Note - Also see Modal Spells and Abilities, Rule G.21. Daring Leap: + If used after a blocker is assigned your creature is still blocked. See Rule C.4.8. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If used after the first strike damage assignment step, the creature will still deal damage during the non-first strike damage step. (See Rule C.5.9) [Jordan 01/02/12] + Note - Also see First Strike, Rule A.15. Diabolic Intent: + You must choose a card if there are any in your library. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Dominaria's Judgment: + Note - Also see Protection, Rule A.24. Draco: + Yes, the mana cost really is sixteen (16) mana. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] + Even though you may end up paying less, the mana cost for things like Spell Blast remains 16. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Dralnu's Crusade: + The Goblins are both Goblins and Zombies and they are black (they lose their previous color(s)). [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Only affects Goblins which are in play. Ones in your graveyard, library, etc. are not changed to be black or to be Zombies. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] Dralnu's Pet: + Note - Also see Converted Mana Cost, Rule K.8. + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Dromar's Cavern: + If you don't want to unsummon a land, you can play this card then tap it for mana before the comes into play ability resolves. You may then choose to sacrifice it instead of unsummoning a land. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + This land is of type "Lair" and "Dromar's Cavern". It is not a basic land. [DeLaney 01/02/12] Dromar's Charm: + Note - Also see Modal Spells and Abilities, Rule G.21. Dual Nature: + If the original creature has any "comes into play" abilities, the copy will also have those. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] + If the original came into play with a Kicker cost paid, as with Benalish Emissary, the copy is not considered to have had its Kicker cost paid. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] - - * - * - E - * - * - - Ertai's Trickery: + It can target a spell which does not have a kicker cost or one which does but the kicker was not paid. In these cases, the spell does nothing. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Ertai, the Corrupted: + This card can be in play at the same time as Ertai, Wizard Adept. The cards have different names. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Legendary Permanents, Rule K.17. + Note - The foil version of the card is available with the normal art and a version is also available with alternate art. There is a star next to the collector's number on the alternate version. - - * - * - F - * - * - - Falling Timber: + You pick a second target only if you choose to pay the Kicker cost. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Fight or Flight: + Creatures which comes into play (or cards which become creatures) after the beginning of combat ability resolves are not placed in either pile and are not affected by this ability. [Jordan 01/02/13] Flametongue Kavu: + If it comes into play as the only targetable creature in play, it must target itself. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Forsaken City: + You may choose to remove a card in your hand from the game even if this card is already untapped. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] - - * - * - G - * - * - - Gaea's Herald: + The ability applies to your opponent's spells as well as your own. [Planeshift 01/01/26] Gerrard's Command: + This can target a creature which is already untapped. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Global Ruin: + You sacrifice all lands other than the chosen ones. Since you can only choose basic lands, your non-basic lands are all going to be sacrificed (unless you have non-basic lands that also count as a basic land type, in which case you could choose them). [D'Angelo 01/01/16] + If a land counts as multiple basic land types (for example, Taiga is both a Forest and a Mountain), you can choose it for either or for both of those land types. [Jordan 01/02/12] Goblin Game: + When it comes to choice of objects, use common sense. Objects should be small enough to hide but large enough to count. Make it clear what kind of object you are hiding beforehand. For example, one player may choose coins and the other may choose dice. If you cannot find something convenient to hide, write numbers on a piece of paper and reveal the numbers. Make sure the numbers are unambiguous (for example, underline a 6 or 9 so it can't be misread). [Dommermuth 01/01/25] Guard Dogs: + You choose the target on announcement and choose the permanent which is compared for color on resolution. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + You only check colors on resolution and not later when the damage prevention actually is applied. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] - - * - * - H - * - * - - Honorable Scout: + If a creature is both black and red, you gain 2 life, not 4. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Hull Breach: + Note - Also see Modal Spells and Abilities, Rule G.21. Hunting Drake: + If the target changes color from red to green or green to red between announcement and resolution, the ability still works. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] - - * - * - I - * - * - - Insolence: + It does not trigger immediately when played onto an already tapped creature. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Intervene: + If the spell's target leaves play before this spell resolves, Intervene will be countered since it no longer targets a spell that targets a creature. [Jordan 01/02/12] - - * - * - J - * - * - - - - * - * - K - * - * - - Keldon Mantle: + Note - Also see Trample, Rule A.27. - - * - * - L - * - * - - Lord of the Undead: + This card is not a Zombie, so it does not give itself the bonus. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] - - * - * - M - * - * - - Magma Burst: + You choose a second target only if you choose to pay the Kicker cost. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Magnigoth Treefolk: + Note - Also see Landwalk, Rule A.22. Malicious Advice: + Note - Also see X Costs, Rule K.27. Mana Drain: + If used after your first main phase but before your second, you will get the mana during your second main phase. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] March of Souls: + Note - Also see Token Creatures, Rule K.25. Marsh Crocodile: + Both triggered abilities trigger at the same time so you can decide which order they go on the stack. If you have no cards in hand, choose the order where you discard before getting the creature. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + This card can return itself to your hand. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Meddling Mage: + You name a card during the resolution of this spell, at the same time it is being put into play. Once you name the card, there is no chance for any player to respond to this choice before the "can't be played" effect takes hold. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + The named card can be put into play by a spell or ability, it just cannot be played normally. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + The effect lasts as long as this card is in play. [DeLaney 01/02/12] Meteor Crater: + You cannot choose "colorless". You have to choose one of the five colors. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Mirrorwood Treefolk: + If the target creature is not in play (or is not a creature) at the time the damage would be redirected, then the damage goes on this card. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + The ability applies to the next time damage is dealt. Normally this means damage from one source at one time, but during combat it is possible for multiple sources to damage the Treefolk at one time, in which case damage from all of those sources is redirected. [DeLaney 01/02/05] Misdirection: + You choose a new target spell which has only a single target. It does not check if this target is legal or not, just that there was only one chosen target. [DeLaney 01/02/15] - - * - * - N - * - * - - Natural Emergence: + Note - Also see Changing a Permanent's Type, Rule K.5. + Note - Also see First Strike, Rule A.15. Nemata, Grove Guardian: + Note - Also see Legendary Permanents, Rule K.17. + Note - Also see Token Creatures, Rule K.25. Nightscape Battlemage: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Nightscape Familiar: + If a spell is both blue and red, you pay {1} less, not {2} less. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If this card is sacrificed to pay part of a spell's cost, the cost reduction still applies. [Jordan 01/02/12] + See Helm of Awakening for rulings. - - * - * - O - * - * - - Orim's Chant: + This spell does nothing to spells that have already been announced or to creatures which are already attacking. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] In other words, this spell does not counter another spell and does not remove attacking creatures from an attack. [D'Angelo 01/02/18] + This spell does not affect the abilities of permanents. It only affects spells. [DeLaney 01/02/12] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. - - * - * - P - * - * - - Phyrexian Scuta: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Phyrexian Splicer: + If the target which is having the ability removed does not have that ability during the resolution of this effect, then this effect still grants the chosen ability. [Jordan 01/01/29] The reason is that the second target is still legal even if the first one is not. Phyrexian Tyranny: + If more than one card is drawn at a time, this triggers for each card drawn. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Planar Overlay: + If you have a land which counts as multiple land types, you can choose that land as each of those types. For example, a Tundra could be chosen as your Plains and as your Island land types. [Planeshift 01/01/26] Planeswalker's Favor: + If the opponent has no cards in hand, then X is zero. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Converted Mana Cost, Rule K.8. Planeswalker's Fury: + If the opponent has no cards in hand, then no damage is dealt. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Planeswalker's Mirth: + If the opponent has no cards in hand, then no life is gained. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Converted Mana Cost, Rule K.8. Planeswalker's Mischief: + If the opponent has no cards in hand, then the ability does nothing. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Planeswalker's Scorn: + If the opponent has no cards in hand, then X is zero. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Converted Mana Cost, Rule K.8. Pollen Remedy: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Primal Growth: + You may choose not to find any basic lands when you search. [Planeshift 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. - - * - * - Q - * - * - - Questing Phelddagrif: + Note - Also see Protection, Rule A.24. + Note - Also see Token Creatures, Rule K.25. Quirion Dryad: + The ability will trigger only once if a spell has multiple colors. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Quirion Explorer: + If the opponent only has lands that produce colorless or no mana, this card's ability cannot be played. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] [Jordan 01/02/12] - - * - * - R - * - * - - Razing Snidd: + It probably won't matter much, but you choose the order in which the two triggered abilities are placed on the stack. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Rith's Charm: + Note - Also see Modal Spells and Abilities, Rule G.21. + Note - Also see Token Creatures, Rule K.25. Rith's Grove: + If you don't want to unsummon a land, you can play this card then tap it for mana before the comes into play ability resolves. You may then choose to sacrifice it instead of unsummoning a land. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + This land is of type "Lair" and "Rith's Grove". It is not a basic land. [DeLaney 01/02/12] Rushing River: + You choose a second target only if you choose to pay the kicker cost. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + You can sacrifice a tapped land. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. - - * - * - S - * - * - - Samite Elder: + The color is determined on resolution. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If the color of that permanent changes after the ability takes effect, the color of protection that was granted does not change. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Protection, Rule A.24. Sawtooth Loon: + Both triggered abilities trigger at the same time so you can decide which order they go on the stack. If you have no cards in hand, you would likely choose the order where you draw and put on the graveyard before unsummoning the creature that is in play. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] Sea Snidd: + Note - Also see Rule K.16.4 for changing a land's type. Shivan Wurm: + Note - Also see Trample, Rule A.27. Skyship Weatherlight: + Text(PS+errata): When ~this~ comes into play, search your library for any number of artifact and/or creature cards and remove them from the game. Then shuffle your library. ; {4},{Tap}: Choose a card at random that was removed from the game with ~this~. Put that card into its owner's hand. [Barclay 01/01/28] + You may choose to not find anything when searching your library. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If this card leaves play, the remaining cards that were removed from the game can never come back. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + The cards are removed from the game face up. [Jordan 01/02/12] + The card goes to its owner's hand as per the errata. [Barclay 01/01/28] + Note - Also see Legendary Permanents, Rule K.17. + Note - The foil version of the card is available with the normal art and a version is also available with alternate art. There is a star next to the collector's number on the alternate version. Skyshroud Blessing: + This affects your lands and your opponent's. [Planeshift 01/01/26] Slay: + You don't draw a card if this spell is countered. [Planeshift 01/01/26] Soul Burn: + Will give 1 life for each black mana used, but not more life than the amount of unprevented damage that is dealt. [D'Angelo 01/02/18] Sparkcaster: + It probably won't matter much, but you choose the order in which the two triggered abilities are placed on the stack. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] Steel Leaf Paladin: + Note - Also see First Strike, Rule A.15. Stormscape Battlemage: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Stormscape Familiar: + If a spell is both white and black, you pay {1} less, not {2} less. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If this card is sacrificed to pay part of a spell's cost, the cost reduction still applies. [Jordan 01/02/12] + See Helm of Awakening for rulings. Stratadon: + Yes, the mana cost really is ten (10) mana. [D'Angelo 01/02/10] + Note - Also see Trample, Rule A.27. Sunscape Battlemage: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Sunscape Familiar: + If a spell is both green and blue, you pay {1} less, not {2} less. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If this card is sacrificed to pay part of a spell's cost, the cost reduction still applies. [Jordan 01/02/12] + See Helm of Awakening for rulings. + Note - Also see Wall, Rule K.26. - - * - * - T - * - * - - Tahngarth, Talruum Hero: + Note - The foil version of the card is available with the normal art and a version is also available with alternate art. There is a star next to the collector's number on the alternate version. Thornscape Battlemage: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Thornscape Familiar: + If a spell is both red and white, you pay {1} less, not {2} less. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If this card is sacrificed to pay part of a spell's cost, the cost reduction still applies. [Jordan 01/02/12] + See Helm of Awakening for rulings. Thunderscape Battlemage: + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. Thunderscape Familiar: + If a spell is both black and green, you pay {1} less, not {2} less. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + If this card is sacrificed to pay part of a spell's cost, the cost reduction still applies. [Jordan 01/02/12] + See Helm of Awakening for rulings. + Note - Also see First Strike, Rule A.15. Treva's Charm: + Note - Also see Modal Spells and Abilities, Rule G.21. Treva's Ruins: + If you don't want to unsummon a land, you can play this card then tap it for mana before the comes into play ability resolves. You may then choose to sacrifice it instead of unsummoning a land. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + This land is of type "Lair" and "Treva's Ruins". It is not a basic land. [DeLaney 01/02/12] - - * - * - U - * - * - - - - * - * - V - * - * - - Voice of All: + Note - Also see Protection, Rule A.24. Volcano Imp: + Note - Also see First Strike, Rule A.15. - - * - * - W - * - * - - Waterspout Elemental: + It affects your creatures as well as your opponent's. [Planeshift FAQ 01/01/26] + Note - Also see Kicker, Rule A.20. - - * - * - X - * - * - - - - * - * - Y - * - * - - - - * - * - Z - * - * - - Acknowledgments and Disclaimers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ While this work is not officially issued by Wizards of the Coast, it is the official collected rulings from official sanctioned representatives of and publications by Wizards of the Coast. The expansion sets in this file are indicated by the following code letters: A = Limited Edition (Alpha). B = Limited Edition (Beta). U = Unlimited Edition. R = Revised Edition. 4 = Fourth Edition. 5 = Fifth Edition. 6 = Sixth Edition. AL= Alliances. AN= Arabian Nights. AQ= Antiquities. CH= Chronicles. DK= The Dark. EX= Exodus. FE= Fallen Empires. HL= Homelands. IA= Ice Age. IN= Invasion. LG= Legends. MI= Mirage. MM= Mercadian Masques. NE= Nemesis. P2= Portal: Second Age. P3= Portal: Three Kingdoms. PR= Promotional (AR=Arena novel, DC=DragonCon and Duelist Magazine, FS=Final Sacrifice novel, SC=Shattered Chains novel, WW=Whispering Woods novel). PS= Planeshift. PT= Portal. PY= Prophecy. S2= Starter 2000. SH= Stronghold. ST= Starter. TE= Tempest. UD= Urza's Destiny. UG= Unglued. UL= Urza's Legacy. US= Urza's Saga. VI= Visions. WL= Weatherlight. This summary is collected from rulings made by officials and network representatives of Wizards of the Coast, along with a number of unofficial rulings also collected from the net. Whenever a source for a ruling is known, the name of that person is listed with the ruling. "Aahz" is Tom Wylie, the former Magic Rules Manager. "Barclay" is Paul Barclay, a previous MTG-L mailing list NetRep. "bethmo" is Beth Moursund, the Rules Manager at Wizards of the Coast, and former MTG-L mailing list NetRep. "CompRules" marks rules from the Sixth Edition Comprehensive Rules. "D'Angelo" is Stephen D'Angelo, the Rules Summary network representative, and former MTG-L mailing list NetRep. "DeLaney" is David DeLaney, the network representative for the "rec.games.trading-cards.magic.rules" newsgroup. "Encyclopedia, Page " marks errata from the Magic Official Encyclopedia. "Fifth Edition, Page " marks rules from the Fifth Edition rulebook. "Jackson" is Collin Jackson, the DCI Rules Documentation NetRep. "Jordan" is Jeff Jordan, the MTG-L mailing list NetRep. "Mirage, Page " marks rules from the Mirage rulebook. "Peterson" is Paul Peterson, a previous MTG-L mailing list NetRep. "Tempest, Page " marks rules from the Tempest rulebook. "WotC Rules Team" marks official rulings from the rules team. These files may be freely copied and posted anywhere you'd like. The contents can also be included in other formats (such as HTML or databases) or in products, but there are two restrictions. I insist that the files not be sold for profit. Anything you put them in must be available at no more than cost of duplication. Also, you must give credit to me and list the version date your work is derived from. Thanks. Every attempt has been made to make this summary accurate, but errors do creep in. Nothing in this work is guaranteed to be accurate. Use at your own risk. Magic: The Gathering and all of the cards listed herein are copyrighted by Wizards of the Coast.