Rulings Summary: Cards (07/05/95)
Stephen D''Angelo
Card Rulings Summary Updated 07/05/95
=============================================================================
Rulings are collected from many sources. See credits and disclaimer at the
end of the file for details. The most recent mtg-l digest used was
"3 Jul 1995 to 4 Jul 1995".
These rulings are updated monthly. The most recent version is available via
FTP to "ftp.netcom.com" under "pub/da/dangelo/magic" or to
"marvin.macc.wisc.edu" under "/pub/deckmaster/rule" as "rule-general.txt".
If you cannot FTP, send mail to "dan...@netcom.com" requesting a copy.
A '+' is used to mark changes since the last released version on 06/05/95.
Thanx,
Stephen D'Angelo
dan...@netcom.com
==============================================================================
Printing Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limited Edition Gathering:
The Limited Edition was printed in two parts--the Alpha printing and Beta
printing. The entire Limited Edition was printed with black borders on
the face of the cards.
The Alpha printing used a different corner radius on the cards than all
further printings. The radius was about 2 mm instead of the 1 mm which
has been standard since then. The printing contained 295 unique cards.
Approximately 2.6 million cards were printed. Cards were available
from late August 1993 through late September 1993.
The Beta printing added one new picture for each of the five lands plus 2
new cards to the set to raise the total to 302 cards. Approximately
7.8 million cards were printed. Cards were available from mid October
1993 until mid December 1993.
In the Alpha printing, 23 cards had errors which were corrected in the
Beta printing. These cards are: Basalt Monolith, Birds of Paradise,
Channel, Circle of Protection: Red, Cyclopean Tomb, Death Ward, Demonic
Hordes, Drain Life, Elvish Archers, Force of Nature, Icy Manipulator,
Island Sanctuary, Karma, Mana Short, Orcish Artillery, Orcish
Oriflamme, Phantasmal Forces, Red Elemental Blast, Rock Hydra, Sedge
Troll, Tropical Island, Twiddle and Unsummon.
Unlimited Edition Gathering:
The Unlimited Edition cards were printed with white borders on the face
of the cards. In all other ways this edition matched the Beta printing
of the Limited Edition. Approximately 40 million cards were printed.
Cards were available from mid January 1994 through mid March 1994.
Revised Edition Gathering:
The Revised Edition was released in order to clean up a number of rules
problems that the Limited and Unlimited Edition rules had. The cards
still had white borders, but the fake 3-D beveling was removed, and the
art was lightened up considerably. Printing size is not known but is
estimated to exceed 750 million cards. Cards were available from mid
April 1994 through mid April 1995.
About half of the cards had text or formatting changes. The list is too
long to include here. 35 of the cards in the First Edition were
retired, and 39 cards from the Arabian Nights and Antiquities
expansions were added, bringing the total card count to 306 cards.
Fourth Edition Gathering:
The Fourth Edition was released in order to rotate the contents of the
basic set. The rulebook was updated to include most of the rules from
the Legends expansion and to be much clearer on some points. The cards
still have white borders but the color was made much richer and
"copyright 1995" was added to the base of the cards. Cards were
available from May 1995 through the current date.
50 cards were removed from the set and 122 cards were added bringing the
set size up to 378 cards. The extra 72 cards came from the fact that
lands were removed from the common and uncommon sheets and moved to a
separate sheet. Basic lands appear in starter decks and not in
booster packs.
Arabian Nights:
The Arabian Nights expansion set was printed with black borders on the
face of the cards. Cards can be identified by the expansion symbol on
the right hand side of the middle section of the card. The
expansion symbol is a Scimitar (a sword). The set contained 78 unique
cards, but 14 of these have two variants so collectors consider it a 92
card set. Approximately 5 million cards were printed. Cards were
available from late December 1993 until late January 1994.
The Erg Raiders, Oubliette, Fishliver Oil, Giant Tortoise, Naf's Asp,
Wyluli Wolf, Bird Maiden, Rukh Egg, Army of Allah, Moorish Cavalry,
Piety, and War Elephant have versions with light and dark backgrounded
colorless mana symbols. The Hasran Ogress and Stone Throwing Devils
have a variation with whitish versus orangish black mana symbols in the
casting cost.
Cards were written under the Limited/Unlimited Edition ruleset and so have
a lot of unclear wordings.
Antiquities:
The Antiquities expansion set was printed with black borders on the face
of the cards. Cards can be identified by the expansion symbol on the
right hand side of the middle section. The expansion symbol is an
Anvil. The set contained 100 unique cards. Approximately 15 million
cards were printed. Cards were available from mid March 1994 through
late April 1994.
Cards were written under the Limited/Unlimited Edition ruleset and so have
a lot of unclear wordings.
Legends:
The Legends expansion set was printed with black borders on the face
of the cards. Cards can be identified by the expansion symbol on the
right hand side of the middle section. The expansion symbol is the
top section of a greek column. The set contained 310 unique cards.
Approximately 35 million cards were printed. Cards were available
from mid June 1994 through late June 1994.
The Dark:
The Dark expansion set was printed with black borders on the face of the
cards. Cards can be identified by the expansion symbol on the right
hand side of the middle section. The expansion symbol is a mostly
eclipsed moon. The set contained 119 unique cards. Approximately
75 million cards were printed. Cards were available from mid
August 1994 through mid November 1994.
Fallen Empires:
The Fallen Empires expansion set was printed with black borders on the face
of the cards. Cards can be identified by the expansion symbol on the
right hand side of the middle section. The expansion symbol is a Crown.
The set contained 187 unique cards, although only 102 unique card names
and descriptions. The common cards came in 3 or 4 versions with
different artwork. The printing size is estimated to be between 350 and
375 million cards. Cards were available from mid November 1994 to the
current date. Although they stopped shipping in late January, enough
were printed to keep them on the shelves for many months afterward..
Ice Age:
+ The Ice Age expansion set was printed with black borders on the face of the
cards. Cards can be identified by the expansion symbol on the right hand
side of the middle section. The expansion symbol is a snowflake. The
set consists of 383 unique cards. It was released in early June 1995.
Several of the common cards were released in magazines prior to the release
of the set. They were also given out to Duelist Convocation members.
Promotional Cards:
The Nalathni Dragon was first distributed to attendees of DragonCon in
Atlanta during July 1994 (1 per person). One card was also distributed
in Duelist Magazine issue #3 in October 1994 and 3 copies were included
in the Duelist Companion newsletter issue #4 in November 1994. The card
has a black border and the expansion symbol is a dragon's head which is
displayed on the right side of the middle section of the card.
Print size is estimated at 275,000.
The Sewers of Estark and Arena were distributed to people who purchased the
first Magic novel "Arena". Some were also given out to Duelist
Convocation members. "Arena" was made available in September 1994.
The cards have a black border and the expansion symbol is a pen which is
displayed on the right side of the middle section of the card. Print
size is estimated at 165,000.
Windseeker Centaur was distributed to people who purchased the second Magic
novel "Whispering Woods". Some were also given out to Duelist
Convocation members. "Whispering Woods" was made available in
January 1995. The card has a black border and the expansion symbol is
a pen which is displayed on the right side of the middle section of the
card. Print size is not known.
Giant Badger was distributed to people who purchased the third Magic
novel "Shattered Chains". Some were also given out to Duelist
Convocation members. "Shattered Chains" was made available in
late February 1995. The card has a black border and the expansion symbol
is a pen which is displayed on the right side of the middle section of the
card. Print size is not known.
Mana Crypt was distributed to people who purchased the fourth Magic
novel "Final Sacrifice". "Final Sacrifice" was made available in April
1995. The card has a black border and the expansion symbol is a pen
which is displayed on the right side of the middle section of the card.
Print size is not known.
Card Rulings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - * - * - A - * - * - -
Abomination:
The color of the blocking/blocked creature is checked only at declaration
of the block. If the creature is indeed green or white at that time,
it will be destroyed at the end of the combat even if it changes color
before the combat ends. [WotC Rules Team 07/27/94]
Being destroyed at "end of combat" happens after damage resolution for
normal damage dealing. This can result in a regenerating creature having
to regenerate twice... once for damage dealing and once at "end of combat".
[Aahz 01/19/95]
Abu Ja Far:
Protection from White will not keep a creature from being destroyed by
Abu's power because combat abilities are not considered to be targeted.
[Page 63]
If Abu is killed before damage dealing, then all creatures blocked or
blocking Abu are also killed at that time (and may not be regenerated).
[bethmo 05/05/94]
Active Volcano:
The artist is actually Justin Hampton. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
The Abyss:
This is a targeted effect. The Abyss targets one creature each upkeep.
For this reason, it ignores creatures with Protection from Black.
[Aahz 07/13/94]
If the target becomes invalid after being chosen but before resolution,
you have to choose another target. [WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
Adventurers' Guildhouse:
The ability works even if it is tapped. Only non-creature artifacts are
disabled when tapped. Nothing else is. [bethmo 06/20/94]
AErathi Berserker:
There is a typographical error in the title of the card so that the "AE"
does not appear. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Aisling Leprechaun:
Creatures change color the moment the block is declared.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
A Leprechaun with Protection from Green can be blocked by a creature
(since it is not green at that time) but will not take damage from the
creature (since it is green at the time of damage dealing).
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
The change to green does not wear off even if the Leprechaun leaves play.
[Aahz 06/16/94]
Akron Legionnaire:
If you have two or more Legionnaires, they can all attack. Officially there
is errata to the card saying it should be read as "...except Akron
Legionnaires." [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
Will prevent Evil Eyes of Orms-By-Gore from attacking. [Aahz 10/21/94]
Aladdin:
He can hold onto more than one artifact at a time. He need not drop one
in order to pick up another. Note that you must pay and tap the card
for each use, however. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Any artifact can be taken. This includes artifact creatures which are
represented by tokens (e.g. Wasps, Djinn from Bottle of Suleiman).
Aladdin loses control of artifacts if it leaves play for any reason.
[bethmo 05/09/94]
Aladdin does not lose control if the target becomes invalid. If the
target stops being an artifact, he keeps control. He only checks the
validity of the target on declaration and resolution of his effect.
[WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
If your opponent takes control of Aladdin, they do not take the artifacts
you already stole, but they are free to use Aladdin's power to take them
later. [bethmo]
Can only target an artifact controlled by another player.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Aladdin's Lamp:
This is a triggered effect which happens whenever you draw a card. It
gives you the option of spending mana to modify the draw.
[Aahz 05/10/95] (See the "Triggered Effects" entry in the timing section
of the General Rulings.)
This can be used any time you draw a card from the library. This
includes Sindbad, Ancestral Recall, and several other spells. It
affects only one of the cards drawn this way, though. [bethmo]
As official errata to the Arabian and Revised edition versions of thie card,
add the text "X cannot be zero." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 136]
The Arabian Nights version had 2 casting cost circles with "1" and "0" in
them to indicate "10" because they could not fit it into one circle.
This is not a typo. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Alchor's Tomb:
The change is permanent. Whenever something says to use counters to mark
an effect and does not specify how to remove them, consider the effect
permanent. [bethmo 06/21/94]
Ali Baba:
May be used to tap more than one wall per turn if you have enough mana.
[Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
May tap walls even when Ali Baba is tapped. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94] May be
used on the turn summoned. This is because creature abilities which do
not require tapping can be used at any time. [Page 30]
Ali from Cairo:
This card does indeed make you immune to damage that would take you below
1 life point (which is almost immunity to death). You can still be
affected by things which reduce your life without doing damage.
[Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
+ The protection ability is applied at the end of the first step of damage
prevention and happens automatically. This is not a fast effect which
can be used at any time during damage prevention.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
It does not prevent direct loss of life from spells like Lich, Channel, etc.
[bethmo]
Even works when he is tapped. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
The protection ability works up until Ali enters the graveyard, so
simultaneous damage with Ali's death is prevented, but damage that occurs
after he goes to the graveyard (i.e. Creature Bond) is not prevented.
[bethmo]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
All Hallow's Eve:
This card is misprinted. As official errata, it is an Enchantment and not
a Sorcery. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Creatures enter play in the order in which they are put into play. So if
one player puts a Legend into play, their opponent's Legend of the same
name will be buried immediately after it is put into play.
[Aahz 06/28/94]
Since the creatures enter play during upkeep, their upkeep costs (if any)
need to be paid. [Aahz 06/15/94]
A Clone or Doppelganger must choose a creature in play to copy. If there
is no such creature, then it cannot leave the graveyard. [bethmo 06/16/94]
If a creature, such as a Clone, fails to be able to enter play when chosen
(i.e. no other creature to Clone), then it stays in the graveyard and may
not be chosen again by this All Hallow's Eve. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/95]
Once all the counters are gone, it just sits there as an inert enchantment.
[bethmo 06/17/94]
Since you can do your upkeep actions in any order, it is legal to sacrifice
creatures using some spell or effect prior to removing the final counter
from All Hallow's Eve. [Aahz 07/27/94]
This is not a targeted spell, and in any case the creatures in the graveyard
do not get to use Protection from Color abilities. [Aahz 11/30/94]
Amulet of Kroog:
+ The Fourth Edition version targets only the damage while the Antiquities
version targets the player or creature as well.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Amulet of Quoz:
+ Ignore the last sentence about loss of life. It's an error in the card
text and has nothing to do with the card. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Ancestral Recall:
When used on a person when it is not their turn, they may keep all the
cards until the discard phase of their next turn when they must discard
as normal.
Can be used on yourself or can target one opposing player.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Angelic Voices:
You get the bonus if all of your creatures are at least part white or
part artifact. So, if your only creature is a Lord Magnus (a white and
green Legend), you would get the bonus. So would a red artifact
creature. [Aahz 07/13/94]
Angry Mob:
Counts up Swamps controlled by all of your opponents. [Aahz 12/25/94]
Animate Artifact:
Artifact becomes an Artifact-Creature. It follows all the rules of
creatures while still being an artifact.
Animated artifacts cannot attack or use any special ability which
requires it to be tapped until it begins its controller's turn in play.
[Page 30] If it was in play on your side before you animated it, you may
use it immediately.
The Limited and Unlimited edition cards cannot be cast on
artifact-creatures. The Revised one can be cast on them but has no
effect. [Card Text] Note that the Limited/Unlimited edition card does
not cause itself to be removed from play once the creature is Animated.
[Aahz]
The Limited and Unlimited edition cards say that it destroys zero-cost
artifacts. This was meant to restate the obvious, a zero toughness
creature dies, but the card text did not account for things like Castle
which give +2 toughness when untapped. So, the artifact is not
destroyed just because its casting cost was zero, it is destroyed when
its toughness reaches zero. [Snark]
Animate Dead:
+ In general, an animated creature comes out as if it was just cast. Any X
in the casting cost is zero. So animating a Rock Hydra gives you
a hydra with zero heads. [PPG Page 92]
You can Animate a creature which was discarded from a hand and therefore
was never in play.
Animate Dead is an "Enchant Creature" spell and so it does activate the
Rabid Wombat and trigger other cards which use creature enchantments.
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Animated creature cannot attack until it begins its controller's turn in
play. [Page 30]
Animating a dead Clone gets all the Clone's abilities but it mimics at -1
power. [Snark]
This is a targeted effect. Note that cards in the graveyard do not have
Protection from Color abilities, but it may fizzle because the target
is removed before the effect resolves. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
When Animate Dead is being destroyed, the creature it is on is not "on its
way to the graveyard" so you can sacrifice the creature at this time.
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
When Animate Dead leaves play, the creature it is on is put in the
graveyard without a damage prevention step. A death event is still
generated. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Cannot be cast on dead creatures which are in play because of another
Animate Dead spell, but can be moved using Enchantment Alteration from
one Animated Creature to another. If so, you gain control of that
creature since your Animate is more recent than the other one. Control
reverts if yours if removed. [WotC Rules Team 11/16/94]
If more than one Animate Dead ends up on a creature, each contributes a
-1/-0. [Aahz 01/12/95]
The caster of Animate Dead is not considered the "caster" of the creature
that is brought back into play. The "caster" is always the "owner.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Anti-Magic Aura:
Will not prevent use of interrupts or non-targeted effects. This includes
spells like Red Elemental Blast, Pestilence and Wrath of God.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Will not prevent use of effects due to cards in play. Only prevents spells
of type instant, sorcery or enchantment from targeting the creature.
[D'Angelo 04/19/95]
Arboria:
If a Nether Shadow enters play during your upkeep, it will invalidate the
protection of Arboria. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Removing Arboria from play will not cancel its benefit. If currently in
effect, the effect will end normally. [Aahz 10/21/94]
Arcades Sabboth:
Does give himself a bonus. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Arcum's Weathervane:
+ See the "Snow-Covered Lands" entry in the General Rulings for more
information.
+ Gives an "is Snow-Covered" or "is not Snow-Covered" counter to a land. It
is possible to have Snow-Covered non-basic lands. [D'Angelo 06/08/95]
+ Cannot be used on a multiland even if it "counts as a" nomal land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Arena:
You and your opponent can only choose untapped creatures.
[D'Angelo 01/18/95]
Only works if both creatures are untapped. It fizzles if it finds one of
them is already tapped. [Aahz 12/13/94] Even though only one part of
a spell fizzles when a mutli-target spell finds a target is invalid, this
one effectively completely fizzles since that target will be unable to
receive or deal any damage.
Walls can fight in the Arena. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Attack abilities like the Basilisk's do not take affect. [Peterson 11/15/94]
Creatures are chosen when the effect is used, but they don't become tapped
until the effect resolves. [Aahz 12/21/94]
The power of the creatures when the effect resolves is used to determine
how much damage is done. [Aahz 03/07/95]
In multiplayer games, you can choose a different opposing player each time
it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Arena of the Ancients:
Only taps Legends which are in play before the Arena is put into play.
Legends which enter play later are not tapped immediately, but when they
are tapped they are prevented from untapping by the Arena. [Aahz 06/14/94]
Does not affect Legendary Lands. [Aahz 06/14/94]
Arenson's Aura:
+ Counters an enchantment spell as it is being cast. It does not counter the
effect of an enchantment. [Aahz 06/13/95]
+ As errata, add "This ability is played as an interrupt" to the last ability
on the card. [D'Angelo 06/27/95]
Armageddon:
The destruction can be prevented normally, such as with Consecrated Land,
Pyramids, or regeneration if the land is animated. [Aahz]
Armageddon Clock:
During your upkeep, add a counter, then allow people to remove counters,
then deal the damage from the clock at the end of upkeep.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Other players may remove counters during their upkeeps as well.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Adding a counter to the Clock is considered an upkeep cost.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
+ Removing a counter is not an ability with an activation cost. It is just
an ability. [D'Angelo 06/20/95]
Artifact Possession:
It does damage whenever the target artifact's activation cost is paid, or
when it becomes tapped for any other reason. It does not do double
damage if the activation cost requires tapping. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Artifact Ward:
Note that this is not exactly like Protection from Color abilities. It
does not prevent artifacts from targeting the creature, it just
prevents the effects of such targeting, damage from artifacts, and being
blocked by artifacts. [Card Text]
Does not protect against non-damaging or non-targeted artifacts such as
Nevinyrral's Disk. [bethmo]
Ashes to Ashes:
Since this is "removal from game", it does not count as destruction and is
therefore not preventable by regeneration. [Aahz 09/01/94]
Must have 2 targets at time of casting in order to be declared.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 6]
If one target is removed or becomes invalid after declaration, the other
target is still affected. [bethmo 09/15/94] You take the damage if at
least one target is destroyed. [D'Angelo 05/17/95]
Ashnod's Transmogrant:
As errata to the card, add the text "The +1/+1 and artifact status are
represented by a counter". [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 137] This is
meant to show that the change is permanent.
Taps when being used, so it does trigger effects like Powerleech. [Aahz]
The counter converts permanents to have Artifact nature. It works even if
the card stops being a creature, but the +1/+1 bonus only applies when
it is a creature. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Aspect of Wolf:
The bonus is recalculated every time the number of Forests you have in
play changes. It is not a one-time bonus. [bethmo]
+ The "you" on the card means the controller of the enchantment and not the
controller of the creature. The enchantment controller's forests are
used to figure the bonus. [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
Atog:
Cannot use the ability unless you have an artifact to sacrifice. It is
part of the cost. [Aahz]
As with all fast effects, the bonus wears off at the end of the turn.
The "place in the graveyard" statement on the Arabian card is actually a
"sacrifice" and is a cost which cannot be prevented.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
Aurochs:
+ The bonus expires at the end of the attack, and not at the end of the
turn. [Aahz 06/10/95]
- - * - * - B - * - * - -
Backdraft:
Can be used even if the spell does no damage. [bethmo 07/01/94]
Badlands:
The Revised edition multilands differ from the Limited and Unlimited
edition ones in that they say that if "one land type is altered, the
other is unaffected". This applies only to spells like Conversion
which alter a land type. It does not mean that Phantasmal Terrain or
any other spell which changes a land card to a different type only
changes half of a multiland. [PPG Page 223]
Balance:
The way this works, is that you look at the table and find the smallest
number of lands and balance those first. Then you balance to the smallest
number of cards in hand. Finally, you balance number of creatures.
[Card Text]
It is considered errata to the card that the final sentence "Creatures lost
in this manner are considered buried" should be read as "All lands, cards,
and creatures lost in this way are considered sacrificed".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 130]
All cards destroyed or discarded are considered to go simultaneously.
Creatures with Protection from White are not ignored by Balance. This
is not considered a targeted effect so they are both counted and valid
choices for being destroyed. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Consecrated Land and Pyramids do not protect a land from being sacrificed,
and creating Balance is considered to be a sacrificing effect.
[Aahz 01/07/95]
Animated lands are considered both as lands and as creatures. Just
remove whatever you have to in order to achieve "balance". And yes,
this does mean that they get double-counted :-( This double counting
may result in you having less creatures (since creatures are balanced
last).
Applies to all players in multiplayer games. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The word "discarded" on the Limited/Unlimited version of the card should
be read as "destroyed" [PPG Page 113]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only one allowed in
a deck) for tournaments since 04/19/95.
Ball Lightning:
As errata to the The Dark card, it should read "Bury Ball Lightning at end
of any turn." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138] The creature is buried at
the end of any turn in which it is in play.
Barbarian Guides:
+ Can only grant a Snow-Covered landwalk for one of the basic land types.
[D'Angelo 06/14/95]
Barbed Sextant:
+ You draw a card on the upkeep of the turn after you use the effect.
[Aahz 06/08/95]
Barl's Cage:
Does not prevent a creature from untapping during upkeep phase. It just
stops the "normal" untap during the untap phase. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Bartel Runeaxe:
Cannot be targeted by enchant creature spells while in play, but will not
remove one if you somehow get one there. [Aahz 07/13/94] For example,
if Animate Dead is used to bring him back, he will not remove it.
Basalt Monolith:
Untapping this card is a fast effect and can be done at any time fast
effects can be done. [Snark]
The untapping of a Monolith is not an activation cost. [D'Angelo 02/01/95]
+ The Basalt Monolith cannot be untapped with mana from a Basalt Monolith.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] This is a relaxing of the rule which used to
also disallow untapping a Monolith with a Mana Vault or untapping a
Mana Vault with a Monolith. This is a REVERSAL of page 79 of Duelist
Magazine #3.
Text on this card was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the
Limited Edition.
Battering Ram:
+ The Fourth Edition version of this card destroys the walls at end of
combat while the Antiquities version destroys the walls during normal
damage dealing. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Bayou:
See Badlands for rulings.
Bazaar of Baghdad:
During the resolution of the effect you draw 2 cards then discard 3 cards.
Since this is done during resolution of a spell stack, no spells or
effects can be used at this time. The card text is just a helpful
reminder of this fact.
These are draws even though the text just says "take 2 cards".
[D'Angelo 04/10/95]
You can use the Library of Leng ability to put the discarded cards back
on top of your library. [Aahz 07/25/94]
Berserk:
+ Berserk has errata changing the "target creature's current power doubles"
to "target creature gains +X/+0 where X is the creature's current power"
when Berserk resolves. This makes it a one time bonus and not something
that recalculates. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] This errata is a REVERSAL
of how Berserk used to work.
The creature can regenerate from dying due to attacking under Berserk.
The creature only dies if it attacks, not if it defends.
A Berserked creature is not considered to be "on its way to the
graveyard" until the end of the turn is reached. This means that it
maybe sacrificed before that time.
If the card stops being a creature before the end of the turn, it is
still destroyed. This happens with Jade Statue, and can happen with
other animated cards. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Birds of Paradise:
Text changed between Alpha and Beta printings to explicitly say "one mana
of any color" instead of just "one mana".
Black Lotus:
The card text should be read as "Tap: Sacrifice Black Lotus to add 3 mana
of any single color to your mana pool. This ability is played as an
interrupt." This is considered official errata.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 131]
Treat the word "discarded" as "destroyed" on the card. [PPG Page 113]
An Animated Lotus cannot benefit from Regeneration because sacrificed
cards cannot be regenerated. [Page 62]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Black Mana Battery:
You may not remove mana counters from the Battery except at the time when
you tap it for the one other mana. The effect is pretty much that you
tap for X+1 mana where X is the number of counters removed.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8] X can be zero. [D'Angelo 02/03/95]
Removing counters is part of the cost, so Rust will cause the effect to
be countered and cost to be lost. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Can be tapped even if it has no counters. [D'Angelo 05/12/95]
Black Vise:
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Fourth Edition version does damage at the end of upkeep. The Limited,
Unlimited and Revised edition versions do damage at a time of your choice
during upkeep. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Black Ward:
Cannot cause itself to be removed. This is considered errata to the
Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this card.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79] The Fourth edition card is correctly
worded.
Blaze of Glory:
The text "controller of target creature may distribute damage among
attackers as desired" is a restatement of the combat rules and does not
override the attacker's right to distribute damage when attacking with
a banded group. [bethmo]
Does not allow a tapped creature to block, or allow a creature to block
any creatures it would not normally be able to block. If a Goblin War
Drums is in effect and no other creature chooses to block, then this
creature could not block. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
As per all fast effects, this lasts only until the end of the turn.
A "defending" creature should be read as a "blocking" creature under the
current rules. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Blazing Effigy:
If it dies and there are no creatures in play to target, then the effect
does nothing. [Aahz 05/16/95]
Blight:
If a land somehow has both Blight and Kudzu on it, they will both attempt
to destroy the land. The Kudzu will move on to another land. The land
only needs to be saved once (and not once for each). [Aahz 07/25/94]
Blood Lust:
The text "target creatures gain..." should say "target creature gains" since
(as the next sentence shows) the spell only targets one creature.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
The +4/-4 is applied when the spell resolves and will not lower the
toughness below 1. So, if a 1/1 creature has Blood Lust cast on it, it
becomes a 5/1 creature. Later spells to modify toughness modify from
this base, so a Giant Growth would make it an 8/4 creature.
[WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Blood Moon:
Does affect multilands and all other special lands.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 6]
Blood of the Martyr:
You can redirect any portion of the damage. You are not forced to only
redirect all or none of it. [Aahz 06/05/95]
Blue Elemental Blast:
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target blue
cards or spells while the Fourth Edition on can target any blue
permanent (including tokens) or spells. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Blue Mana Battery:
See Black Mana Battery for rulings.
Blue Ward:
See Black Ward for rulings.
Bog Rats:
No, these do not affect Plague Rat totals. [Aahz 08/09/94]
Bone Shaman:
+ The text "Any creature damaged by Bone Shaman this turn cannot regenerate
until end of turn" means that the creature cannot use any regeneration
ability or effect during this turn. You cannot and do not just wait
until the end of the turn with the creature partly dead and then use
regeneration. [D'Angelo 06/14/95]
Boris Devilboon:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Bottle of Suleiman:
As official errata to the Arabian and Revised edition versions of this card,
it should begin "1: Sacrifice Bottle of Suleiman.".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 136] Sacrificing the card is part of the
activation cost.
The Djinn is an artifact creature. [Card Text]
The Djinn is not a card, it is a token. (See the "Token Creatures" section
in the General Rulings for more information.)
The coin is flipped on resolution and not on declaration of the effect.
[Aahz 12/21/94]
It cannot be used to attack in the turn in which it is "created" by
paying the artifact's cost. It must be in play at the beginning of
your turn in order to be used. Note that you can pay the costs during
an opponent's turn in order to use it when your turn comes around.
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player to call the
coin toss each time it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Arabian version of the card required tapping to use it. This is
somewhat redundant since an artifact's ability cannot be used when it
is tapped anyway. [Aahz 07/29/94]
In the Arabian version, the word "discarded" should be read as "destroyed".
[PPG Page 113]
Bottomless Vault:
Gets a counter if it starts the untap phase tapped and stays tapped
throughout it. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Does not get a counter if Stasis in in play, but does get one if you don't
untap it due to Winter Orb. [WotC Rules Team 11/16/94] This is because
Stasis causes the untap phase to be skipped and thereby no chance to get a
counter, and Winter Orb just makes the choice of keeping it tapped easier.
Can be tapped for zero mana. [Peterson 12/19/94]
It is considered "tapped for mana" for purposes of Mana Flare and Wild
Growth even if you choose to take zero mana from it.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Mana Short will not draw any of the counters out of the land. It just taps
the land. [Aahz 12/06/94]
Power Sink and Drain Power both draw mana from lands if they are untapped
and will draw from the counters on the land... but if you want, you can
interrupt either of these spells to tap the land for zero mana and then
it won't be drained. [Aahz 12/06/94] In friendly play, you can assume
you are smart enough to defeat this and just assume it taps for zero,
but watch out for picky people in tournament play.
It taps for mana at Interrupt speed. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Enters play tapped even if an immediate effect like Blood Moon immediately
changes it to something else. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Counters are not lost if the land is changed to another land type. They
wait around for the land to change back. [Aahz 03/06/95]
Braingeyser:
When used on a person when it is not their turn, they may keep all the
cards until the discard phase of their next turn when they must discard
as normal.
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Brainwash:
This effect is paid for during the Declare Attackers step of the attack
phase. This is special since effects cannot normally be paid at that
time. You are given special allowance to tap for mana to pay for this
effect, but no other effects of any sort are allowed. [Aahz 01/27/95]
Brass Man:
+ The Fourth Edition version has the untapping listed as an activation cost
while the Arabian Nights and Revised Edition versions had it as an
ability. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Breeding Pit:
Must actually be in play at the end of turn in order for you to get a
Thrull. The getting of the Thrull is not part of paying the upkeep, it
is part of having the card in play. [D'Angelo 04/12/95]
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Brine Hag:
Effect is permanent. [bethmo 06/16/94]
The effect works on a creature even if the damage was redirected from
another target to the Hag. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Brine Shaman:
+ As errata, add "This ability is played as an interrupt" to the last ability
on the card. [D'Angelo 06/27/95]
Bronze Tablet:
+ Only cards in play can be targeted. Not any one your opponent owns.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Cannot choose to lose 10 life if you have less than 10 life, but you may
choose to give up the game immediately. This has roughly the same
effect.
The loss of life cannot be prevented by any spell or effect, including
the Conservator. [bethmo]
If the card being targeted by the Bronze Tablet is removed before Tablet
takes effect, then the Tablet fails to work and remains tapped.
If using a Copy Artifact on the Tablet, you must trade the Copy Artifact
card to your opponent just like you would have traded the Tablet.
[bethmo]
You can take control of your opponent's Tablet and in the trade you only
have to give them back their Tablet. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 05/02/94 because it is only used in games for Ante.
Brown Ouphe:
+ Read "counter target artifact ability" as "counter target artifact effect"
to make it clearer. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ Only counters an effect generated by a single activation of the artifact.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
- - * - * - C - * - * - -
Call to Arms:
+ Cannot choose "colorless" as a color. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Camel:
Does offer Desert protection to itself when alone.
[WotC Rules Team 11/16/94]
Camouflage:
Can be cast when you have no creatures in play since it does not say it
needs to be played during an attack. [bethmo]
See the "Face-Down Cards" entry in the General Rulings for more
information.
Candelabra of Tawnos:
Note that this is not interrupt speed. It is an instant speed fast effect
and it will resolve along with other effects in this spell stack in
last-in first-out order like all instants. The lands untap during
resolution. [bethmo]
You may untap your opponent's lands if desired. [Aahz 05/03/94] This can
be useful if Power Surge is in play.
Can target an untapped land. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 05/02/94.
Caribou Range:
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Ignore the first sentence of this card up to the comma.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ It is buried if you lose control of the target land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Carnivorous Plant:
It is a wall even though the name does not have "Wall" in it. The card
is of type "Summon Wall". [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 6]
Castle:
Note that attackers do not get the benefits of Castle. Even though the
Serra Angel does not tap when attacking it does not get the benefits
during the attack, but if it does not die in the attack it gets back
the benefit afterwards (since it will no longer be "attacking").
[bethmo]
Tapping a creature removes the +2 toughness from the creature and may
kill it if it has already taken damage.
Cathedral of Serra:
See Adventurers' Guildhouse for rulings.
Caverns of Despair:
If you have more than two creatures which are required to attack, you can
pick which two do so. For example, if you had 3 Juggernauts in play,
only two of your choice will attack. There is no penalty for these
creatures not attacking unless the penalty is assigned from outside
with effects such as Siren's Call and Nettling Imp. [bethmo 07/02/94]
Even though you have a choice, if a creature is forced to attack or defend,
it must do so before you choose any creatures which were not forced.
For example, if you had a Juggernaut and 2 other creatures, you cannot
declare the two creatures. You must declare the Juggernaut and can declare
one other. Same goes for blocking under the effects of Lure.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Chain Lightning:
The chaining effects (after the first one) are not considered "spells" and
cannot be countered. Only the original spell can be countered.
[Aahz 06/15/95]
You can only chain to another target if at least one damage is not
prevented on the current target. [bethmo 06/15/94] This is because it is
in the nature of the damage that during damage resolution a new target
can be picked.
Each time Chain Lightning does damage it is considered to be a different
packet of damage, so you would have to use Circle of Protection: Red
multiple times. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Once the Chain Lightning is resolved, a series of damage prevention steps
is entered. Only spells allowed during damage prevention can be used
until the Chain is done. This means no casting of Giant Growth or other
non-prevention spells. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Chains of Mephistopheles:
If you cast a spell to draw extra cards (such as Ancestral Recall or
Wheel of Fortune) at some time outside the draw phase, this affects all
the cards drawn. During the draw phase, the first card drawn is not
affected. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Only affects the drawing of cards. It does not affect spells like Demonic
Tutor, Millstone, or Petra Sphinx which affect the library but do not
say "draw" a card. [bethmo 06/22/94]
Each player is exempted from one draw each turn, so your opponent can use
a Jayemdae Tome or other effect to draw during your turn without being
affected. [Aahz 10/17/94] Basically this says that the text "does not
apply to the first card drawn by a player" should be read as "each
player".
Effect is cumulative. If you have two of these out, a player must
discard twice for each card drawn (past the first one). [Aahz 01/08/95]
If a player cannot discard, the placement of the top card from the library
into the graveyard is not considered a discard. It just happens.
[Aahz 02/09/95]
Channel:
This is not damage, it is loss of life. It cannot be prevented by any
spell or effect. [PPG Page 113]
The amount of life converted into mana is not a decision as part of the
casting of Channel. [WotC Rules Team] You first cast Channel then you
can convert life to mana for the rest of the turn. You do not convert
it during casting.
Text on this card was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the
Limited Edition.
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 03/23/94.
Chaos Lord:
+ The Lord's changing of controllers is a new effect each upkeep so it will
take precedence over any other control effects. This means that using
Control Magic on a Chaos Lord won't guarantee that you keep it.
[Aahz 06/14/95]
Chaos Orb:
You can arrange your cards any time before the Orb is put into play, but
not after. [Snark] In general, you should not stack cards or put them
in places where your opponent cannot read the names of all of them or
count them. This is recommended good gaming practice. [Aahz 12/03/94]
You cannot interfere in any physical way with the playing of this card.
[PPG Page 221]
It must flip 360 degrees (that's what "flip entirely" means). [FAQ]
And this flip must be in the air and not in your hand.
"Cards it touches" refers to cards it touches once it stops moving. [Snark]
If the Orb does not touch a card because a pente stone or other token is
between them, the Orb counts as not touching the card. [bethmo] Same
goes if there are cards stacked up. If the card is not touched, it
is not destroyed. Note that only counters and tokens placed in play
because of the game count for this. "Tapping" stones and any other
markers you have in play should be taken out of the way before using the
Orb. [Aahz 02/09/95]
If you have sleeves on cards, they count as the cards. [bethmo]
Can only affect cards that are in play. Cards that are in the game but
not in play (such as the Library and Graveyard) or cards that are held
out of play by such effects as Oubliette and Tawnos's Coffin cannot be
affected.
+ The Chaos Orb is not a sacrifice. It stays in play until it resolves.
Once the effect has resolved, the Orb will go to the graveyard no matter
what, but if the Orb is not still in play when it resolves (because it
was Disenchanted or something), then the effect will not go off.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] This is a REVERSAL of the long-standing
ruling that Chaos Orb sacrificed itself.
+ The Chaos Orb can be thought of as reading "{1,T}: Flip Chaos Orb onto the
playing area from a height of at least one foot to destroy any cards in
play it touches. Bury Chaos Orb. Chaos Orb must turn completely over at
least once when it flips or it is buried with no effect. It also has no
effect if it is not in play when its effect resolves." (This is my own
interpretation of the wording the rules team implies and is not official
errata.)
This is a not a targeted effect. Creatures with Artifact Ward or other
means of preventing being targeted by artifacts are destroyed by the
Orb. [bethmo]
Even if your hand is face up on the table due to an effect like Revelation,
cards in the hand are not considered "in play" and will not be affected
by the Orb. [Aahz 04/17/95]
Ripping the Chaos Orb into confetti and then scattering it (as each piece
flops 360 degrees) across your opponent's cards was ruled legal at one
time, but it was suggested that this strategy not be allowed in the final
round of a tournament. [bethmo] This ruling is mostly humorous in value.
You are very unlikely to get WotC or a NetRep to back this one, but I'm
listing it because it is funny. Also, note that if you remove a card
from your deck during a tournament then you are disqualified. You cannot
remove or shred one of your opponent's cards.
The word "discarded" should be read as "destroyed". [PPG Page 113]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
Chaoslace:
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target
cards or spells while the Fourth Edition on can target any permanent
(including tokens) or spells. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Chromium:
The colorless mana circle around the "2" in "Ramgage:2" is a misprint.
Ignore it. [Aahz 06/15/94]
Circle of Protection: Black:
Was not in the Alpha printing of the Limited Edition.
Citanul Druid:
In multiplayer games you choose one opposing player on casting and it only
affects that one player. This target is not changed even if this card
changes controllers. It becomes useless but stays in play if the target
player leaves play. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
City in a Bottle:
Removes all Arabian Nights cards from play and prevents any player from
casting any more of them until the City is removed.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
If creatures are regenerated, they are immediately destroyed again, so it
is not worth doing. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
If tapped by some means, this card does not function in any way. Once
untapped, all Arabian Nights cards are removed from play and no further
spells can be cast. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15] The rule book says
that continuous artifacts do not function when tapped. This card does
not override any rules.
Oubliette does not save a creature from being destroyed. In one moment,
the creature is freed, and the next it is destroyed. This is faster
than an interrupt. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Arabian Nights tokens or counters are not removed. [bethmo]
Only affects cards with the Arabian Nights scimitar symbol on them. It
does not affect Gathering cards which came from the Arabian Nights
expansion. [bethmo 06/04/94]
The term "discarded" from play now means "destroyed". [PPG Page 113]
City of Brass:
Damage is done if the card is tapped by Twiddle or Icy Manipulator
because the text on the card specifically detects the card becoming
tapped. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94] It is a triggered effect and not one you
pay for.
City of Shadows:
The counters do not go away when it is used. [bethmo 08/15/94]
Can be tapped for zero mana. [Peterson 12/19/94]
It is considered "tapped for mana" for purposes of Mana Flare and Wild
Growth even if it has zero counters on it. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Cleansing:
Consecrate Land will prevent this effect. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 6]
Clergy of the Holy Nimbus:
If the Clergy are reduced to below zero toughness (by such as Weakness),
then they get stuck in a permanent loop of dying, going toward the
graveyard, and then regenerating. The net effect is that until the
effect is removed or until your opponent spends one mana to let them
die, they remain in play in a tapped state. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
dies. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Cloak of Confusion:
+ It is buried if you lose control of the target. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Clockwork Avian:
Loses a counter at the end of the attack phase in which it attacks or
defends. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
Can attack or block even if it has no counters. [Aahz 05/15/95]
Loses a counter even if it is affected by Fog or a Fog-like effect which
prevents it from dealing damage. [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
Resurrection, Animate Dead, copy cards, and other ways to bring one of these
into play makes it come into play with all its counters. Note that
Animate Dead also applies a -1 to power. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
+ The Fourth Edition version uses an activation cost to replace counters
while the Antiquities version just had it as an ability.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Clockwork Beast:
Loses a counter at the end of the attack phase in which it attacks or
defends. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
Can attack or block even if it has no counters. [Aahz 05/15/95]
Loses a counter even if it is affected by Fog or a Fog-like effect which
prevents it from dealing damage. [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
Resurrection, Animate Dead, copy cards, and other ways to bring one of these
into play makes it come into play with all its counters. Note that
Animate Dead also applies a -1 to power. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
+ The Fourth Edition version uses an activation cost to replace counters
while the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions just had it as
an ability. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Clone:
There are a lot of rulings dealing with copy cards in the "Copy Cards"
entry in the General Rulings. Go read those first.
Animating a dead Clone gets all the Clone's abilities but it mimics at -1
power. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
The Clone of an artifact creature can be Shattered or Disenchanted
because it is an artifact creature too. [Aahz]
Can be used to copy a base Doppelganger. You get a Doppelganger which is
always blue, and the Clone is mimicking the same creature the
Doppelganger was until the next upkeep. [PPG Page 223]
The Clone is the same color as the creature it copies. It is no longer
blue (even if the card looks blue) unless the creature it copied was
blue too. [bethmo]
The decision of what to Clone is part of the casting decisions. [bethmo]
This spell is targeted, so a creature with Protection from Blue cannot be
Cloned. [WotC Rules Team]
The Clone is targeted and checks its target when declared and when
resolving. If the target is not valid when the spell resolves, then the
Clone fizzles. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
The Clone is treated as a Summon Creature card even if it is copying an
artifact creature. Thus, spells that affect Summon Creatures, such as
Dance of Many, can be used on a Clone of anything. [Aahz 09/15/94]
The Limited and Unlimited edition cards said "all normal characteristics"
instead of "all characteristics". In either case, this means that you
treat the Clone as having the exact same text on it as the original
card had. This includes name, casting cost, power/toughness, etc. It
does not gain any benefits the original creature may have had
temporarily through instants like Giant Growth or through Enchantments.
[bethmo]
Cockatrice:
In all ways, the Cockatrice is like the Thicket Basilisk. Look there for
rulings.
Cocoon:
As errata to the card, it should read "Tap target creature you control and
put 3 counters on Cocoon." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138] Even though
it said to put the counters on the creature, they go away if the
enchantment is removed. It should say that they go on the enchantment.
Can be used on a tapped creature. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
If you also have Instill Energy on the creature, it may be untapped
without affecting the Cocoon. [Aahz 06/24/94]
After the last counter is removed, the creature gains its bonus during the
next upkeep. This will usually be your opponent's upkeep.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
If the enchantment is moved with Enchantment Alteration, the number of
counters is increased by 3 and not just set to 3.
[WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
Colossus of Sardia:
The Fourth edition card has its untap cost as an activation cost and is
therefore affected by Power Artifact and other such effects. The
Antiquities version was not an activation cost and did not get the
benefit. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Concordant Crossroads:
+ As errata, this card should read that it removes summoning sickness
entirely rather than just ignoring it on the turn creatures enter play.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] This is a REVERSAL which said that the
sickness applied but was just ignored during the turn the creature
entered play.
Works on Limited and Unlimited Edition creatures which say "Tap to do ..."
just as if the creature said "Tap: ...". [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Consecrate Land:
Prevents direct use of enchantments on the land. Indirect effect by
enchantments such as Conversion, Living Lands, Kormus Bell, and Mana
Flare are not prevented and the land can still be targeted by Gaea's
Liege, Cyclopean Tomb, and other non-enchantment effects. [Snark]
The land can be targeted by enchantments or land destroying spells
but destroy effects will be prevented from happening and enchantments
will be immediately removed. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
Does not prevent "remove from game" effects which do not destroy the card.
This includes Swords to Plowshares (if the land is animated) or
Dust to Dust (if the land is an artifact as well). [Aahz 12/21/94]
Does not prevent a land from sending itself to the graveyard, as the
Strip Mine can do. Cards which send themselves to the graveyard are
considered to be sacrifices. [bethmo 05/18/94] Disintegrate is also
not prevented since the creature never goes to the graveyard.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
A living Consecrated Land cannot be destroyed. It is effectively an
unkillable 1/1 creature. [Snark]
If it ever takes enough damage to be killed, it automatically is
regenerated and this regeneration does not cause the land to become
tapped as normal regeneration would. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
If its toughness is reduced to below zero by some effect, the land gets
stuck in an infinite loop of dying and regenerating. Because this
regeneration does not cause the land to tap, however, no effect will
be noticed. The land stays alive until the Consecration is removed.
This power works similarly for immunity to the Basilisk ability,
Disintegrate, and anything else that would kill it. [bethmo]
Note that Trample damage beyond the Land's toughness would still come
through to the player. [Aahz]
The Assembly Worker formed from Mishra's Factory follows all the rules
for any other living land with Consecrate Land on it.
Consecrate Land will not override a Legendary Land being buried if the land
is the second one into play. [Wotc Rules Team 07/27/94]
Consecrate Land will not remove itself. It prevents other Enchantments.
Conservator:
Can prevent zero, one or two points of damage to the player.
[WotC Rules Team] This makes it a good way to use up extra mana.
The Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this card should be
read as "prevents up to 2 damage to any player". This is official errata
to the card. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68] Note that the Fourth edition
version only prevents damage to you.
Note that the loss of life caused by Channel, Lich, death of a Personal
Incarnation, Shahrazad, and Bronze Tablet cannot be prevented so the
Conservator is not useful against those. [PPG Page 113]
Contract from Below:
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94 because it is only used in games for Ante.
Control Magic:
As errata to the card, the text "You control target creature until Control
Magic is removed or game ends" should be added to the card.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 131]
Steals ownership of a creature, but enchantments on the creature are
still controlled by the caster. [Snark]
Note that the controlled creature cannot be tapped or used for an attack
until you begin a turn with the creature in play. [Page 30]
Control Magic is destroyed if its target ever stops being a creature.
The last sentence refers to the creature being destroyed and not the
enchantment. [D'Angelo 03/14/95]
The word "discarded" should read "until enchantment is removed".
[WotC Rules Team]
Conversion:
Once in play, Mountains produce white mana and this white mana is
acceptable for paying the upkeep cost.
Mountains are not protected by the Consecrate Land enchantment. [Snark]
Affects only the Mountain half of a Revised edition multiland. The other
half of the multiland remains unchanged. It changes the entire land for
Limited/Unlimited edition multilands. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised versions of this card, the
last sentence should read "Pay WW during upkeep or destroy Conversion."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 131]
Copy Artifact:
There are many rules covered in the "Copy Cards" entry in the General
Rulings. Go read those first.
The copy of the artifact is still blue. The copy is both an artifact and
an enchantment, so it is a blue artifact-enchantment. [Card Text]
It can be tapped like an artifact and is the only exception to the rule
that enchantments are never tapped. [WotC Rules Team]
The decision of what to copy is part of the casting decisions. [bethmo]
This spell is targeted and checks its target on declaration and on
resolution. If the target becomes invalid before the spell resolves
then it fizzles. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 03/23/94.
Coral Helm:
+ The Fourth Edition version can be used if you have no cards but does
nothing. The Antiquities version could not be used.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Cosmic Horror:
The Fourth edition version of this card does damage you if the Horror
is regenerated after not paying upkeep. This is because the destroy
effect still happened even though the creature was not sent to the
graveyard.
Creature Bond:
You do not lose life if Swords to Plowshares is used on the creature.
Swords to Plowshares causes the card to leave the game, not to be
destroyed. [Snark]
Creatures "discarded from play" to the graveyard still cause damage
because "discarded" means the same as "destroyed". [WotC Rules Team]
This means that City in a Bottle and other effects which cause
discarding do trigger this spell.
Crimson Kobolds:
The casting cost is not a mistake.
The text on the card explaining the color is considered to be explanatory
and not characteristic text. This means that it cannot be affected by
Sleight of Mind and is not copied by copy cards such as Doppelganger.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
This card can have its color changed by a lace spell but not by
Sleight of Mind. This is a REVERSAL of a ruling in Duelist Magazine #2
on page 86. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Crimson Manticore:
Does damage at the speed of an instant and may kill the creature before
damage dealing. [Aahz 06/17/94]
Crookshank Kobolds:
See Crimson Kobolds for rulings.
Crown of the Ages:
+ Can move any enchantment on a creature to another valid creature target.
Mostly this refers to enchant creature cards, but enchant artifact cards
on an artifact creature or enchant land cards on a land creature could
also be moved. [D'Angelo 06/23/95]
+ Will not trigger a Verduran Enchantress. [D'Angelo 06/27/95]
Crumble:
If the target artifact becomes illegal before resolution, the player does
not gain any life. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Crystal Rod:
See the "Lucky Charms" entry in the General Rulings for related rulings.
Cuombajj Witches:
The Witches deal the damage, not the players (as the wording may lead you
to believe). [Aahz 05/23/95]
Both targets are chosen on announcement, but you choose your target before
the opponent chooses. [bethmo 05/23/95]
If either target becomes invlalid, the other one is still affected.
[Aahz 05/23/95]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Cursed Rack:
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
If the Limited or Unlimited edition Library of Leng is also in play, you
must still discard down to four cards, but you may discard to the top
of your library. The Revised and Fourth edition Library of Leng skips the
discard phase entirely and thereby avoids the effects of this spell.
Cyclone:
The word "discarded" should read "destroyed". This is official errata to
the card. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 136]
Cyclopean Mummy:
The Mummy does go to the graveyard and trigger effects (such as Soul Net)
which watch for something going to the graveyard. It then leaves the
game. [bethmo 06/22/94]
It does not leave the game if it goes to the graveyard from someplace other
than "in play". This includes discarding from your hand or if the spell
is countered. [bethmo 06/27/94]
Cyclopean Tomb:
The lands so changed are not considered "Enchanted" and so Consecrate
Land will not protect them. [Snark]
Cannot change Swamps (or multilands which are part Swamp) into Swamps.
[Card Text]
Can be used to change any non-swamp land (not just basic lands) into a
swamp. [bethmo]
A changed land is considered to be the new land type in all ways. This
is not just a change of name. It changes the color of mana produced
too. [Page 60]
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
As errata to the card, the last sentence should read "If Cyclopean Tomb
leaves play, remove one counter..." [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
If by any chance more than one counter is on the same land, you can
remove older ones before newer ones. For example Mountain changed to
Swamp by the Tomb, then someone Phantasmal Terrains the land to Island,
then you Swamp it again. Removing the newest counter reverts the land to
an Island. Removing the oldest one leaves the newer one in effect.
[bethmo 05/09/94]
No casting cost was listed in the Alpha printing of the Limited edition.
This was corrected in the Beta printing to show a cost of 4 colorless
mana. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68]
- - * - * - D - * - * - -
Damping Field:
Does not prevent artifacts (such as Colossus) from untapping during upkeep.
Artifact creatures are artifacts. When this in play, they untap as
artifacts and not as creatures, so only one may untap.
Dance of Many:
See the "Copy Cards" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Treat the token as a just-summoned creature of the appropriate type. If
that creature normally gets counters upon being cast, the token creature
gets counters. [bethmo 08/10/94]
Can be used on any creature which is a Summon card, even if the creature
is in play only because of Animate Dead. In the case of Animate Dead,
the copy does not have the -1 power penalty. [WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
Destroying the creature which was copied will not cause the token creature
to be destroyed as well. [Aahz 10/21/94]
This spell is targeted and checks the validity of the target when declared
and when resolving. If the creature is not still there when the copy
resolves, the spell fizzles. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Dandan:
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Dark Heart of the Wood:
The text on the card explaining the color is considered to be explanatory
and not characteristic text. This means that it cannot be affected by
Sleight of Mind. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
This card can have its color changed by a lace spell but not by
Sleight of Mind. This is a REVERSAL of a ruling in Duelist Magazine #2
on page 86. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Darkness:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Darkpact:
If you use some spell or effect (like Natural Selection) which allows you
to peek at cards in the library, you can still use Darkpact.
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94 because it is only used in games for Ante.
Dark Ritual:
Changed to use mana symbols instead of the word black mana between the
Limited/Unlimited edition and the Revised edition versions of the card.
The Revised and Fourth Edition cards can not be affected by Sleight of
Mind.
Dark Sphere:
Multiple Dark Spheres multiply in effect. So two of them will result in
1/4 damage, not zero damage. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
D'Avenant Archer:
Does damage immediately and may kill the creature before damage dealing.
[Aahz 06/17/94]
Deathgrip:
The Limited/Unlimited edition version of the card says "destroys a green
spell as it is being cast" but should be read as "counters a green
spell". [bethmo]
Deathlace:
See Chaoslace for rulings.
Deep Spawn:
The two cards put into the graveyard are not discards from your hand and so
Library of Leng does not apply. [Aahz 11/30/94]
Does not cause enchantments on it to be removed when the effect is
activated. An enchantment in play is neither a spell or an effect.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
+ Does not prevent enchantments already on it from being used.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 122]
Deep Water:
+ All affected lands produce just one blue mana regardless of how many it
might normally generate. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7] So a storage land
produces one blue even if you remove zero or three counters. Other lands
which produce more than one mana are similarly restricted.
Mana Flare will make the lands provide one extra blue mana.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
+ Will remove restrictions on how mana generated by the land is used.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] For example, the blue mana from a Mishra's
Workshop can be used for any purpose.
Delif's Cone:
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Delif's Cube:
Can be used at any point up until damage is dealt as long as the creature
is not blocked. [Aahz 12/02/94]
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Demonic Attorney:
You choose one target player. That player can either concede or you and
he both ante an additional card. It does not affect all players.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94 because it is only used in games for Ante.
Demonic Consultation:
+ The spell fails if you do not find the card before your library is empty.
You do not lose the game at that point. You lose on the next time you
have to draw. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Demonic Hordes:
May not use its ability until its upkeep is paid for that turn. [bethmo]
Paying the Hordes is optional. You may choose not to pay them but then
you take the consequences. [bethmo]
In multiplayer games, you can choose a different player each time a land is
to be destroyed due to not paying upkeep. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Alpha printing version of this card had 'B's where the black mana
symbols are in later printings.
Demonic Tutor:
This is not a draw and may not be used with Aladdin's Lamp.
[D'Angelo 02/27/95]
You do not show the card you pick out of your library to your opponent.
[bethmo]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 03/23/94.
Desert:
No, this is not a basic land type. [Snark]
As errata to the card, it should be read as "Tap: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Tap: Target attacking creature takes 1 damage at the end of combat. Play
the ability before damage is dealt." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 136]
You have to choose a target creature when tapping the desert.
Does not do damage to a creature if that creature is removed from the
combat after the Desert targets it. Some ways a creature may be
removed include Ebony Horse and having the creature be killed before
damage dealing.
Can be used on any player's attacking creatures. This includes your own
and creatures in an attack you are not involved in (multiplayer games).
[bethmo]
Multiple deserts can be used to damage the same attacker. [bethmo]
Will do damage even if Fog is played since Fog only prevents creatures from
damaging each other. There is still a damage dealing step and Desert
does damage at that time. [Aahz 03/08/95]
If the Desert leaves play before the end of the attack, the creature still
gets damaged. [D'Angelo 04/12/95]
Can still target a creature in a Banding group. Banding only distributes
combat damage.
Desert Twister:
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target
cards while the Fourth Edition on can target any permanent (including
tokens). [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Detonate:
The damage is from Detonate, and therefore is a red source. [bethmo]
If the artifact becomes an illegal target before resolution, then no
damage is done. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Diamond Valley:
The sacrifice buries the creature and all effects triggered by sending a
creature to the graveyard work (i.e. Soul Net, Rukh Egg). [bethmo]
A sacrifice cannot be prevented by either player. [Page 62]
Can only use this ability when fast effects are allowed. Note that fast
effects are not allowed during the damage dealing portion of the attack
phase and during damage prevention steps. [bethmo]
Dingus Egg:
If multiple lands are destroyed at once, each land causes the Egg to do 2
points of damage. These are all from the same source but come in
separate packets. [bethmo]
Triggers by any effect which puts a land into the graveyard from play.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Was on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments from 01/25/94 to 05/01/94. It was removed once
Antiquities and Revised edition made it easier to destroy artifacts.
Disenchant:
Regenerating artifacts can regenerate from destroy effects like this one.
The Limited and Unlimited edition versions said "discard" and they should
be read as destroy. [PPG Page 113]
Disharmony:
If the attacking creature was under the effects of Siren's Call, Nettling
Imp or similar effect, it will die at the end of the turn because this
spell makes the creature as if it never attacked. [bethmo 06/22/94]
Works even if the attacker was not tapped to attack. [Aahz 12/13/94]
Only works on creatures you don't control, and you get them untapped
regardless of the original tap state of the creature. [Aahz 12/13/94]
The artist is actually Byron Wackwitz, not Phil Foglio.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Disintegrate:
If creature is not killed by the Disintegrate but is later in the turn
given enough damage to kill it, it may not regenerate. This is true
even if all damage from the Disintegrate is prevented or if zero damage
is done in the first place (X=0). [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
Creatures killed with Disintegrate cannot regenerate during this turn. The
"cannot regenerate" is an effect of Disintegrate targeting the creature
and not an effect of the damage. So it works even if the damage is
prevented or redirected away. If redirected, the damage does not take
this effect with it. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
Disintegrated creatures do not go to the graveyard at all before
leaving the game. They do not trigger effects which happen due to
a creature going to the graveyard. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
As always "a target" means any creature or player.
As errata, add "and cannot be regnerated" to the Revised Edition version of
this card. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
The Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this card do not
allow the creature to regenerate during this turn (even if all the damage
is prevented or redirected) and if the creature is destroyed by any
means, it leaves the game instead of going to the graveyard.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68] The Fourth edition version only removes
the creature from the game if it dies due to lethal damage. Any other
destroy effect will send it to the graveyard as normal.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Disrupting Scepter:
Forces discard from a player's hand and not from cards in play.
Can only be used during your turn. [Card Text]
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent". This means
you can use it on yourself. In multiplayer games this allows you to
choose a different player each time it is used.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] The Fourth edition is worded correctly.
Can be used on a player with no cards with no effect.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Divine Intervention:
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94 because it forces a tie and this messes
up tournaments.
Divine Offering:
This is not a sacrifice. You may regenerate the creature without losing
the life bonus. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
It can be used on your opponent's artifacts. [bethmo 09/05/94]
If the target artifact becomes illegal before resolution, you do not gain
any life. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Dragon Engine:
Since the cost does not require tapping, this ability can be pumped for
more than one use in a single activation. [bethmo]
Dragon Whelp:
Can spend up to RRR each turn without it dying. It does not remember
between turns as to how much was spent on it. [Chris Page]
Drain Life:
As errata to the card, the following text should be added: "If you drain
life from a player, you cannot gain more life than that player's life
total." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 131]
You can put as much Black mana as you want into this spell, but you
cannot drain more life than the creature's toughness. You may gain up
to the total toughness of the creature even if it was already damaged.
[PPG Page 70]
The amount of mana put into the spell is determined at time of casting,
and is spent at that time but is not considered part of the casting cost.
[bethmo]
The Alpha printing version of this card had a 'B' where the black mana
symbol is in later printings.
Drain Power:
Since this is a sorcery, your opponent may use instants and interrupts in
response to this spell before you get the mana from their mana pool and
lands.
If a land can draw more than one color of mana (by choice) then the
target player (not the caster of this spell) chooses which colors are
drawn. [bethmo]
If a land has different amounts of mana that can be drawn, the maximum will
be drawn from the land. This may cause the land to sacrifice itself (in
the case of some lands) or to remove counters in the case of other lands.
[D'Angelo 02/15/95] Note that such lands can be tapped by your opponent
at interrupt speeds for the lesser amount of mana prior to Drain Power
resolving. If this happens, all you get is what is in their pool.
As errata to the card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent".
This means you can use it on yourself. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Limited/Unlimited edition versions of this card required tapping of all
lands, not just mana producing ones. [Aahz 07/29/94] The Revised and
Fourth edition versions only tap lands for mana.
Dream Coat:
The color change can be used once per turn (either player's turn) and lasts
only until the end of that turn. [bethmo 06/21/94] Note that it's common
to just assume a player is every turn declaring the creature to be of the
last color declared instead of forcing them to do so constantly, but if
a timing question comes up, this might be important.
The color change is part of the enchantment and goes away if the enchantment
does. [bethmo 06/21/94]
Even though it works at the speed of an interrupt, its effects are not
permanent. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Setting the color is not a casting decision. [Aahz 07/25/94]
Since this effect is not permanent, it will not be copied by a Clone.
[D'Angelo 05/19/95]
Drop of Honey:
Ignore creatures with Protection from Green in choosing which creature it
destroys. [WotC Rules Team]
Creatures with Protection from Green count in determining if Drop of
Honey stays in play. [WotC Rules Team]
If the target becomes invalid after declaration of target, you must choose
another target. [WotC Rules Team 09/30/94] If there is no valid target
on announcement and on resolution of this upkeep effect, then you do not
have to choose a creature. If a creature becomes valid between
announcement and resolution, then the no target choice fizzles and you
must pick a new target. [D'Angelo 05/31/95]
The word "discarded" should read "destroyed". [PPG Page 113]
Dust to Dust:
Since this is "removal from game", it does not count as destruction and is
therefore not preventable by Guardian Beast or any form of regeneration.
[Aahz 09/01/94]
Must have 2 targets at time of casting in order to be declared.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 6]
If one target is removed or becomes invalid after declaration, the other
target is still affected. [Aahz 08/12/94]
Dwarven Catapult:
Count the number of creatures on resolution of the spell and divide X by
that number at that time. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94] If the number of
creatures changes before resolution, the damage done may be different
than what you expected.
Targets one opposing player. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Dwarven Hold:
See Bottomless Vault for rulings.
Dwarven Ruins:
When Drain Power or Power Sink are resolve and you are forced to
"draw all mana" from your lands, you must sacrifice this land if it
is untapped. [D'Angelo 02/15/95] Note that you can tap the land for
one mana in response to the Power Sink or Drain Power before they
resolve and keep the land.
Dwarven Warriors:
Can be tapped at any time to make a creature unblockable. For example,
if you had Orcish Oriflamme in play, you could tap the Dwarves to make
a 2/2 creature unblockable before you declare an attack. Once the
attack is declared, the creature is 3/2 because the Oriflamme.
[bethmo]
Can enhance the creature any way you want after the Dwarves make it
unblockable without losing the effect. [bethmo/Revised Card Text]
Can be used after a creature is blocked but has no effect. Once a
creature is blocked, it cannot be unblocked by anything other than
False Orders. [bethmo]
Dwarven Weaponsmith:
The Arabian version cannot use the ability unless you have an artifact to
sacrifice. It is part of the cost. [Aahz]
The "place in the graveyard" statement on the Arabian version is actually a
"sacrifice" and is a cost which cannot be prevented.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
- - * - * - E - * - * - -
Earthbind:
+ As errata to all versions of this card, it should read "When Earthbind
comes into play, it deals 2 damage to target creature is enchants if that
creature has flying. That creature loses flying."
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
The two damage happens only once, and just like other damage it goes away
at the end of the turn. [PPG Page 222]
If Flight is cast on an Earthbound creature, it gains flying again. In
general, if two enchantments contradict each other, the most recently
cast wins. [Page 45]
The Limited and Unlimited editions of this card were only castable on
flying creatures. The Revised edition card can be cast on any creature
but has no effect on non-flying creatures. Note that the Limited and
Unlimited versions of this spell do not remove themselves once the
creature is not flying.
Earthlore:
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Ignore the first sentence of this card up to the comma.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ It is buried if you lose control of the target land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Earthquake:
This is not a targeted spell, so it may be cast when there are no
creatures in play. [bethmo]
Eater of the Dead:
As errata, the card should read "0: Untap eater of the dead to remove
target creature in the graveyard from the game."
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
It untaps during the resolution of its effect. If it is not tapped at
the time when it resolves, then the effect fizzles and no creature is
removed from the game. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
The untap is not a cost at all. It still untaps as normal during untap
unless otherwise prevented. The ability is not inhibited by other effects
that prevent normal untapping such as Meekstone, Paralyze, Smoke, etc.
[Aahz 08/10/94]
Ebon Stronghold:
See Dwarven Ruins for rulings.
Ebony Horse:
The Arabian Nights and Revised edition versions of this card made the
creature treated as if it never attacked. The creature is not considered
to have attacked for purposes of "attack or die" effects like Siren's
Call. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
With the Arabian version, the Clockwork Beast did not last until the end
of combat so it does not lose a counter. [bethmo 08/08/94]
The Fourth edition version of this card only attacks the creature and makes
it neither take nor deal damage. It is still attacking, however.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Elder Land Wurm:
Since it cannot attack until it has blocked at least once, it can be
effectively killed by a Nettling Imp or Siren's Call effect.
[Aahz 06/24/94]
El-Hajjaj:
The Arabian and Revised edition versions give you life for the total
amount of unprevented damage inflicted regardless of the toughness of the
target. For example, if an El-Hajjaj with Unholy Strength is blocked by
a 1/1 Goblin, you get 3 life, but if a Samite Healer prevents one point,
you get 2 life. The Fourth Edition version only gives you life up to a
maximum of the creature's toughness or player's life total.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Elkin Bottle:
+ This is not considered to be drawing a card. [Aahz 06/12/95]
+ If the Bottle leaves play or your control, the spell is put in your
graveyard. [D'Angelo 06/14/95]
Elvish Archers:
The Alpha printing version of this card was a 1/2 creature. All further
printings were corrected to make it a 2/1 creature.
Elvish Farmer:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Elvish Scout:
Can prevent damage from being dealt but does not prevent special abilities
like the Basilisk stoning. [Aahz 12/02/94]
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Enchantment Alteration:
Think of this spell as removing the enchantment from the original target
and then re-casting it on the new target. Any lasting effects on the
original target remain, and the enchantment retains any changes due to
interrupts or counters that it had prior to being moved. So Cocoon and
Living Artifact keep counters when moved. If the card normally resets
values when being cast, the counters or such are reset. [Aahz 10/25/94]
Cannot move an enchantment to an illegal target. [Card Text]
Cannot move an Animate Dead enchantment onto a live creature. You can
move it only any creature in either graveyard. This has the effect of
sending the old creature the the graveyard and bringing the new one into
play. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
You can move an Animate Dead enchantment onto another creature which already
has Animate Dead on it. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
When the enchantment is moved, any one-time effects of the enchantment
take effect on the new target. For example, if you move Earthbind to
a Flying creature, it will take two damage. [bethmo 07/13/94]
When the enchantment is moved, it forgets that it had been used that turn.
So, you can use an Instill Energy again if you move it.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
If you move an enchantment such as Firebreathing after mana has been spent
to pump it up, the effects of the pumping are directly on the creature and
do not move with the Firebreathing card. [Aahz 12/16/94]
You can move a Blue Ward since it offers protection to the creature and not
to itself. [bethmo 09/14/94]
If the enchantment itself has upkeep costs or effects and you deal with them
prior to moving it, you still have to deal with them again because it
acts as just cast and forgets you dealt with it.
[WotC Rules Team 11/16/94]
If there is an X in the casting cost of the enchantment, treat X as zero.
[D'Angelo 04/14/95]
Enduring Renewal:
+ Token creatures are removed from the game if they end up in the graveyard
or your hand, so this effect will not let you get them in your hand.
[D'Angelo 06/08/95]
+ The creature does go to the graveyard (triggering any effects) before it
goes to your hand. [D'Angelo 06/20/95]
+ You can use Resurrection or Safe Haven to get creatures into play.
[D'Angelo 06/14/95]
+ If you Animate Dead a creature then the Animate is removed, the creature
goes to your hand. [D'Angelo 06/14/95]
+ If the creature is only a creature due to an effect, it still comes to your
hand. [D'Angelo 06/14/95] This includes Mishra's Factory and any other
way to animate a card.
Energy Flux:
The Guardian Beast will prevent your artifacts from being destroyed, so
it can make you immune to this effect.
Read the word "discarded" on the Arabian version as meaning "destroyed".
This is official errata to the card. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 137]
+ The Antiquities and Revised edition versions of this card imposed an upkeep
cost on artifacts. Those artifacts could not have abilities used until
after the cost was paid or the upkeep was dealt with by destroying them.
You can deal with each artifact one at a time. [D'Angelo 06/07/95]
See the "Upkeep" entry in the "Turn Order" section of the General Rulings
for more info on upkeep costs.
+ The Fourth edition version of this card is not an upkeep cost, it is simply
an upkeep effect. It will destroy all artifacts at one time when it's
effect is announced and the destruction can be prevented during damage
prevention by paying the cost or by other means. [D'Angelo 06/07/95]
(This seems to be under contention since the rules team wants it to act
like the older card does, but the wording reads this way. Be prepared
for a reversal here.)
Energy Tap:
As errata, the Fourth Edition card should say "Tap target untapped creature
you control..." because it should not target a tapped creature under
Fourth Edition rules. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Equinox:
+ As errata, this card should read "Choose target land you control. {0}:
Tap land Equinox enchants to counter target spell that will send one
or more lands you control to the graveyard. Play this ability as
an interrupt." [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Can be used to counter any spell which would result in the destruction
of one or more of your lands. For example a Shatter cast on an
Assembly Worker or even a Lightning Bolt at an animated land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Works whether the destroy is due to an explicit "the card is destroyed"
or if the spell delivers lethal damage. [Aahz 10/07/94]
Cannot be used to counter non-spell effects such as Demonic Hordes or
others which destroy lands. [bethmo 06/14/94]
Cannot be used to counter a spell which creates a condition where a land
may be destroyed at a later time. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Can be used to counter a spell which requires sacrificing on resolution
such as Mold Daemon or Wood Elemental. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
But not one that requires sacrificing as part of the casting cost.
[Aahz 12/17/94] Mana Vortex was accidentally listed in the ruling
but cannot be countered by Equinox since it sacrifices as a cost.
[Aahz 12/17/94]
Does not stop the sending of the land from play into its owner's hand.
[Aahz 06/16/94]
This spell effectively adds a new ability to the land which can be used
by tapping it. It does not remove previous abilities or allow you to
tap it for more than one ability at a time. It's just another option.
[Aahz 06/22/94]
Note that only the controller of the enchantment can use the ability, so
if you put Equinox on your opponent's land, they can't use it and neither
can you. [bethmo 07/14/94]
Erg Raiders:
If tapped and unable to attack, they still do 2 damage to the controller
of this card. [Snark]
Erhnam Djinn:
Must target a creature if one is available that can be targeted.
[Aahz 05/19/95] If no target is available on announcement of handling
this upkeep effect and none is available on resolution of this effect,
then no creature is affected. If a creature becomes a valid target before
resolution, then the effect fizzles and you must choose a new target.
[D'Angelo 05/31/95]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different player's creature each time
it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Erosion:
Applies an upkeep cost to the land. This makes the land unable to pay for
its own upkeep since you cannot tap the land until after the upkeep is
paid. [D'Angelo 01/20/95]
Eternal Flame:
Targets one opposing player. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Eureka:
The cards played during Eureka all enter play one at a time. This means
that if two of the same Legend are put into play as the result of this
spell that the second one is buried, not both of them. [Aahz 06/22/94]
You keep putting cards out until both/all players say they are done. It is
not until one player says they are done. You alternate simply to stop
one player from putting out too many cards in a row when the other player
wants to play some. Another way to think of this is to go around the
table. Each player may play a card or pass. Eureka ends once an entire
pass around the table is made where everyone passes.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
The cards are just put into play. They are not cast, and so they cannot be
countered, will not trigger "gain 1 life when" or other effects (such as
the Verduran Enchantress) that can only be used when a spell is cast.
[Aahz 09/02/94]
Applies to all players in multiplayer games. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Evil Eye of Orms-By-Gore:
Will prevent Akron Legionnaires from attacking. [Aahz 10/21/94]
Evil Presence:
A changed land is considered to be the new land type in all ways. This
is not just a change of name. It changes the color of mana produced
too. [Page 60]
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Eye for an Eye:
Can be used for damage from creatures, spells and the effects of
permanents, but not from mana burn. [Card Text] The Arabian version was
not usable on damage from non creature permanents.
Cannot be used on effects that cause loss of life. This includes
Shahrazad, Channel, and death of a Personal Incarnation. It can only
be used on damage. [bethmo]
Since it does allow you to reduce damage, you may use a Circle of
Protection or other form of damage prevention to reduce the damage and
still do full damage to your opponent. [bethmo]
+ Can be used during damage prevention even though it is not a damage
prevention or redirection effect. It's an exception. [Aahz 06/12/95]
Can only be used during a damage prevention in which the player is
damaged. It cannot be used retroactively like Reverse Damage and
Simulacrum can. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Does white damage to your opponent.
- - * - * - F - * - * - -
The Fallen:
Will not damage the controller, only opponents of the controller. So, if
you managed to take control of someone else's The Fallen after being
damaged by it, you will not be damaged. [Aahz 02/08/95]
The effect is not cumulative. If a player is hit more than once, they
still only take one damage from The Fallen each turn.
Fallen Angel:
You can sacrifice as many creatures as you want to the Angel at any time
that fast effects are allowed. [Aahz 06/14/94]
Can sacrifice itself. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Falling Star:
It must flip like a coin and not like a frisbee. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Only cards touched when it stops moving are affected. Not ones touched
while it is moving. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
False Orders:
This spell can be cast after defenders are chosen and effectively changes
a decision made by your opponent as to if and how one creature blocks
or does not block. [Snark]
Can only give legal orders to a creature. If your opponent could not
make the choice on their own, False Orders cannot make them do it.
[bethmo]
You cannot use this spell to make a creature not block a Lured creature
because that is not a legal action. [bethmo]
You cannot use this spell to add a creature to block or to remove a creature
from blocking when Goblin War Drums is in effect, unless the resulting
block is still legal. [Aahz 01/27/95]
If something happens between the casting and resolution of False Orders
which makes the blocking choice illegal, then the spell fizzles.
[Aahz 06/06/94]
If a creature is removed from being a blocker, any effects on the creature
that would have happened because it was declared as a blocker still
happen. For example, a creature which was blocking the Aisling
Leprechaun and was removed still becomes green. [Aahz 03/10/95]
Farmstead:
Only one life per turn can be gained from this card.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] Some people have read the card to say that
it can be used multiple times during a turn, but this is incorrect.
Payment is not an activation cost, so it is not affected by the Revised
Gloom card. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Note that the controller of the enchantment is the only one that can pay
the cost, but the controller of the land is the one that gets the life
point. [WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
+ It is used on the controller of Farmstead's upkeep and not the controller
of the land's upkeep unless they are the same person.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Farrelite Priest:
Mana which changes color as it goes through the Priest forgets its original
source. [Aahz 01/24/95]
Farrel's Mantle:
See the "Is Not Blocked" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
This enchantment gives the creature the ability to deal damage, and
therefore the damage is considered to come from the creature and not from
the enchantment. [Aahz 12/02/94] Creatures like Sengir Vampire that get
credit for damaging a creature get credit when using the Mantle.
[D'Angelo 01/18/95]
The ability is given to the creature and is used by the creature's
controller and not the enchantment's controller. [Aahz 12/13/94]
The creature's controller (not the enchantment's controller) gets to use
the ability. If put on an opponent's creature, you don't make decisions
about it. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
As errata to the card "opponent" should be read as "defending player".
Thus, when the ability is used, it does no damage to the defending player.
[WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
Farrel's Zealot:
See the "Is Not Blocked" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
In a multiplayer game, the target creature does not need to be one of the
ones controlled by the player you actually attacked.
Fastbond:
You can only play land cards when it would otherwise be legal to play a
land. This means only on your turn during your main phase.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Playing a land is not a fast effect, so they must be played out one at a
time. Only the restriction to one land per turn was removed. Lands are
still played the same way they normally are. [Aahz 12/21/94]
You take damage whether you play a land using Fastbond's effect or using
any other effect like Gaea's Touch or Eureka. [bethmo 09/20/94]
Fasting:
Note that using this spell causes you to skip your draw phase entirely,
so it cannot be used in combination with draw phase effects like
Island Sanctuary or Howling Mine. [bethmo 08/10/94]
Feint:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Feldon's Cane:
Is removed from play when the effect is announced and not when it
resolves. [D'Angelo 03/01/95]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 05/02/94.
Fellwar Stone:
Cannot be tapped for mana if opponent has no mana producing lands.
[bethmo 09/26/94]
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
+ The Dark version of this card can only generate colored mana. It cannot
generate colorless mana if an opponent controls a land that generates
colorless mana. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10] (This is a REVERSAL).
+ The Fourth Edition version of the card can generate colorless mana if
the opponent has a land that does so. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Festival:
Since this stops your opponent from declaring an attack, it can be very
effectively used with Siren's Call to kill all your opponent's creatures.
[bethmo 08/10/94]
Targets one opposing player. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Field of Dreams:
If you get to draw more than one card from the library at a time (such as
with Ancestral Recall), after drawing each card you turn the next one
face up. This means that all cards drawn are seen by all players.
[bethmo 06/18/94] This is in line with all other rulings which say that
each draw is really a separate action, but that they are done in sequence.
Fireball:
If split for multiple targets, each target can receive only one of the
splits. You may not multiply target something. [bethmo]
If the damage to creatures is redirected to the player (via Jade Monolith
or other effect), each split of the fireball is a separate damage
packet for purposes of Circle of Protection. [WotC Rules Team 01/24/94]
The mana spent for extra targets is not part of the casting cost for
Spell Blast or other reasons. [Peterson 10/14/94]
As always "a target" means any creature or player.
Firestorm Phoenix:
No matter how it goes to the graveyard from play, it returns to its owner's
hand. [Aahz 06/16/94]
The Phoenix power works even for Clones or Doppelgangers of a Phoenix.
The Clone or Doppelganger goes to your hand immediately after going to
the graveyard. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
As errata to the card, treat the word "instead" as being "after". The
Phoenix does go to the graveyard and trigger effects (such as Soul Net)
which watch for something going to the graveyard. It then jumps into the
player's hand. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Does not return if Disintegrated because Disintegrated creatures do not go
to the graveyard first. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Does return if a Runesword is used on it and it is destroyed.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94] The Runesword sends creatures to the graveyard
first.
Flood:
Artist's name is spelled incorrectly.
Floral Spuzzem:
See the "Is Not Blocked" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
The artifact may be regenerated if it is an artifact creature.
[bethmo 06/16/94]
The artifact cannot be saved by any means which is not legal during damage
prevention. [bethmo 06/16/94]
Flying Carpet:
Destroyed if creature using it is goes to the graveyard or gets removed
from the game. It is not destroyed if the creature regenerates.
[Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Fog:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
The Revised edition version does stop blocking abilities, but does not undo
any that have already occurred. For example, it will prevent the Thicket
Basilisk's destroy ability if used before damage dealing, but it will not
undo the Aisling Leprechaun's ability once it has taken effect.
[Aahz 03/17/95]
Can be played before an attack, or during an attack before damage is
dealt. [bethmo]
The Revised edition versions of this card prevents special abiltiies due
to blocking in addition to the normal prevention of creatures dealing
damage. The Limited, Unlimited and Fourth edition versions only prevent
the dealing of damage. The Fourth edition version is the only version
usable after combat (to waste the card). [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Forbidden Lore:
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Ignore the first sentence of this card up to the comma.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Forcefield:
In the Fourth edition rules, the Forcefield removes all but one point of
damage from an unblocked creature. The remaining point of damage
retains its color and may be prevented or redirected as per normal
means (including the Veteran Bodyguard). [PPG Page 113]
Treat this card as saying "(1): Prevents all but one damage to you from
an unblocked attacking creature". This is official errata to the
card. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
The "Errata" article in Duelist Magazine #2 incorrectly lists the cost of
Forcefield as "(T,3)". Ignore this typo. [Duelist Companion #2, Page 3]
Cannot be used to prevent damage caused by a blocked creature with
Trample ability. [bethmo]
Force of Nature:
It is not mandatory to pay the upkeep cost. You may choose not to pay
and to take the damage. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 15]
COP:Green can be used to prevent damage due to not paying upkeep.
[Snark]
The Alpha printing version of this card had 'G's where the green mana
symbols are in all further printings.
Force Spike:
The payment is optional. [Aahz 09/02/94]
Forgotten Lore:
+ You can keep paying until you're happy with the card choice or run out of
green mana. This isn't particluarly clear from the card text, however.
[Aahz 06/08/95]
Fork:
You need not (and may not) pay any additional mana or other costs (like
sacrifices) to use the spell which is Forked. You get control over a
complete copy. [bethmo 07/18/94]
If mana or other costs need to be spent at resolution of the spell, the
caster of Fork would still be responsible for paying that cost.
[bethmo 07/18/94]
You maintain full control over the copy of the spell regardless of who
cast the original. [Snark]
The text "just cast" should read as "being cast". This is official errata
to the card. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
For spells like Fireball that allow mana to be used for damage or for
additional targets, the controller of the copy must use the same
number of targets the original spell did. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
Forking a spell with an X in the cost like Detonate requires you to use
the same X value. In the case of Detonate, you must find an artifact
with exactly the cost X. [WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
Once a Fork is completed, the new copy is placed on top of the current
stack. The copy will resolve before the original. [bethmo 05/03/94]
The Fork card itself acts as the copy once Fork resolves. The Fork becomes
the spell and will not go to the graveyard until the copy resolves.
If something happens to the spell card being copied, the Fork will act
completely as that card. For example, Recall removes itself from the
game, so a Fork of Recall will remove the Fork card. [Aahz 02/17/95]
Note that the copy created by the Fork is itself never actually cast and
so it cannot be the target of interrupts. It is just the result of the
casting of Fork. [Aahz 12/14/94]
When Forking Shahrazad and you lose both sub-games, you lose half of your
life, and then half of what is left. [WotC Rules Team]
Will copy changes made by interrupts to the spell prior to the use of Fork,
such as Sleight of Mind or Magical Hack. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Timing can get complicated if other interrupts are used. See the "Spell
and Effect Timing" section in the General Rulings for more information.
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only one allowed in
a deck) for tournaments since 04/19/95.
Frankenstein's Monster:
You declare X when the spell is cast and X can be any number. It does not
have to match the current contents of your graveyard. If there are not
at least X creatures in the graveyard when it resolves, then the spell
fizzles. [bethmo 09/09/94]
Fungusaur:
Regeneration prevents death, so even if it would have died, it took
damage and lived so it gets its +1/+1. [bethmo]
The Limited and Unlimited versions of this card gain +1/+1 every time it
is damaged and not killed. This can occur more than once in a turn.
The Revised and Fourth edition cards only gain one counter at the end of
any turn in which it is damaged.
- - * - * - G - * - * - -
Gaea's Avenger:
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Gaea's Liege:
If you have 5 Forests and your opponent has 10 Forests and the Liege
takes 7 damage during an attack, that once the attack is over, the
Liege is no longer attacking and will be killed. [bethmo]
The "change to forest" effect cannot be prevented by Consecrate Land or
removed by Tranquility because it is not an enchantment. [Snark]
This can change any land (not just basic lands) into a Forest. [bethmo]
A changed land is considered to be the new land type in all ways. This
is not just a change of name. It changes the color of mana produced
too. [Page 60]
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
The Limited and Unlimited edition versions of this card define conditions
for "attacking" and "defending" when it should say "attacking" and
"not-attacking". [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
Gaea's Touch:
Cannot put out multilands which generate green mana because they are not
_basic_ Forests. They do count as part Forest once they enter play but
this spell applies to cards in your hand. [Aahz 08/09/94]
You have to say when you put the land out that it is the one you get because
of Gaea's Touch. [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95] Thus, you cannot put out
a Forest, play Gaea's Touch, then play another land claiming that the
first one was under Gaea's Touch.
+ Can get a Snow-Covered Forest. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Gaseous Form:
The Legends version reduced damage dealt to the creature in combat to zero.
The Fourth edition version acts like a single creature Fog effect.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10] See the "Fog Effects" entry in the
General Rulings.
Gauntlet of Might:
Multilands which have Mountain as one of their types produce an extra red
mana when tapped for either color. [bethmo]
Mountains do not produce two mana when Conversion is in play because all
the Mountains are now Plains instead. [Snark]
If a Mountain is tapped using Twiddle or Icy Manipulator while the
Gauntlet is in play, the owner of the Mountain gets one red mana added
to their pool. The Gauntlet says that if the land gets tapped, an
additional red mana gets generated. [bethmo]
Was on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments from 01/25/94 to 05/01/94. It was removed once
Antiquities and Revised edition made it easier to destroy artifacts.
Gauntlets of Chaos:
Creatures with Artifact Ward on them may be selected, but this will cause
the effect to fizzle and nothing will change hands. [Aahz 07/13/94]
Only the one creature/land/artifact of your opponent's is selected
when you declare this effect. On resolution of the spell, you first
take control of that target, then select a target from your cards.
If you had no other cards to swap, then you must give back the one you
took. If the first target became invalid then the effect fizzles and
no swap is made. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
General Jarkeld:
+ If a creature is removed from being a blocker, any effects on the creature
that would have happened because it was declared as a blocker still
happen. For example, an attacker which was blocking a Basilisk but
was switched away would still be affected by the Basilisk. [Aahz 03/10/95]
Ghazban Ogre:
As errata to the card, add the text "If you are tied for highest life
total, Ghazban Ogre does not change controller. If other players are
tied for highest life total and you are not, choose randomly which player
gets control of Ghazban Ogre." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 136]
It is up to the current controller as to when during upkeep that the Ogre
looks for a new master. This can be before or after any other upkeep
steps are resolved or spells used. [bethmo]
+ The Ogre's changing of controllers is a new effect each upkeep so it will
take precedence over any other control effects. This means that using
Control Magic on a Ghazban Ogre won't guarantee that you keep it.
[Aahz 06/14/95] (This is a REVERSAL)
Ghostly Flame:
+ Does not make red and black spells and permanents colorless. They still
have color. They just do colorless damage. [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
+ If the source has more than one color but at least one is red or black,
then the damage is colorless and all the other colors are forgotten.
[D'Angelo 06/21/95]
Giant Shark:
Only gains its bonus if the blocking creature was damaged before blocking
was declared. Damaging the creature later will not give the Shark the
bonus. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
Only gets the bonus once, regardless of the number of blockers or their
condition. [Aahz 10/21/94]
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Giant Slug:
The choice of landwalk ability is made during upkeep and not at the time
the mana is spent. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
If the Slug changes controllers after the mana is spent, the player who
controls it during its next upkeep can select a landwalk ability.
[bethmo 06/16/94]
Giant Turtle:
It only cares if it attacked on _your_ last turn, and not your opponent's.
This makes a difference if you take control of the Turtle during your
opponent's turn after it attacks. You can use it on your turn because
it began your turn in play and because you did not attack with it last
turn. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Glacial Chasm:
+ If there are no lands in play when this enters play, you have to sacrifice
this card. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Glasses of Urza:
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited, and Revised versions of this card, it
should read "target player" instead of "opponent". This means you can
use it on yourself. In multiplayer games this allows you to choose a
different player each time it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Fourth edition version of this card says this.
Gloom:
The additional 3 mana cost is colorless. [bethmo]
The extra mana is not considered part of the casting cost. A Spell Blast
would still only require the original casting cost as X in order to
counter the spell. [Aahz 09/02/94]
The extra mana is not considered part of the activation cost. It is a
separate cost. [Aahz 09/02/94] If an artifact enchantment (Copy Artifact)
with an activation cost were Purelaced, Power Artifact could be used to
reduce the base cost, but not the Gloom cost. [Aahz 12/13/94]
The cost only applies once per activation even if the activation is multiply
pumped. For example, if Holy Armor were pumped with 5 mana in one
activation there would be only one Gloom cost and not 5. [Aahz 02/05/95]
Farmstead's cost is not an activation cost and so it is not affected by
the Revised Gloom.
The Limited and Unlimited versions of this card only affected the casting
of white spells and the use of Circles of Protection. The Revised
and Fourth edition cards affect any white spells and the use of white
enchantments with activation costs. Players with Holy Armor and such
are in for a surprise. Note that this does not include upkeep costs,
and that the Revised and Fourth edition cards will not affect Circles
which are xxxxlaced to another color.
Glyph of Destruction:
As errata, the card should read "Target blocking wall you control gets
+10/+0 until end of turn. Until end of turn, any damage dealt to that
wall is reduced to 0. Destroy the wall at end of turn".
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Can only be played on a blocking wall. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Glyph of Doom:
Being destroyed at "end of combat" happens after damage resolution for
normal damage dealing. This can result in a regenerating creature having
to regenerate twice... once for damage dealing and once at "end of
combat". [Aahz 01/19/95]
Glyph of Life:
Yes, you can play this on your opponent's Walls to good effect.
[bethmo 06/14/94]
This is not redirection of damage. The Wall still takes the damage.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Glyph of Reincarnation:
First place all the surviving creatures in the graveyard, then choose the
appropriate number of creatures from the attacker's graveyard and
put them into play. Some or all of them may be the same creatures
which were just buried. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Yes, you can play this on your opponent's Walls to good effect.
[bethmo 06/14/94]
Goblin Artisans:
The ability is treated as an interrupt because it can counter a spell.
This is considered errata to the card. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player to call the
coin toss each time it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Goblin Balloon Brigade:
Does not grant flying to all goblins, just this one card. [PPG Page 225]
Can power it up repeatedly during a turn. This generally has no additional
effect, but can use up a red mana each time. [Aahz]
Goblin Caves:
Multilands which are part Mountain are not Basic Mountains. [Aahz 08/10/94]
Works even if placed on one of your opponent's Mountains.
[D'Angelo 01/18/95]
Goblin Chirurgeon:
Can sacrifice itself. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Goblin Grenade:
You cannot sacrifice more than one Goblin to get a greater effect.
[Aahz 11/15/94]
When Forked, you do not need to sacrifice another Goblin. The Goblin was
part of the cost and need not be repaid when using Fork.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 6]
Goblin King:
Grants the abilities to all cards which say "Summon Goblins" and not
itself. [PPG Page 225]
The abilities begin once the King is in play and immediately cease if it
leaves play.
Grants these abilities to Goblins owned by all players. [Snark]
The Revised and Fourth edition cards are "Summon Lord" while the Limited
and Unlimited edition ones are "Summon Goblin King". This currently has
no effect on play, however. [Aahz 10/06/94]
Goblin Kites:
In multiplayer games can choose a different opposing player each time it is
used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Goblin Rock Sled:
Is not a Goblin so it does not get Goblin bonuses. [Aahz 08/09/94]
As errata, The Dark version should say "defending player" instead of
"opponent". [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Goblin Shrine:
Multilands which are part Mountain are not Basic Mountains. [Aahz 08/10/94]
Works even if placed on one of your opponent's Mountains.
[D'Angelo 01/18/95]
Goblin Snowmen:
+ Since they cannot be assigned damage, if they are the only creature blocking
a trampling creature, all the damage goes through to the defender.
[Aahz 06/09/95] This is similar to a built in Fog effect, so see the
"Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Goblin War Drums:
Multiple War Drums are not cumulative. They are just redundant.
[Aahz 12/032/94]
This card can be simply interpreted as saying that a creature cannot be
blocked by exactly one blocker.
If a banded group is used, one member of the band must be blocked by at
least 2 creatures at once. You do not need 2 creatures for each member
of the band and you cannot use 1 creature each on 2 different members of
a band. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Goblin Warrens:
Yes, the token Goblins can be fed back to the Warrens to generate new
Goblins. They are Goblin creatures in every way.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7] Basically, you are paying R2
for each Goblin. But, this removes enchantments from existing Goblins
and now all 3 of the new ones entered play this turn and cannot be used
until next turn.
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Golgothian Sylex:
Only affects cards with the Antiquities anvil symbol on them. It does
not affect cards that came from the Antiquities expansion into the main
set. [bethmo 06/04/94]
Creatures may regenerate from being destroyed this way. [Aahz]
Guardian Beast will prevent Antiquities artifacts from being destroyed,
but will not stop the Sylex from destroying itself.
As errata, read the word "discarded" as meaning "destroyed". [PPG Page 113]
Gosta Dirk:
Allows any creature controlled by any player to block IslandWalking
creatures as if they did not have this ability. It is not limited to
just Gosta. [Aahz 06/17/94]
Grapeshot Catapult:
+ The Fourth Edition version has an activation cost while the Antiquities
version just had an ability to deal damage. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Gravity Sphere:
It removes Flying from all creatures in play when it enters play and from
each creature as that creature enters play. It does not prevent Flying
ability being given to the creature _after_ the Sphere is in play.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8] See the "Existing Effects" entry in the
Timing section of the General Rulings for more information.
Greed:
As errata, the card should read "B: Pay 2 life to draw a card. Effects that
prevent or redirect damage may not be used to counter this loss of life."
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
The loss of life is a payment. [Aahz 02/21/95]
You cannot spend more life on Greed than you have.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
Green Mana Battery:
See Black Mana Battery for rulings.
Green Ward:
See Black Ward for rulings.
Grizzled Wolverine:
+ The ability can only be used once per turn. Period. You cannot multiply
pump it and it has nothing to do with the number of blockers. The text
"use this ability only once" is equivalent to "only R can be spent in
this way each turn". [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
+ You cannot even pay for more than one use if you want to as a way to sink
extra mana. [D'Angelo 06/12/95]
Guardian Angel:
Unlike most damage prevention effects, this spell targets the creature or
player in addition to targeting the damage. This means it cannot be used
on a creature with Protection from White. Other damage prevention effects
normally only target the damage. [Aahz 01/17/95]
Guardian Beast:
Does not prevent an artifact from destroying itself. An artifact which
destroys itself is actually a "sacrifice". [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
These include the Black Lotus and Suleiman's Bottle.
Can prevent cards which say "destroy at end of turn" from being destroyed
because this is not considered a "sacrifice". It is not an effect or
cost of being used. [Aahz]
The terms "discarded" or "discard from play" were used in Arabian Nights,
Antiquities and the Limited and Unlimited editions to mean "destroyed"
and so can be prevented. [WotC Rules Team 01/29/94]
The term "placed in the graveyard" was used in Antiquities to mean
"sacrifice", such effects cannot be prevented by the Beast. [Aahz]
Does not prevent removal from the game as from Dust to Dust.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
Does not prevent you from giving back artifacts that were stolen by
Aladdin or Steal Artifact when Aladdin or Steal Artifact are removed.
[bethmo]
Does not protect artifact creatures. [Card Text] This includes Animated
artifacts. Note that it also prevents Animate Artifact from being cast
on a protected artifact. [bethmo]
Does not prevent non-targeted enchantment effects like Titania's Song, or
targeted effects which are not enchantments like Xenic Poltergeist.
These are particularly useful since they make the artifact into a creature
which the Beast will not protect. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
- - * - * - H - * - * - -
Hammerheim:
Can be used on a creature without landwalking but has no effect.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Hand of Justice:
Creatures tap as part of the spell resolution. [Aahz 02/02/95]
"Summoning sickness" does not prevent creatures from being tapped as part
of a spell resolution. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Haunting Wind:
It does damage whenever the target artifact's activation cost is paid, or
when it becomes tapped for any other reason. It does not do double
damage if the activation cost requires tapping. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Does not do damage due to a continuous artifact, even if it becomes tapped.
The "Is not triggered by continuous artifacts" is absolute.
[D'Angelo 04/28/95]
Havenwood Battleground:
See Dwarven Ruins for rulings.
Hazezon Tamar:
The Sand Warriors leave play if Hazezon is placed in an Oubliette or
Tawnos's Coffin, and they do not come back on the turn after Hazezon
re-enters play. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
The Sand Warriors come into play on a player's side if that player controls
Hazezon during the player's first upkeep after Hazezon enters play.
It is possible for no player or all players to get Sand Warriors if
control of Hazezon changes. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
The Sand Warriors do not change control after they enter play even if
Hazezon changes control. [bethmo 07/14/94]
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Healing Salve:
The Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions allowed you to gain 3
life or prevent 3 damage to a creature or player. The Fourth edition
version also allows you to give 3 life to another player if you choose.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 10]
Hecatomb:
+ As errata, the first sentence should read "When Hecatomb comes into play,
sacrifice four creatures or bury Hecatomb." [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ The sacrifice is done on resolution, not on announcement. If you cannot
sacrifice 4 creatures when this enters play, bury this card.
[Aahz 06/12/95]
+ If you have less than 4 creatures, you are not forced to partially
sacrifice. You pay 4 creatures or none. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Hell's Caretaker:
Pick a creature on resolution and not on declaration. [Aahz 12/05/94]
You must bring back a creature if there is one in your graveyard.
[bethmo 07/01/94]
If an effect (such as Reincarnation) brings the sacrificed creature back
into play or your hand, you still get to pick another creature to bring
out using the Caretaker. [Aahz 07/25/94]
You can't sacrifice creatures you don't control. [Page 62]
Can sacrifice itself. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Helm of Chatzuk:
This is a targeted effect so it must have a target in order to be used.
[Aahz 07/29/94]
Heroism:
The cost to avoid the penalty must be paid when the spell resolves. You
cannot wait until later to do so. [Aahz 11/30/94]
Paying the Heroism cost to allow a creature to deal damage does not
prevent other effects from preventing it from dealing damage. Paying
the cost only prevents the Heroism effect. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
High Tide:
Multilands which are part Island produce an extra blue mana in addition to
whatever you tap it for. [Aahz 12/03/94]
Non lands or lands which do not say they count as Islands do not produce
extra mana. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 6]
The Hive:
The Wasps created by the Hive are artifact creatures. [Card Text]
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Hollow Trees:
See Bottomless Vault for rulings.
Holy Day:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Homarid:
When it gets 4 counters, only the counters are removed. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Homarid Spawning Bed:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Homarid Warrior:
The ability to make itself not be targeted is a fast effect and can be used
in response to being targeted. Since effects resolve in last-to-first
order, the Warrior becomes untargetable before the targeted effect happens
and causes the targeted effect to fizzle. Note that if you use this
ability before being targeted, that a targeted effect used in the same
batch will resolve first. [Aahz 12/01/94] Note that the ability can
be powered up more than once if you need it to be.
Does not cause enchantments on it to be removed when the effect is
activated. An enchantment in play is neither a spell or an effect.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
It taps when the effect resolves if it was not already tapped. It may be
used even if it is already tapped. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Horror of Horrors:
You can't sacrifice lands you don't control. [Page 62]
You can use this as many times as you want during a given turn.
[bethmo 06/15/94]
Hot Springs:
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Ignore the first sentence of this card up to the comma.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ It is buried if you lose control of the target. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Howling Mine:
The two draws are separate and are not done at once. You can draw one,
do something, then draw the other. [WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
In general, drawing a card during the draw phase is an instant speed
effect just like any other. [WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
Hurkyl's Recall:
Retrieves all artifacts owned by the target player regardless of who
controls them. Ignores artifacts owned by other players even if target
player has control of them.
Read the word "discarded" on the Arabian Nights and Revised edition versions
as meaning "destroyed" This is official errata to the card.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Hurricane:
This is not a targeted spell, and so it may be cast when there are no
creatures in play. [bethmo]
Hurr Jackal:
The Jackal's power is not usable during damage prevention. You must use
it prior to the damage prevention step. [bethmo]
Note that it must be used before fatal damage occurs and that it prevents
regeneration for the rest of the turn. You may not use it at the time
when someone tries to regenerate it because this ability is a fast effect
that is not allowed at that step of damage prevention.
Hydroblast:
+ You can target any spell or permanent, it need not be red. It just does
not do anything unless the color matches. [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
+ You can use Sleight of Mind after announcing this spell to change the
color word and make it do something on resolution. [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
Hyperion Blacksmith:
You declare whether you are tapping or untapping the artifact when you
tap this card. If the card changes state before this effect happens,
it does nothing. It does not toggle the card state. [bethmo 06/19/94]
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Hypnotic Specter:
Must do at least 1 point of damage to cause opponent to discard because
the effect is a property of the damage. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
If damage is redirected to opponent by some spell or effect and is not
prevented, opponent must discard a card as if they were attacked
directly. Equally, if damage is redirected away from the player, no
card needs to be discarded. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
If a player discards due to the Specter and later that turn retroactively
removes the damage (Simulacrum or other effect), the player does not
get the card back. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
- - * - * - I - * - * - -
Icatian Moneychanger:
A copy (Clone, Doppelganger, etc) of a Moneychanger only causes a player
to take damage and the Moneychanger to get counters when the copy card
itself is cast. A later Doppelganger change to a Moneychanger results in
zero counters and zero damage. [Aahz 11/16/94]
Yes, the damage is preventable and it does not reduce the number of
counters. [Aahz 12/01/94]
Icatian Store:
See Bottomless Vault for rulings.
Icatian Town:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Ice Cauldron:
+ The card on the Cauldron is not "in play". [Aahz 06/08/95]
+ The mana put in the Cauldron can only be used to cast the given spell, but
you can add additional mana to a spell. [D'Angelo 06/08/95] This means
you can pay half of the cost on one turn and the rest of it on the next
turn.
+ Tapping the Cauldron for the mana is not an interrupt. It is an instant.
So you don't get the mana back until the entire stack resolves. You can
then use this mana on the spell during the following spell stack.
[bethmo 06/09/95]
+ X can be zero. [D'Angelo 06/12/95]
+ You do not have to use any mana from the Cauldron when casting the spell
if you don't want to. You don't even have to tap the Cauldron and draw
the mana, you can just cast the spell. [D'Angelo 06/12/95]
+ You can cast the spell at any time as if it were in your hand. But, the
Cauldron must be untapped (like any artifact does) for you to do this.
+ If the Cauldron leaves play, the spell is put in its owner's graveyard.
[D'Angelo 06/14/95]
+ If the Cauldron leaves your control, the spell stays on it. The controller
is the only one that can tap to get the mana out and the person who
put the spell on it is the only one that can cast it. [Aahz 06/20/95]
This makes quite a mess.
+ It is possible to have more than one spell on the Cauldron. You can tap
the Cauldron to remove the charge counter and whatever mana is on it but
leave the spell there. Later, you can tap it and put in mana and a
charge counter to add another spell. [Aahz 06/22/95]
+ If multiple spells are on the Cauldron, any one of them can be cast. The
language of "the spell on top of the Ice Cauldron" means "any spell on
top of the Ice Cauldron".
+ If multiple spells are on the Cauldron, the mana can only be used for the
spell that was put on the Cauldron along with the charge counter.
[Aahz 06/29/95]
+ Since tapping tha Cauldron is an instant speed effect, it is possible for
the Cauldron to be destroyed by a Disenchant in the same spell stack.
The result is that you get the mana during the spell stack resolution,
but the Cauldron (and any spells on it) are gone! You're gonna take
mana burn. [Bethmo 06/22/95]
+ If the act of putting the spell on the Cauldron is countered, you do not
lose the spell since the spell would go on the Cauldron during resolution.
[Aahz 06/27/95]
+ You cannot store mana that is to be used for a special purpose into the
Cauldron, such as Mishra's Workshop. [Aahz 07/04/95]
Ice Floe:
+ Can be used on an already tapped attacker. [D'Angelo 06/14/95]
+ A creature on the Ice Floe will not be freed even if it gains Flying later.
[D'Angelo 07/05/95]
Icy Manipulator:
Opponent gets a chance to use the card being Manipulated during the same
instant if they so wish. The "no effect" text can be easily
misread. It means that your tapping has no effect, not that your
opponent cannot respond by using the card to some effect (if that would
be a legal action).
Note that any cards which might trigger off a card becoming tapped still
trigger. Thus, a Psychic Venom on a land that becomes tapped will
cause 2 damage. [D'Angelo 03/12/95] Similarly, if the card itself
triggers on its own tapping, such as City of Brass or Sorrow's Path, the
effect will still happen. The "no effect" text on the Icy only means
that this tapping will not activate the card. [D'Angelo 04/12/95]
Can target a tapped card, but tapping a tapped card does nothing useful.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
The text was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the Limited
Edition to include the "no effect" statement.
Was on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments from 01/25/94 to 03/23/94. It was removed once
Antiquities made it easier to destroy artifacts.
Icy Prison:
+ Enchantments and counters on creatures are destroyed when they are sent to
the Prison. [Aahz 06/30/95]
Ifh-Biff Efreet:
You can pay the Efreet more than once a turn, even more than once in a
given spell stack. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Each payment counts as a separate activation and therefore a separate
packet of damage (because the notation is not "G:Effect" it is
"spend G for effect"). [bethmo]
The Efreet does indeed damage itself (unless it is no longer flying).
[Chris Page]
Illusionary Mask:
See the "Face Down Cards" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
This card does not affect in any way the original spell casting cost
(amounts or colors). It just allows you to spend X additional mana of
any color to disguise what the real cost was. [Card Text]
X can be zero.
If the Mask is destroyed, the creatures still remain face-down until one
of the conditions of turning it over are met. [bethmo]
Only usable on summoned creatures, not on artifact creatures or animated
lands. [bethmo] Similarly, it can't be used for Resurrected or
Animated creatures.
The true casting cost of the spell can be masked. If your opponent wants
to Spell Blast the creature, they need to guess at the casting cost of
the creature exactly. Overspending or underspending on Spell Blast will
cause it to fizzle. [Aahz 06/24/94]
Illusionary Terrain:
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Imprison:
There is a typo on this card. The gray circle for the colorless mana
cost accidentally appears one line above the "1" it should be behind it.
Indestructible Aura:
If this is cast in in the same spell stack as a damage causing effect it
will take effect before the damage and thereby prevent it. This is
because all damage is assigned after the resolution of the effects in
the spell stack. Note that whether you cast this before or after the
damage dealing effect in the batch, it still works.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Despite the name, this card only prevents damage and not destroy effects.
[bethmo 08/30/94]
Infernal Darkness:
+ All affected lands produce just one black mana regardless of how many it
might normally generate. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] So a storage land
produces one black even if you remove zero or three counters.
+ Will remove restrictions on how mana generated by the land is used.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] For example, the black mana from a Mishra's
Workshop can be used for any purpose.
Infernal Denizen:
+ You must sacrifice the Swamps if you can. You cannot choose not to pay
if you have them. [Aahz 06/22/95]
Infernal Medusa:
Being destroyed at "end of combat" happens after damage resolution for
normal damage dealing. This can result in a regenerating creature having
to regenerate twice... once for damage dealing and once at "end of
combat". [Aahz 01/19/95]
Infinite Authority:
All creatures with Infinite Authority gain a +1/+1 counter when a creature
is destroyed by an Infinite Authority in play.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Being destroyed at "end of combat" happens after damage resolution for
normal damage dealing. This can result in a regenerating creature having
to regenerate twice... once for damage dealing and once at "end of
combat". [Aahz 01/19/95]
Infinite Hourglass:
+ Removing a counter is not an ability with an activation cost. It is just
an ability. [D'Angelo 06/20/95]
Initiates of the Ebon Hand:
Mana which changes color as it goes through the Hand forgets its original
source. [Aahz 01/24/95]
Instill Energy:
Remember that Instill Energy is an instant speed effect, so it will not
resolve (untap the creature) until the spell stack resolves. This means
the creature cannot be tapped, untapped, and then tapped again all in
the same spell stack. It may be tapped for some effect, and then
untapped by the Instill Energy on one spell stack. [bethmo]
Any enchantments (or other effects) which are on the creature that would
cause it to not be untapped (or have a cost to be untapped) during
untap phase do not in any way hinder or imply a cost to use the
ability to untap once during the turn. [bethmo]
If cast on a creature the same turn it is summoned, the creature may
attack that turn. [Card Text] It may not be tapped for special
abilities because the card does not say that it can. [bethmo]
If played on an opponent's creature, the creature will be untapped during
the controller of the creature's untap phase (unless prevented) and can
be untapped during the controller of the enchantment's turn. [bethmo]
Note that even though the card says "summoned", it applies to any way you
can get a creature into play on your side. [Aahz 03/30/95]
If there is something preventing the creature from attacking at all,
Instill Energy will not override it. Thus, Walls are normally prevented,
Sea Serpent cannot attack unless your opponent has Islands, and so on.
[D'Angelo 05/26/95]
Invoke Prejudice:
If you have no creatures in play then by definition your opponent's summon
spell cannot be of the same color as a creature you have in play. In
this case they will always have to pay the extra mana. [bethmo 06/29/94]
Note that artifact creatures are not "summoned" and therefore are not
affected by this spell. [Aahz 06/27/94]
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Iron Star:
See the "Lucky Charms" entry in the General Rulings for related rulings.
Island Fish Jasconius:
As errata, the Arabian Nights and Revised edition versions of this card
should say "Does not untap during your untap phase". [Aahz 12/08/94]
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
+ The Fourth Edition version of this card has an activation cost to untap and
is buried if no Islands are controlled. The Revised and Arabian Nights
versions just had an ability and were destroyed if no Islands were
controlled. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Island of Wak-Wak:
This is not considered an Island and cannot be used as a target or an
enabler for spells which require Islands. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Effect lasts until the end of the turn (even if Wak-Wak is destroyed).
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Changes creature's current power to zero but does not prevent raising it
after Wak-Wak has been used on it. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94] The full effect
is to apply a -P/-0 to the creature where P=power of creature when
Wak-Wak is used. [Aahz]
Island Sanctuary:
Only skip drawing one of your cards on a given turn to get the Sanctuary.
[bethmo 05/30/94] If Howling Mine is in play, you only get to forego one
of the draws, and you can look at the first card before deciding
to skip the second. [Aahz 12/13/94]
If you have multiple Sanctuaries in play, you may decline to draw a card
for each of them. [Aahz]
Does not count as an Island for any spell which expects Islands.
[bethmo]
The Alpha printing of the Limited edition version of this card only
prevented damage from creatures that are not flying or IslandWalking.
All other printings prevent such creatures from even being used to
attack. The distinction is subtle, but with the non-Alpha versions you
can use the Nettling Imp or Siren's Call to kill off creatures since
they cannot attack you. [bethmo]
Ivory Cup:
See the "Lucky Charms" entry in the General Rulings for related rulings.
Ivory Guardians:
Because the card says it gives +1/+1 to all Guardians if opponent has red
cards in play, this bonus also applies to the Guardian Beast (from
Arabian Nights) which says Summon Guardian. Not intentional, but true.
[Aahz 06/24/94]
Only gets the bonus once even if more than one other player has red cards.
[D'Angelo 04/14/95]
Ivory Tower:
The Fourth edition version of this card gives life at the beginning of
upkeep. The Antiquities and Revised edition versions of this card let
you choose a time during upkeep to get the benefit.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 05/02/94.
- - * - * - J - * - * - -
Jacques le Vert:
Does indeed give the +0/+2 bonus to itself since it is partially green.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Jade Monolith:
It is used when damage is done to a creature. It is not used retroactively.
[D'Angelo 05/31/95]
Jade Statue:
It can only be a creature during attack phases and therefore can only
have instants and interrupts cast upon it. Enchantments cannot be used
at that time, and so no Enchant Creature spells are usable on the
Statue. [PPG Page 223]
Paying mana to use it for defense does not tap it. [bethmo]
It is legal to power it up even if it is already a creature. This has no
effect other than to use up 2 mana. [Aahz]
It cannot be used for attack the turn in which it is created.
[WotC Rules Team] The Pocket Player's Guide FAQ incorrectly says that you
can. Ignore it. [Duelist's Supplement, 5/94]
The statue is destroyed at the end of the turn if it attacks when
Berserked. [Snark] Similarly for any other effect which kills it at
the end of the turn, even though it is not a creature then. [bethmo]
If Animate Artifact is used on it, you get a 4/4 artifact creature which
becomes a 3/6 artifact creature during an attack phase if 2 mana are
spent. [bethmo] While animated, it can have enchantments placed on
it. Once the Animate Artifact is removed, all Enchant Creatures will
be removed because they no longer apply.
The effect can be paid for during the Declare Attackers or Declare Defenders
steps of the attack phase. This is one of the only effects which can do
this. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Jandor's Ring:
When used with Howling Mine, Ancestral Recall, etc. you must draw one
card at a time and decide with each card if you want to use the Ring.
You do not draw all the cards then decide to use the Ring on one of
them. [Snark]
Jayemdae Tome:
It can be used to draw a card during your upkeep phase. This may give
you one chance to get a card to prevent damage caused during upkeep.
[Snark]
Can only be used once a turn because tapping is part of the cost of using
it. [Card Text]
In the Limited and Unlimited edition, the term "Mono Artifact" was used
to indicate that tapping was part of the use cost.
Jeweled Bird:
Yes, it does intend for you to make the Bird into your ante. Your old
ante goes to your graveyard, and you get to draw a new card to replace
the bird.
Note that the card is exchanged for your entire contribution to the ante.
This means that it replaces all the cards if you have more than one
already contributed! [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
This is a mono artifact which means tapping is part of its activation
cost. It may be tapped immediately after entering play.
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94 because it is only used in games for Ante.
Jihad:
Only the basic colors can be used. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94] Note that lands and
artifacts have no color.
As errata, the word "discarded" should read "destroyed". [PPG Page 113]
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only looks at that one
player for the color of their cards. If that player leaves play, they
will have no cards of the appropriate color in play so Jihad will be
destroyed. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Johan:
The text "any of your creatures" means as many as you want.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Jovial Evil:
As errata to the card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent".
This means you can use it on yourself. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Juggernaut:
+ See the "Must Attack" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Invisibility can make the Juggernaut unblockable. The "can only be
blocked by walls" of Invisibility does not override the text on the
Juggernaut which says it cannot be blocked by walls. [bethmo]
There is no penalty if for some reason the Juggernaut cannot attack, but
if it can attack you must do so. [bethmo 08/05/94]
Jump:
Cannot be used after a blocker is assigned in order to avoid being
blocked. See the "Attack Phase Rules and Rulings" section of the
General Rulings for more information.
Juxtapose:
Must trade creatures and artifacts if possible, but can trade just one
kind or neither kind if none are available to trade. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Spell will ignore creatures with Protection from Blue when making the
choice of highest cost creatures. [Aahz 07/13/94]
- - * - * - K - * - * - -
Karma:
Is considered one source of white damage and the damage comes in one
packet. [Aahz 07/29/94]
The text was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the Limited
Edition.
Khabal Ghoul:
Can collect counters for creatures that died during the turn in which it
enters play, even if it enters play after they die. [bethmo]
King Suleiman:
Can destroy any Djinn or Efreet, including the one in the main set, or
any Clone or Doppelganger of one. [bethmo]
Kismet:
Cards enter play tapped. They do not come into play untapped and then
immediately tap, therefore they do not trigger any effects due to
tapping. [Aahz 06/28/94] This includes face-down creatures due to
Illusionary Mask will come into play tapped and face-down.
You choose one player on casting and it only affects that one player. This
target is not changed even if this card changes controllers. It becomes
useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
As errata to the Legends version of the card, it should read "target player"
instead of "opponent". This means you can use it on yourself.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] The Fourth edition version says this.
Kjeldoran Dead:
+ If there are no creatures in play when he enters play, you have to sacrifice
this card. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Kjeldoran Elite Guard:
+ Can be assigned as a blocker and then have its ability used.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Kjeldoran Guard:
+ Can be assigned as a blocker and then have its ability used.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Knowledge Vault:
As errata to the card, it should read "If Knowledge Vault leaves play or
your control, put all cards under it in your graveyard."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Taking a card from the library and placing it under the Vault does not
count as drawing a card. [Aahz 08/11/94]
The cost to retreive the cards is "0: Sacrifice Knowledge Vault". The
"2,Tap" cost only applies to putting a card under the Vault.
[D'Angelo 04/15/94]
Kobold Drill Sergeant:
He is not a Kobold, so he does not give himself abilities. [Aahz 07/15/94]
Kobold Overlord:
He is not a Kobold, so he does not give himself abilities. [Aahz 07/15/94]
Kobolds of Kher Keep:
See Crimson Kobolds for rulings.
Kobold Taskmaster:
He is not a Kobold, so he does not give himself abilities. [Aahz 07/15/94]
Kormus Bell:
As errata, the Fourth Edition version of this card should not say "black".
The created creatures are colorless. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
See the "Animated Lands and Artifacts" entry in the General Rulings for
more information.
This does mean lands owned by any and all players.
Wrath of God will destroy them without possibility of regeneration.
Nevinyrral's Disk and Armageddon will destroy them.
With Balance, consider them both as lands and as creatures. Just remove
whatever you have to in order to achieve "balance". And yes, this does
mean that they get double-counted :-(
Affected by Smoke and Winter Orb. [bethmo]
Consecrate Land does not protect the land from being affected by the Bell.
[bethmo]
Krovikan Fetish:
+ If it is moved to a new creature by something that moves enchantments,
you get to draw another card. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ You do not get a card if the target becomes illegal before it resolves.
[D'Angelo 06/20/95]
Krovikan Vampire:
+ You do not get the creature back if the creature is not still in the
graveyard at the end of the turn. [Aahz 06/10/95]
Kry Shield:
Using the Shield does not undo any damage already dealt this turn.
[Aahz 10/21/94]
Can be used during upkeep to prevent damage due to not paying a creature's
upkeep. [D'Angelo 05/12/95]
Kudzu:
Read this card as "If target land becomes tapped, target land's controller
moves Kudzu to another land in play and destroys the previous target.
Destroy Kudzu if it has no valid target." This is official errata to
the card. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
If the land with Kudzu on it is destroyed by some spell or effect (rather
than tapping) Kudzu is placed in the graveyard. [Snark]
If a land somehow has both Blight and Kudzu on it, they will both attempt
to destroy the land. The Kudzu will move on to another land. The land
only needs to be saved once (and not once for each). [Aahz 07/25/94]
Yes, you can move it to any other player's land whenever you get to move
it. [Card text]
Leaves play once there are no lands which it can be placed on. Consecrated
lands are protected. [bethmo]
Although the person making choices with this spell changes regularly, the
"controller" of the enchantment does not change. It is always the caster
who is the controller.
- - * - * - L - * - * - -
Lady Caleria:
Does damage immediately and may kill the creature before damage dealing.
[Aahz 06/17/94]
Lance:
Playing this on a creature which already has First Strike has no effect.
There is no such thing as double First Strike. [Aahz]
Land Equilibrium:
You sacrifice a land after you put one into play and not before.
[D'Angelo 01/18/95]
Land is sacrificed at faster than interrupt speed, so it cannot be tapped
for mana before it goes. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94] You can tap a land
for mana before you play a land and then choose to sacrifice the tapped
one, however.
The effect is cumulative. If you have 2 of them, the other player must
sacrifice two lands for each one put into play.
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Land's Edge:
The damage done when you discard a land only applies to lands which are
discarded by choice using the Land's Edge ability. It does not work
on forced discards of any type. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
You cannot use the Library of Leng ability to place a discarded card on
top of your library when using the Land's Edge ability to discard when
you want to because this is a discard by choice. [Aahz 07/25/94]
Land Tax:
You do not have to show your opponent which cards you take out of the
library. If necessary, get someone outside the game to verify that
you did indeed take basic lands out. [Aahz 06/16/94]
This is a fast effect used during your upkeep. If you have two of them,
you can use each of them once each turn. [bethmo 07/26/94]
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
+ Can get a Snow-Covered land out. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Lava Burst:
+ Only creatures cannot have this damage prevented or redirected. Players
can prevent or redirect the damage normally. [Aahz 06/23/95]
+ Effects which reduce damage to zero are not considered the same as spells
and effects that prevent damage, so these effects still work when Lava
Burst is used. [Aahz 06/10/95] Regeneration effects also work.
[D'Angelo 06/29/95]
Leviathan:
Don't have to pay the untap cost if it is untapped outside the upkeep
phase. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
Library of Alexandria:
You can tap this card before you draw for a turn, and still draw as
normal. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
You may tap at any other time in which fast effects are valid, and for
which you meet the card's requirements. [bethmo]
You may tap multiples of these in the same instant because the
requirement for 7 cards is checked only at the time of tapping and not
at the time of drawing. Only targeted effects are checked at both
declaration and resolution. [Aahz 06/22/94]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 05/02/94.
Library of Leng:
If you are forced to discard from your hand you may discard to the top of
your library. This cannot be done with a discard of a card in play.
[bethmo]
You can discard to the top of the libary when using Bazaar of Baghdad,
Sindbad or Wheel of Fortune because they are forcing you to discard.
[Aahz 07/26/94]
You cannot discard to the top of the library when using Land's Edge because
this is a voluntary rather than forced discard. [Aahz 07/25/94]
A card put on top of your library still counts as discarded for effects
such as Psychic Purge. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Your opponent does not get to see the card you put on top of your library.
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
The Limited and Unlimited versions of this card would not allow you to
discard during discard phase even if you had more than 7 cards in your
hand. The Revised version of this card causes you to skip the discard
phase entirely. This distinction is very subtle, but the Revised card
allows you to avoid spells such as Cursed Rack.
If the Limited or Unlimited edition Library of Leng is destroyed during
the discard phase, then you must discard down to 7 cards as per
normal.
Lich:
As errata to the card, it should say "If Lich leaves play for any reason,
you lose the game" and "Cards lost in this way are considered sacrificed".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 133]
This can only be played on yourself, not on opponents. [PPG Page 221]
You cannot destroy a creature which has lethal damage on it if you take
damage at the same time. [bethmo]
Cards destroyed by taking damage generate death events and in all ways are
similar to normal destroy actions. [bethmo]
Cards are destroyed by the player and not by the Lich. So Protection
from Black has no effect. [bethmo]
The phrase "You lose if this enchantment is destroyed" is an absolute
statement. Casting a Healing Salve or using a "lucky charm" after the
destruction will not save you. [WotC Rules Team 01/29/94]
Note that because a Lich has no life points, "loss of life" effects do
nothing to a Lich. This means that Channel cannot be used, Personal
Incarnation death and losing in a Shahrazad game do not harm the Lich,
and Ali from Cairo cannot help because the Lich does not lose life.
[Aahz 06/06/94] Loss of life from the Sylvan Library also has no effect
on a Lich. [Aahz 01/18/95]
The loss of life from Greed is a payment, so Greed cannot be used by a Lich
(since a Lich has no life to pay). [Aahz 02/21/95]
If you play Simulacrum after destroying some cards, you do not get them
back. [bethmo]
If you have multiple Lich cards in play, you must destroy 1 card for each
damage done to you for each Lich. Similarly, you draw 1 card for
each life gained for each Lich.
+ If you take more than one damage at a time, sacrifice the cards for that
damage simulataneously. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] This allows you to
sacrifice both a creature and the Animate Dead that is on it all at once.
Lifeblood:
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Life Chisel:
You can't sacrifice creatures you don't control. [Page 62]
Tapping is not part of the cost, so you can use this as many times as
desired during upkeep. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
You are not forced to sacrifice anything. It's an option. [bethmo 06/17/94]
Lifeforce:
The Limited/Unlimited edition version of the card says "destroys a black
spell as it is being cast" but should be read as "counters a black
spell". [bethmo]
Lifelace:
See Chaoslace for rulings.
Life Matrix:
Once the counter is placed on the creature, the counter is used by the
creature's controller and not the Matrix's controller.
[Wotc Rules Team 02/09/95]
The counters can be used even if the Matrix leaves play.
[WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Lifetap:
This card gives one life for each and every Forest tapped. [bethmo]
Since it detects a Forest becoming tapped, it even works if the Forest is
tapped with Twiddle or Icy Manipulator.
It also works if the land being tapped is only part Forest or "counts as
a Forest" regardless of what mana type it is tapped for. [Aahz 07/28/94]
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Living Artifact:
Tokens are associated with the Living Artifact card so, counters go away if
the enchantment is removed. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68]
If you have two or more in play, you may trade in one counter from each.
[WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
If you have two or more in play on the same artifact, they cannot use
each other's counters. [Aahz]
You can play it on your opponent's artifacts. The controller of the
enchantment (not the controller of the artifact) uses the Living
Artifact ability. [bethmo]
Only gets counters for damage done to you, not for loss of life.
[Aahz 01/27/95]
The Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions have errata saying that
the counters go on the Living Artifact card and not on the enchanted
artifact. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68] The Fourth edition version
says this correctly.
+ Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions received counters for loss
of life as well as for damage. The Fourth Edition version only gets
counters for damage. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Living Lands:
Living Lands is identical in effect to the Kormus Bell (except it
animates Forests instead of Swamps), so see its entry for rulings.
Living Plane:
Even effects Mishra's Factory by turning it into a 1/1 creature. The
Factory can still use its ability to become an Assembly Worker. Any
Assembly Workers already activated when Living Plane is cast become 1/1
creatures. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 8]
Living Wall:
The card says "Counts as a wall" and it means that it is a Wall in all
ways. [bethmo 05/03/94]
Llanowar Elves:
A green mana symbol was put in place of the words "green mana" between the
Limited/Unlimited and Revised editions of this card. The Revised and
Fourth edition cards cannot be affected by Sleight of Mind.
[Aahz 07/29/94]
Lord Magnus:
The statement that creatures with PlainsWalk or ForestWalk can be blocked
applies to all creatures in play blocking them, and not just to Lord
Magnus. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
Lord of Atlantis:
Does not grant the abilities to itself. [PPG Page 225]
The abilities begin once the Lord is in play and immediately cease if it
leaves play.
Grants the abilities to all Merfolk controlled by all players. [Snark]
The Revised and Fourth edition cards are "Summon Lord" while the Limited and
Unlimited edition ones are "Summon Lord of Atlantis". This currently has
no effect on play, however. [Aahz 10/06/94]
Lord of the Pit:
If you have a creature, you must sacrifice it. The "or take 7 damage"
option can only be taken if no creature can be sacrificed.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 15]
You can sacrifice a Lord of the Pit to a different Lord of the Pit, but
you cannot simultaneously sacrifice them to each other. [Aahz 09/14/94]
A sacrifice of a creature cannot be prevented by either player. [Page 62]
Can select creatures with Protection from Black to be sacrificed. [Aahz]
COP:Black can be used to avoid damage from being unable to pay the upkeep.
[Snark]
The Revised and Fourth edition versions of this card say that it cannot be
sacrificed to itself while the Limited and Unlimited editions do not say
this. It seems like errata to the pre-Revised cards will be issued, but
it has not yet.
Lure:
Opponent does not have to power special effects in an attempt to make all
creatures block the Lured creature. For example, you do not need to
power a Goblin Balloon Brigade to block a flying creature with Lure,
but if you do power it, the Brigade must block. [bethmo]
If a Lured creature is in a band, only blockers able to block the Lured
creature are affected by the Lure. [bethmo]
- - * - * - M - * - * - -
Magical Hack:
+ Alters all occurrences of a land word on the given card. These words
must occur in the text box on the card. [WotC Rules Team]
Can target a card with no land words on it. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Cannot change a land word to the same land word. It must be a different
word. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Cannot Hack proper nouns (i.e. card names) such as Island Fish Jasconius.
[WotC Rules Team]
The card forgets the change if it goes to the graveyard or is Unsummoned.
[Chris Page] In a multiplayer game, this means it persists even after
the player who cast the Magical Hack leaves the game.
+ Cannot add or remove the words "Snow-Covered". [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target
cards or spells while the Fourth Edition on can target any permanent
(including tokens) or spells. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Magus of the Unseen:
+ Can be used on an untapped artifact. Being tapped is not a targeting
requirement. [Aahz06/08/95]
Manabarbs:
Each land tapped acts a new instance of damage, but all damage is from
the same source. [bethmo]
The Limited and Unlimited edition versions did damage whenever a land was
tapped. The Revised and Fourth edition versions only do damage when the
land is tapped for mana.
Mana Clash:
All the damage from the coin flips is saved up and happens when the spell
is done resolving, but each point of damage is done as a separate packet
of damage. [Wotc Rules Team 04/26/95] Thus you need to power a Circle of
Protection: Red once for each point of damage.
Always affects the caster and targets another player. Can be affected by
Reflecting Mirror so that both coin flips are done by the caster.
[WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
+ The Fourth Edition version of this card cannot target the caster, while The
Dark version could. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Mana Drain:
Gives you colorless mana. [Aahz 12/06/94]
Mana Flare:
When used with multilands produces 2 of one color, not one of each.
[bethmo 05/12/94]
When used with Urza's lands (and other colorless producing lands) they
produce one extra colorless mana each. [bethmo 05/12/94]
Only produces extra mana when land is tapped for mana, not when tapped by
Twiddle or for some other effect. [bethmo]
Applies to all players in multiplayer games. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
+ Mana Flare adds one of whatever color the land produces after applying any
land type or color changing effects. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Mana Matrix:
Only reduces the colorless mana portion of a spell's cost. If the spell
does not accept colorless mana or accepts less than 2, you get a reduced
or null effect from this card. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
Only affects its controller, not all players. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Only works on instants, interrupts and enchantments. It does not work on
sorceries, or other spell types. So, you can't use it on a Fireball.
[bethmo 06/16/94]
Although the apparent cost is reduced, the "casting cost" of the spell for
reasons of Spell Blast or such is still the full amount.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9] Just think of the Matrix as contributing
2 to the cost, not reducing it.
Multiple Matrices do add up. Two will contribute up to 4 toward the cost,
and so on. [bethmo 06/29/94]
Mana Short:
Since this is an instant, your opponent may use any fast effects in
response to the casting of this spell. Note that such effects will be
resolved before the mana pool is emptied by the Mana Short. [bethmo]
This makes it useless as a countermeasure for spells. To use it
effectively, you need to use it during Upkeep and even then it will not
prevent the use of instants and other fast effects.
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent". This means
you can use it on yourself. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] The Fourth
edition version says this.
The text was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the Limited
Edition.
Mana Vault:
Does one damage if it ends your upkeep in the tapped state regardless of
whether it was untapped at some point during that upkeep. [Aahz 06/06/94]
+ You can untap a Mana Vault with a Mana Vault or Basalt Monolith and you
can untap a Basalt Monolith with a Mana Vault. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
This is a REVERSAL of a ruling made on page 79 of Duelist Magazine #3.
The Limited and Unlimited edition versions of this card do not require the
untap cost to be paid during upkeep as the Revised edition version does.
You can pay to untap it at any time. [bethmo]
Mana Vortex:
Consecrate Land cannot be used to prevent a sacrifice.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
Marsh Goblins:
The text on the card explaining the color is considered to be explanatory
and not characteristic text. This means that it cannot be affected by
Sleight of Mind and is not copied by copy cards such as Vesuvan
Doppelganger. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
This card can have its color changed by a lace spell but not by
Sleight of Mind. This is a REVERSAL of a ruling in Duelist Magazine #2
on page 86. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Marsh Viper:
Your opponent does not get poison counters if all the damage done to them by
the Viper is prevented. The poison is added only if damage gets through
because it is a side-effect of the damage. [Aahz 08/11/94]
See the "Poison" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ The Fourth Edition version will give a poison counter to its controller if
its damage gets redirected there, while The Dark version could only give
one to an opponent. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Martyr's Cry:
Only affects creatures in play, not ones in hands or discard piles.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
Martyrs of Korlis:
Only one bodyguard can take damage for you during a turn. Whichever
bodyguard triggers first will win for that turn. If the first damage
which would qualify for either comes from an unblocked artifact creature,
you have the option of which one takes the damage. [Aahz 10/21/94]
+ The redirection takes place automatically at the end of the first step of
damage prevention. This is not a fast effect used during damage
prevention but you can use other prevention effects before this one
kicks in. If there is more than one automatic effect, the person
damaged can choose which order to apply them. This damage will result
in a second damage prevention step to follow this one.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
If a Limited or Unlimited edition Veteran Bodyguard is available as well,
unblocked artifact creature damage must go to a Martyr because its text
overrides the Veteran Bodyguard. All other unblocked creature damage
can and will be taken by your Veteran Bodyguard. [Aahz]
If a Revised edition Veteran Bodyguard is available, only one of your
Bodyguards can take damage even if one of the other Bodyguards is a
Limited or Unlimited edition one. This means that you may choose among
your various Bodyguards which one takes creature damage (with Martyrs
usable for artifact creature damage). Note that if a Martyr takes some
artifact damage (creature or not) then none of the other Revised
Bodyguards may take damage for you, even if the damage is not artifact
damage.
Master of the Hunt:
Since tapping is not part of the cost, you can use this more than once
a turn. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Maze of Ith:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings.
The creature is still considered to have attacked, and is even still part
of the attack. It just deals and receives no damage. Don't infer
something from the fact that it becomes untapped.
Can target a non-tapped attacking creature such as the Serra Angel.
The effect will succeed since you are allowed to use an untap effect on
an already untapped card. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 10/10/94.
Meekstone:
Creatures with power>2 do not untap normally once they become tapped
[Card Text] Since creatures do not tap when blocking, creatures with
power>2 are still useful for defense as long as they are untapped.
Does not prevent cards from being untapped outside the untap phase.
[bethmo]
Merchant Ship:
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Merfolk Assassin:
+ Cannot be used on a creature with Snow-Covered Islandwalk.
[Aahz 06/20/95]
Artist's name is spelled incorrectly.
Merseine:
When the last counter is removed, it stays in play but does nothing.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
The cost that needs to be paid is in any color mana, not the actual cost
and color of the creature. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Can remove as many counters per turn as you want to and this can be done
at any time fast effects are legal. [D'Angelo 03/23/95]
Metamorphosis:
The mana generated by this spell must be used to summon creatures or you
take mana-burn damage. You can however split it up among multiple
summonings or add to it from other mana sources. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Since this is a "sacrifice", you may choose creatures with Protection from
Green. [Aahz]
Meteor Shower:
+ The "RXX" casting cost is not a misprint. It means to spend one red plus
two times X of any color to cast the spell. Choose X based on how much
damage you want to do.
Mightstone:
The +1/+0 applies to attacking creatures from all players. [Aahz]
Mijae Djinn:
If Nettling Imp, Siren's Call or similar effect is used on the Djinn and
the coin toss fails, then it does not attack and will be killed at the
end of the turn. [bethmo]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time
it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Arabian Nights version should be read as "Tap Mijae Djinn and it does
not attack" instead of "Mijae Djinn is tapped but does not attack".
[WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Millstone:
Library of Leng has no effect on the Millstone because cards are moved to
the graveyard. They are not "discarded". [bethmo]
Can be used on a player with less than 2 cards in their library. It will
remove 0 or 1 cards if that is all that is available. [Aahz 05/15/95]
It is not a draw effect so it will not cause a player with less than 2 cards
in their library to lose. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Mind Bomb:
The cards discarded because of the Bomb are considered forced discards.
They will trigger Psychic Purge and they can be put on top of your
library if you have the Library of Leng in play.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
Mind Ravel:
+ You still draw a card if opponent had no cards in hand.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Mindstab Thrull:
See the "Is Not Blocked" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Target player gets to choose which cards they discard.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Mind Twist:
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent". This means
you can use it on yourself. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] The Fourth
edition version says this.
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
Minion of Leshrac:
+ Paying the upkeep is optional. [Aahz 06/19/95]
+ Can be read as saying that if you prevent the damage then it does not
become tapped, but the card should be played as becoming tapped if you
don't pay the upkeep regardless of what you do about the damage.
[Aahz 06/27/95]
Miracle Worker:
Can only target "Enchant Something" cards and not general enchantments such
as Oubliette or Pestilence. [Aahz 10/21/94]
Mirror Universe:
If one player is a Lich, they are considered to be gaining life from this
effect and instead draw cards. The other player is in deep trouble if
they cannot raise their life points from zero. [Aahz 06/16/94]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
If you have less than zero life when the effect is used, treat it as if
you had zero life. [Aahz 05/30/95]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
Mishra's Factory:
When it is an Assembly Worker, it is still a land and retains all of its
other abilities. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
Assembly Worker only lasts until the end of the turn, and then any Enchant
Creature or Enchant Artifact spells on it are destroyed.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Can attack on the turn an Assembly Worker is created, but it may not attack
on the turn the land itself is brought into play.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Can only give +1/+1 to one Assembly Worker. Not all of them.
An Assembly Worker is considered to have a zero casting cost.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 14]
Because turning it into an Assembly Worker is an effect, it is possible
to power it many times during an instant. When the instant is resolved,
the Factory will turn into an Assembly Worker. Once that once it is an
Assembly Worker that this will not work. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
When it is an Assembly Worker, it is an Artifact and can therefore be
stolen by Aladdin. It is also a creature and can be stolen. If stolen
by use of a fast effect, it will not return to you even when it reverts
to being a land. Once a card is stolen, it only goes back to its
original controller according to the terms on the stealing card.
Note that enchantments which steal cards (such as Control Magic and
Steal Artifact) do leave their target if the target is no longer valid.
[WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
An Assembly Worker with Consecrate Land on it follows the rulings outlined
for Consecrate Land.
+ The Fourth Edition version uses activation costs to generate mana or give
+1/+1 to an Assembly Worker. The Antiquities version just had an ability.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Mishra's War Machine:
You may choose to take damage or to discard. You cannot avoid taking
damage if you have no cards to discard. [bethmo]
+ Can be read as saying that if you prevent the damage then it does not
become tapped, but the card should be played as becoming tapped if you
don't pay the upkeep regardless of what you do about the damage.
[Aahz 06/27/95]
Mishra's Workshop:
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 06/13/94.
Mistfolk:
+ As errata, add "This ability is played as an interrupt." to the card text.
[D'Angelo 06/23/95]
Moat:
Yes this really does affect all players. [bethmo 06/20/94]
Mold Demon:
You must sacrifice two Swamps whenever the creature is brought into play.
This includes Clone, Doppelganger, Animate Dead, Resurrection, or even
having it leave an Oubliette or Tawnos' Coffin. In all these cases
Swamps need to be sacrificed. [bethmo 06/25/94]
Note that this sacrifice is done during spell resolution and not spell
declaration [Aahz 03/04/95]
Monsoon:
+ The damage is done in a separate packet for each Island tapped by the
effect. It is not done all at once. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Mountain Stronghold:
See Adventurers' Guildhouse for rulings.
Mountain Titan:
+ If you spend RR1 more than once, you can get more than one counter per
black spell cast. [Aahz 06/25/95]
Mox Emerald:
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Mox Jet:
See Mox Emerald for rulings.
Mox Pearl:
See Mox Emerald for rulings.
Mox Ruby:
See Mox Emerald for rulings.
Mox Sapphire:
See Mox Emerald for rulings.
Musician:
+ The cost is an upkeep cost and will prevent the creature from using
abilities before the cost is paid. [Aahz 06/08/95] See the "Upkeep"
entry in the "Turn Phases" section of the General Rulings for more
information.
Mystic Might:
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Ignore the first sentence of this card up to the comma.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ It is buried if you lose control of the target land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Mystic Remora:
+ A "non-creature spell" is any spell other than a Summon or Artifact Creature
spell. [Aahz 06/08/95]
- - * - * - N - * - * - -
Nafs Asp:
Can pay the 1 mana at any time after damage is done before the draw phase
of that player's turn. This means that you can pay up until the end of
upkeep. [Card Text]
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
The Arabian Nights version causes loss of 1 life while the Fourth edition
version does 1 damage.
+ The Fourth Edition version will do extra damage to its controller if its
damage gets redirected there, while the Arabian Nights version could only
damage an opponent. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Nameless Race:
Life payment is paid during spell resolution. [Aahz 03/04/95]
Nature's Lore:
+ Only basic forests can be drawn. [Aahz 06/08/95]
+ Can get a Snow-Covered Forest out. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Nebuchadnezzar:
Your opponent only discards cards that you name and which are shown to you.
They do not have to discard a card if it is in their hand but was not
shown. [Aahz 06/28/94]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Necrite:
See the "Is Not Blocked" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
The ability is targeted. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Necropolis:
As with all counters, the +0/+1 counters are permanent. [Aahz 08/10/94]
Necropotence:
+ If used with Library of Leng (Revised or Fourth Edition versions), you do
not get the cards since you do not get a discard phase. The cards do
wait around, however, and will end up in your hand if the Library is
ever destroyed or tapped and you do get a discard phase.
[D'Angelo 07/05/95]
+ Changes all discards into "remove from game", so you cannot use a Library of
Leng ability to discard to your library when this effect is in play.
[D'Angelo 07/05/95]
Nether Shadow:
Note that bringing the Shadow back into play from the graveyard is not a
spell and it is not a summoning, it is a special ability. It cannot be
counterspelled. [bethmo 05/14/94]
The Fourth edition version enters play at the end of upkeep. The Limited,
Unlimited and Revised edition versions could re-enter play at any time
during upkeep and to even come back more than once. This made it
possible for 4 Shadows and a Life Chisel to generate an infinite loop.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
The Limited and Unlimited edition versions of this card required the payment
of its casting cost in order to return it to play. The Revised and
Fourth edition versions return to play for free. [Aahz 07/29/94]
Nettling Imp:
See the "Attack or Die Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more
information.
As errata, the card should read "May not be used on creatures which cannot
attack because they were not in play on their controller's side at the
beginning of the turn." [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68] Thus, creatures
which were not summoned but just entered play cannot be affected.
If the Imp leaves play before the end of the turn, the creature still
dies. [D'Angelo 04/12/95]
Cannot nettle a creature with Protection from Black. [bethmo]
Cannot nettle any Wall, even an Animated one. [bethmo]
The "should be played" text can be misinterpreted. If you choose to
nettle a creature, it must be done before the player's attack phase.
[Aahz 06/06/94] It cannot be done after the end of the main phase.
Nevinyrral's Disk:
Creatures can be regenerated although the enchantments on them will still
be destroyed by the Disk. [PPG Page 222] Note that regeneration abilities
are used prior to cards going to the graveyard, so a Regeneration
enchantment can be used even though it will be destroyed.
The destruction of the disk is not a sacrifice. It is destroyed as
part of the resolution if it is still in play. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Like all fast effect, once activated the effect occurs even if it is removed
from play. [Peterson 11/01/94]
The Limited and Unlimited editions were "Mono Artifacts" so had tap as
part of the use cost. The Revised edition version was missing the tap
symbol, but as errata it should be considered to be there.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94] The Fourth edition version is correct.
Nightmare:
If you run out of Swamps, a damage prevention step will happen. During this
step, the toughness will be checked but you can use Magical Hack at this
time to change the land type from Swamps to Plains or something before
the check occurs... and possibly save the Nightmare.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
The Beta printing version of this card has a blotch over the word Swamp
that is not in any of the other printings.
Night Soil:
The two creatures must come from the same graveyard.
[Duelist Magazine #4,Page 6]
You target two creature cards during announcement. If those creatures are
still there on resolution, then they are removed from the game and you
get a Sapproling. If neither is still there, then the effect fizzles.
If one is still there, then you remove the one from the game but the
effect still fizzles. [D'Angelo 06/05/95]
Token creatures that are destroyed go to the graveyard briefly, but are
removed from the game before you can take any actions. You cannot
use such creatures for Night Soil. [Aahz 11/30/94]
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Norritt:
See the "Attack or Die Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more
information.
Northern Paladin:
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target
black cards while the Fourth Edition on can target any black permanent
(including tokens). [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions should have the word
"cancel" read as saying "counter". [Aahz 07/29/94]
North Star:
Cannot be used to power Drain Life with any color mana because the draining
portion of drain life is not part of the casting cost. [Aahz 06/27/94]
Converts the spell to having an entirely "colorless" casting cost. This
means that effects like Planar Gate and Mana Matrix might end up paying
for all the spell's casting cost. [Aahz 09/02/94]
Nova Pentacle:
Cannot be used if no creatures are in play. [Aahz 06/17/94]
If you have no creatures, your opponent must still choose a creature even
if it ends up being one of their own. [Aahz 06/17/94]
If the targeted creature has an Artifact Ward, the Pentacle's effect
fizzles and the damage is not redirected. [Aahz 09/02/94]
Can be used to redirect mana burn damage. [D'Angelo 03/01/95]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
- - * - * - O - * - * - -
Oasis:
+ The Fourth Edition version has an activation cost, while the Arabian Nights
version just had an ability. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Obelisk of Undoing:
A "permanent" is a land, creature, artifact or enchantment.
[Page 61]
You must be the owner and the controller of the card. [Card Text]
Only affects one card. All cards which say "any xxx" mean any single xxx
in play. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Treat this effect as usable on cards you "own" rather than card you "cast".
[bethmo 08/10/94]
Read the word "discarded" as meaning "destroyed". This is official errata
to the card. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Old Man of the Sea:
Can be used, at any time fast effects are allowed, to take control of a
creature. This includes your opponent's turn. If used during an attack
phase, the creature is removed from the attack immediately. [bethmo]
Control of the creature is lost if the Old Man leaves play for any
reason. [bethmo 05/09/94]
You do not lose control of a creature controlled by the Old Man even if you
lose control of the Old Man itself. Interesting Note: if player A
taps an Old Man to control B's Old Man, and during the same instant B
taps to control A's Old Man, then at the resolution of the instant, the
two Old Men switch sides. Now whoever untaps first will be getting
both Old Men. [bethmo]
You do not lose control if the creature becomes an invalid target at any
time after the Old Man steals it. This includes if the card stops being
a creature. The check for stealing the creature is made on declaration
and on resolution as with any targeted affect plus it checks constantly
for the cases listed on the card: power becoming greater than Old Man's
and Old Man leaving play. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Can choose not to untap even if it is not still controlling a creature.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Onulet:
As official errata to the card, it should read "If Onulet goes to the
graveyard from play..." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138] This means that
it does not do anything if discarded or countered.
The incorrect artist is listed on the card. It should be Anson Maddocks.
Orcish Artillery:
COP:Red can be used to avoid damage from the artillery. Makes it a nice
2 point directed attack.
You do not take the 3 points of damage if the effect fizzles.
[Aahz 06/06/94]
The Alpha printing version of this card had a casting cost of "1R". All
further printings have had a "1RR" casting cost.
Orcish Captain:
Flip a coin for each activation. [WotC Rules Team 11/16/94]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time
it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Orcish Mechanics:
As errata to the card, it should read "Tap: Sacrifice an artifact. Orcish
Mechanics deal 2 damage to any target." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Cannot use the ability unless you have an artifact to sacrifice. It is
part of the cost. [Aahz]
The "place in the graveyard" statement is actually a "sacrifice" and is a
cost which cannot be prevented. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
Orcish Oriflamme:
Was on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments from 01/25/94 to 02/23/94. It was determined to not
be that great an advantage at that time.
The casting cost on the Alpha printing version of this card was just
"1R", and not "3R" as appears in all other printings.
Order of the Sacred Torch:
+ Should say "Counters black spell" and not "destroys". [Aahz 06/08/95]
Orgg:
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Cannot attack if opponent has any untapped creatures of power greater than
2. [Card Text] It does not matter if those creatures cannot block.
[D'Angelo 02/09/95]
Ornithopter:
The zero casting cost is not a misprint.
Osai Vultures:
Only gets one counter per turn, not one per creature. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Does get a counter if creatures died on the turn even if it enters play
after they died. [Aahz 12/21/94]
+ The Fourth Edition version has an activation cost while the Legends version
just had an ability. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Oubliette:
The creature is considered "out of the game". The creature inside will
survive anything which destroys the enchantment and it is immune to
being killed. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
The creature in the Oubliette may be selected (and returned to play) by
the Ma'ruf's Ring artifact since the card was "out of the game".
Note that any enchantments on the creature do not come out. They remain
in the Oubliette. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
If City in a Bottle is used, the Oubliette does not protect the creature
inside (if it is an Arabian Nights card) from being affected. The
Oubliette is removed from play and then the creature is freed and
removed from play immediately. Continuous effect artifacts are
considered to be faster than an interrupts.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
If Oubliette is used on token creatures, they are permanently lost.
[bethmo] The Oubliette stays in play. [Aahz] See the "Token Creatures"
entry in the General Rulings for more information.
If something happens which removes the creature from the Oubliette, the
Oubliette still hangs around. It is not discarded. [bethmo]
If a creature stops being a creature after it enters the Oubliette, it
still remains inside. Examples include a Living Land or an Assembly
Worker. [Aahz]
While out of play, time does not pass for the creature. It does not
untap, it is not affected by any effects during upkeep, and it cannot
be targeted by any spell. In other words, just ignore it for a while
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Any damage on a creature is removed immediately when removed from play.
Any scheduled destruction (i.e. destroy at end of turn) is also removed.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Oubliette targets the creature it is taking out of play, hence Protection
from Black will prevent this spell. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
Remember that the creature, when removed from the Oubliette cannot attack
or be tapped until you begin a turn with it in play.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
If a creature enters the Oubliette, then exits it during the same turn, it
is still subject to summoning sickness. [WotC Rules Team 04/12/95]
A creature in the Oubliette is considered to be in suspended animation.
When it returns, you need not pay any costs or deal with any effects that
happen because the creature re-entered play. For example, you do not
choose a new creature for a Clone or sacrifice Forests to a Wood
Elemental. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Creatures like Stangg and Hazezon Tamar which get token creatures when they
enter play do not get those creatures when they re-enter.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
The creature returns to play, and if not already tapped, it taps at that
time. This does cause any effects which trigger off the creature becoming
tapped. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
+ A creature in Oubliette does not have its Cumulative Upkeep continue to
climb but it also does not reset this value.
- - * - * - P - * - * - -
Paralyze:
Note that enchantment is permanent. It does not leave once it is paid.
This is a common mistake.
Because Paralyze is paid during upkeep, the creature does avoid
restrictions on the untap phase such as Smoke, and can untap when
Stasis is in effect, or untap around the Meekstone. [bethmo]
May be paid more than once a turn if you have enought mana.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
If two Paralyzes are on a creature, 8 mana must be spent to untap it.
[Snark]
It is not mandatory that you pay the mana cost. It is optional, but must
be paid in order to untap.
The creature becomes tapped when Paralyze is resolved, not when it is
declared. [Aahz 07/29/94]
Paralyze can be used on creatures which are already tapped.
The Limited and Unlimited versions of this card said to pay the mana
during the untap phase. This is not valid under the Fourth edition rules
and so it should be paid during the upkeep phase, just like the Revised
and Fourth edition versions of the card state. [PPG Page 113]
Part Water:
The "UXX" casting cost is not a misprint. It means to spend one blue plus
two times X colorless to cast the spell. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Pendelhaven:
Checks the current power/toughness of the creature and not the text printed
on the bottom corner of the card. If the creature is enchanted or
otherwise enhanced to not be 1/1 anymore, you cannot use this card on
the creature. [D'Angelo 02/03/95]
The creature is checked to see if it is 1/1 when you declare the effect and
when it is resolved, so if the creature's total power/toughness is changed
from 1/1 to something else between declaration and resolution, then it
fizzles. [bethmo 06/22/94]
Personal Incarnation:
Card should be read as "If Personal Incarnation goes to the graveyard from
play...". This is official errata to the card.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 133]
The loss of life caused when the Incarnation dies cannot be prevented by
any spell or effect. It is not damage, and it is not prevented by the
Conservator, Circle of Protection, Reverse Damage or anything else.
[PPG Page 113]
You do not lose life if Swords to Plowshares is used on it since it does
not go to the graveyard. [Snark]
If the Incarnation has Creature Bond on it when it dies, the loss of life
because of the Incarnation happens before the damage from the Creature
Bond. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95] This is because the loss of life is
immediate (and unpreventable) and the damage causes a damage prevention
step.
If two Incarnations die at once, you lose half of your life, then half of
what is left. [WotC Rules Team]
Note that the owner of the Incarnation loses life when it is destroyed,
not the controller. So if you control your opponent's Incarnation you
can let it die to make them lose life. [bethmo 09/09/94]
Note that loss of life only occurs if Incarnation goes to the graveyard from
play, not from your hand. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68]
If you have less than zero life when the Incarnation dies, treat it as if
you had zero life. [Aahz 05/30/95]
Pestilence:
There are a number of rulings on the use of this card. See the "Activation
Cost" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
It is not targeted, so it will damage creatures with Protection from Black,
but note that Protection from Color immediately reduces all damage of
that color to zero, so the damage goes away and does not hurt the
creature. [Page 39]
It is legal to power it up with X for an X mana single damage or for X
sequential attacks of 1 damage because it says "B:Effect". [bethmo]
Each activation is considered a new packet of damage. An activation can
be for 1 or more points of damage. [WotC Rules Team]
It goes away at the end of the turn if no creatures are in play, even if
a new creature (such as a Rukh) comes into existence at the end of turn
also. [Snark]
It can stay in play if there is a creature which stops being a creature at
the end of the turn, such as Mishra's Factory. This is because
Pestilence checks for creatures prior to fast effects wearing off.
[D'Angelo 02/06/95]
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, the word "discarded" should be read as "destroyed".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 133]
Applies to all players and their creatures in multiplayer games.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Pestilence Rats:
+ Does not count itself for determining power. It only counts _other_ Rats.
[Card Text]
Petra Sphinx:
The turning over of a card for the Sphinx does not count as "drawing" a
card for purposes of Underworld Dreams or any other effect which looks
at cards drawn. [Aahz 06/22/94]
You will not lose the game if there are no cards in your library when the
Sphinx is used on you. It simply does not work. [Aahz 06/22/94]
Phantasmal Forces:
Paying the upkeep is optional, but if you do not pay it the Forces are
placed in the graveyard. [Aahz]
The Alpha printing version of this card had a 'U' where the blue mana
symbol is on all further printings.
Phantasmal Terrain:
Only the basic land types can be declared. Multilands are not basic
types nor are the expansion set lands. [bethmo
Multilands and expansion set land cards are valid targets for the spell.
[bethmo]
A changed land is considered to be the new land type in all ways. This
is not just a change of name. It changes the color of mana produced
and removes any and all special abilities the land may otherwise have
had. [Page 60]
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
This change lasts until another spell or effect overrides it, or until
the enchantment is removed. [bethmo 05/03/94] This works just like all
other enchantments.
Phyrexian Gremlins:
Only prevents artifact from untapping during untap phase. Ones that
untap during upkeep are not inhibited. [Aahz]
Can target a tapped artifact. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
The target artifact cannot untap if the Gremlins start the untap phase
tapped, even if it is your artifact and you plan on untapping the
Gremlins. [Aahz 06/06/94]
If the Gremlins somehow become an artifact and then tap themselves, they
can never be untapped during the untap phase. They must be untapped by
an external effect. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Effect does not end if the target stops being valid. For example, if it
stops being an artifact. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Piety:
Only affects creatures that are currently declared as blockers. It does
not affect non-blocking creatures. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Pikemen:
Artist's name is spelled incorrectly.
Pirate Ship:
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
+ The Fourth Edition version is buried if you have no Islands. The Limited,
Unlimited and Revised edition versions were destroyed.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Pit Scorpion:
See the "Poison" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ The Fourth Edition version will give a poison counter to its controller if
its damage gets redirected there, while the Legends version could only
give one to an opponent. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Plague Rats:
"Plague Rats in play" means Plague Rats in play by any and all players.
Only counts cards that are "Plague Rats" and not all cards that are
"Summon Rats".
Planar Gate:
Only reduces the colorless mana portion of a spell's cost. If the spell
does not accept coloress mana or accepts less than 2, you get a reduced
or null effect from this card. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Only affects its controller, not all players. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Only works on Summon spells. It does not work for Artifact Creatures.
[Aahz 06/16/94]
Although the apparent cost is reduced, the "casting cost" of the spell for
reasons of Spell Blast or such is still the full amount. [bethmo 06/18/94]
Just think of the Gate as contributing 2 to the cost, not reducing it.
Multiple Gates do add up. Two will contribute up to 4 toward the cost,
and so on. [bethmo 06/29/94]
Plateau:
See Badlands for rulings.
Portent:
+ This is not a draw effect and will not cause a player to lose if they have
less than 3 cards in their library. It will work and allows you to look
at and reorder whatever remaining cards there might be.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Power Artifact:
Can be cast on artifacts with no or zero activation costs, but this has
no effect on them. It does not increase the cost to one. [bethmo]
For artifacts with an X use cost (such as the Candelabra of Tawnos) this
reduces the amount spent by 2 to a minimum of 1.
Only affects colorless activation costs. Colored mana costs are not
affected. This rule comes into play if a card like the Northern
Paladin gets changed into an artifact by Ashnod's Transmogrant.
Is considered to alter the activation cost on the card it modifies. Thus,
each activation (even if it is multiply pumped) costs the new reduced
cost. [Aahz 03/03/95]
Does not affect untap costs, just activation costs. [bethmo] This
includes the Basalt Monolith and Colossus of Sardia.
Powerleech:
Gives one life whenever an artifact is activated or tapped for any other
reason(including attacking). If tapping is part of the cost of
activation, only one life is given. [bethmo 05/03/94]
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Power Sink:
Only lands and mana pool must be expended. Artifacts and other mana
sources need not be used to counter this spell. [bethmo]
Special lands which provide no mana need not be tapped in an attempt
to pay the Sink. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
If a land has different amounts of mana that can be drawn, the maximum will
be drawn from the land. This may cause the land to sacrifice itself (in
the case of some lands) or to remove counters in the case of other lands.
[D'Angelo 02/15/95] Note that such lands can be tapped by your opponent
at interrupt speeds for the lesser amount of mana prior to Power Sink
resolving. If this happens, all you get is what is in their pool.
If the land provides mana only for specific purposes (like Mishra's
Workshop), it does not contribute to the X mana you have to pay
unless that purpose is being filled. In the Mishra's Workshop
case this would be only if you are casting an artifact.
[WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
Does not increase the casting cost of the spell. It just requires a
separate expenditure in order for it to succeed. [bethmo 05/05/94]
Power Surge:
Does damage during upkeep, but damage amount depends on number of
untapped lands at the start of your turn. [PPG Page 113]
Is considered one source of red damage and damage comes in one packet.
[bethmo]
The Limited and Unlimited edition should be treated as saying "During a
player's upkeep Power Surge does that player 1 damage for each land
that player controls that was untapped at the beginning of the turn
prior to the untap phase." [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 79]
Preacher:
Opponent may only choose valid creature targets. A creature with
Protection from White is not valid. [bethmo 09/09/94]
Target is chosen on declaration and the effect fizzles if the target is
not still valid on resolution. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Can choose not to untap even if it is not still controlling a creature.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Priest of Yawgmoth:
As errata to the card, the text should read "Tap: Sacrifice an artifact you
own. Add an amount of black mana equal to that artifact's casting cost
to your mana pool. Play this ability as an interrupt."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
The "place in the graveyard" statement is actually a "sacrifice" and is a
cost which cannot be prevented. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
Can sacrifice any artifact you own regardless of who controls it. The
card text overrides the normal rule that you can only sacrifice things you
control. [D'Angelo 05/12/95]
Primal Clay:
+ Form is chosen on resolution and not on announcement.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11] This is a REVERSAL.
Clones and Doppelgangers of this card may not choose a different form
than the original. [bethmo]
Ignore the second sentence on the Arabian version. It is just a reminder
that other spells can change the power/toughness and abilities of the
creature. [bethmo]
As errata to the Arabian Nights and Revised edition versions of this card,
it should say "When you bring Primal Clay into play" and not "When Primal
Clay is cast" in order to cover other ways to bring the creature into
play. [Aahz 07/29/94]
Prodigal Sorcerer:
As always a "target" includes any creature or player.
Psionic Entity:
The artist is actually Justin Hampton. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Psychic Allergy:
Does not count token creatures because the card says it counts "cards".
[Aahz 01/24/95]
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Psychic Purge:
The loss of life cannot be prevented by any means. It is not damage.
[bethmo 06/15/94]
Not triggered by effects which cause the hand to be reshuffled into the
library like Winds of Change, but is triggered by effects which say to
discard entire hand such as Wheel of Fortune. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Is triggered by Cursed Rack which forces you to discard during discard
phase. Note that you can choose to do the normal "discard down to 7"
after resolving the Cursed Rack during your discard phase. This means
that if you had 9 cards in your hand and 5 of them were Purges that
you could discard all 5 Purges. [Aahz 06/23/94]
Is triggered even if the discard goes to the top of your library because of
the Library of Leng. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
It is not triggered if Psychic Purge is countered and thereby sent to the
graveyard. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Psychic Venom:
Whenever the land is tapped for any reason (including by Twiddle or Icy
Manipulator), damage is done. [bethmo]
Puppet Master:
Can pay UUU to reclaim the Puppet Master even if the creature leaves play
by means of Unsummon or other effect which would normally destroy this
enchantment. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
The cost must be paid immediately upon the sending of the card to the
graveyard. You cannot wait until later. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Purelace:
See Chaoslace for rulings.
Pyknite:
+ You draw a card next upkeep when casting a Clone or Doppelganger of this
card. You do not draw one when changing the Doppelganger form to a
Pyknite. [Aahz 06/13/95]
Pyramids:
When used on a land animated by Living Lands (or similar effect), this
effectively prevents the land from being killed by causing the land to
regenerate without causing it to be tapped like a normal regeneration
does. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
Cannot be used on a land which destroys itself (such as Strip Mine)
because such lands are sacrificing themselves. [Aahz]
Does not prevent cards which read "place in graveyard" rather than
"destroy" because this is also a sacrifice. [bethmo]
Pyroblast:
+ You can target any spell or permanent, it need not be blue. It just does
not do anything unless the color matches. [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
+ You can use Sleight of Mind after announcing this spell to change the
color word and make it do something on resolution. [D'Angelo 06/09/95]
Pyrotechnics:
No, you cannot do fractional points of damage. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
You can assign damage to multiple targets and are not forced to assign the
same amount of damage to each target (like you are with Fireball).
[D'Angelo 03/07/95]
No matter how much you assign to a target, it is only targeted once, and so
damage arrives in one packet per target regardless of the amount of damage
assigned to that target. [D'Angelo 03/02/95]
- - * - * - Q - * - * - -
- - * - * - R - * - * - -
Rabid Wombat:
If an enchantment is removed from the Wombat, its power and toughness
change immediately. [bethmo 06/16/94]
Animate Dead does pump up the Wombat because it counts as an Enchant
Creature spell. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
The Rack:
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] The Fourth edition version says this.
The Fourth edition version does damage at the end of upkeep. The
Antiquities and Revised edition versions let you choose a time during
upkeep to take the damage. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Radjan Spirit:
Can be used on a creature without Flying with no effect.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Raging River:
Two Raging Rivers result in one extra long river. Not more splits. [Snark]
This is not a targeted spell. [bethmo]
Opponent chooses which side of the river each creature is on before you
even choose what creatures you are attacking with.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ If an attacking creature is stolen by the opponent, it can only block on
the same side of the river it was assigned, unless it is a flying creature
then it can go to either side. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ If a defending creature gains flying after being assigned a side of the
river, it can block a creature on the other side. [D'Angelo 06/30/95]
When using Jade Statue, the defender does not have to decide which side
it is on until it actually becomes a creature, which will happen after
attackers are declared. [bethmo]
The wording on this card uses "defending" creature in a way that does not
make sense under the Fourth edition rules. Treat it as saying
"defending player's creatures". [Aahz 06/06/94]
Rag Man:
In multiplayer games can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Raiding Party:
As errata to the card, it should read "Tap a white creature he or she
controls" instead of just "Tap a white creature."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
The creatures are tapped during spell resolution and not during the damage
prevention step. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
The color of creature to be tapped is locked in when the effect is announced
and not during resolution. [Aahz 05/09/95]
Rainbow Vale:
Only changes controller at the end of a turn in which it was tapped for
mana. It does not change controller if it is not tapped or is tapped but
not for mana. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Will change control if forced to tap for mana by effects such as Power Sink.
[Aahz 12/02/94]
Will not change if tapped by Mana Short since Mana Short does not tap a land
for mana. [D'Angelo 03/22/95]
Does not change controller if it stops being a Rainbow Vale before the end
of the turn by effects such as Phantasmal Terrain or Blood Moon.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
If under a player's control due to some lasting effect, it will still
switch players when tapped. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] Player is chosen when you tap the
land for mana.
Raise Dead:
You must show the card you bring out of the graveyard to your opponent.
[bethmo]
You can Raise Dead a creature which was discarded from your hand and was
therefore never in play.
The creature being brought back is chosen on announcement and not on
resolution of the spell because it is targeted.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Rakalite:
Only returns to your hand if it is still in play at the end of the turn.
If it leaves play, it does not return. [bethmo]
Can be used any number of times during the turn before it leaves play.
Can choose different targets for each use.
Ray of Command:
+ Can be used on an untapped creature. Being tapped is not a targeting
requirement. [Aahz 06/08/95]
+ Only removes "summoning sickness" from the creature. It does not allow a
Wall to attack, allow an attack when an attack would be illegal or
override any other rules. [D'Angelo 07/05/95]
Ray of Erasure:
+ Can be played if opponent has no cards in their library. They do not lose
the game. You still get to draw a card next upkeep. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Recall:
As errata, the card should read "Choose and discard X cards from your hand
to take X cards from your graveyard and put them into your hand. Remove
Recall from the game". [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Choose which cards to discard when announced, discard them on resolution.
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Must discard all of the chosen cards that are still in your hand on
resolution. If any one of the cards is not in your hand and cannot be
discarded, then you do not draw any cards. Recall is still removed from
the game [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
The "UXX" casting cost is not a misprint. It means to spend one blue plus
two times X colorless to cast the spell. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 7]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
Reconstruction:
The Anvil symbol is missing from the Arabian Nights version of this card.
Red Elemental Blast:
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target blue
cards or spells while the Fourth Edition on can target any blue
permanent (including tokens) or spells. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
As errata to the Alpha printing of the Limited Edition version of this
card, the card should be of type "Interrupt" and not "Instant".
Red Mana Battery:
See Black Mana Battery for rulings.
Red Ward:
See Black Ward for rulings.
Reflecting Mirror:
This spell only changes the target of a spell, and not the caster.
[bethmo 08/10/94]
Can only be used during the period where a spell can be interrupted right
before it becomes successfully "cast". You cannot wait until later to
use this effect. [D'Angelo 05/22/95]
Cannot be used on spells which are not targeted such as Hurricane, nor
can it be used on redirected spell effects such as with Personal
Incarnation or Jade Monolith (unless that redirection specifically changes
the target, so you can Reflecting Mirror someone else's use of Reflecting
Mirror). [Aahz 08/12/94]
Cannot be used on spells in which only one "fork" of the spell targets you.
For example, you cannot Reflect a Fireball which targets you and one of
your creatures. [Aahz 09/15/94]
Spells such as Mind Twist which affect your "opponent" are considered
targeted and can be reflected. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
This includes even spells like Mana Clash. [D'Angelo 01/19/95]
Cannot be used on spells like Eye for An Eye which target something else but
do damage to you. [WotC Rules Team 11/16/94]
Cannot be used on effects generated by permanents. Those are effects and
not spells.
Can be used on spells which will become permanents but that are targeted.
For example, and artifact like Black Vise or an enchantment like Lifetap
target a player when cast. [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95] But you cannot
choose an illegal target. Thus if the spell targets "opponent", you
cannot reflect it to target the caster. [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
Regeneration:
+ On the Ice Age version of this card, ignore the first sentence up to the
comma. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Regrowth:
You must show the card you bring out of the graveyard to your opponent.
[bethmo]
You can Regrow a card which was discarded from your hand and was therefore
never in play.
This is a targeted effect. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 03/23/94.
Reincarnation:
Caster selects the creature which comes into play. [Card Text]
Can bring back the same creature because you select the creature after
sending the current one to the graveyard. [bethmo 06/29/94]
If cast on the Firestorm Phoenix, you get the Phoenix placed in your hand
before you select a creature, so you must pick another creature from
the graveyard to put into play. [bethmo 06/29/94]
Spell fizzles if there are no creatures in the graveyard (this is possible
if the creature it was cast on was a Firestorm Phoenix, Cyclopean Mummy,
or some other creature that leaves the graveyard immediately after
entering it. [bethmo [6/29/94]
Relic Barrier:
Can target a tapped artifact. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Relic Bind:
As errata to the Legends version of the card, it should read "When target
artifact that opponent controls is tapped..."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138] It is inert when on one of your own
artifacts. The Fourth edition version of this card is correctly worded.
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Remove Enchantments:
Read the second sentence as saying "If cast while an opponent is attacking
you". [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Remove Soul:
Only works on Summon cards. Cannot counter an Artifact creature or spell
which brings a creature into play but which does not say "Summon" under
the picture. [bethmo 06/15/94]
Resurrection:
Resurrected creatures cannot be tapped to attack or to use a special effect
on the turn in which they come into play. [Page 30]
Treat the creature like it has been summoned but with zero applied to any
'X' in the casting cost. So, a Resurrected Clone would get to choose a
creature to copy and a Resurrected Rock Hydra would have zero heads.
[PPG Page 92]
You can Resurrect a creature which was discarded from your hand and was
therefore never in play.
Reverberation:
If used on a sorcery like Hurricane which does X damage to multiple targets,
it will cause that player to take damage equal to the sum of all damage
inflicted by the spell. Ouch! [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
This spell can only be used during a damage prevention step during which
damage from a sorcery is present. It cannot be used on sorceries that
do not do damage. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Damage prevention can be used before this spell resolves. Only unprevented
damage upon resolution will be redirected. [D'Angelo 05/31/95]
Regenerating a creature effectively removes the damage from it so it will
not be redirected. [D'Angelo 05/31/95]
Reverse Damage:
This can be played when the damage occurs (as a form of damage
prevention) or later in the same turn to retroactively remove damage.
If used later in the turn, any effects that were caused by the damage
(i.e. Hypnotic Specter, Drain Life, etc.) are not undone.
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
If a source does damage to you multiple times in the same turn, you can
reverse all of it, not just one time. [Card Text]
Actually removes damage when it gives you life, so you gain nothing by
casting two of these in a row. [WotC Rules Team]
When being used to retroactively affect damage, it is not targeted. This
means that it can be used even if you have taken no damage this turn,
in order to waste the spell. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Can be used on damage from mana burn. [bethmo 08/12/94]
Reverse Polarity:
Actually removes damage when it gives you life, so you gain nothing by
casting two of these in a row. [WotC Rules Team]
When being used to retroactively affect damage, it is not targeted. This
means that it can be used even if you have taken no damage this turn,
in order to waste the spell. [bethmo 06/06/94]
Righteousness:
Can only be used during the attack phase on a blocking creature because
it says "defending" creature. [Aahz 06/06/94]
The benefits last until the end of the turn like all instants.
Rime Dryads:
+ Cannot landwalk through a non-snow-covered Forest.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Ring of Ma'ruf:
Can acquire a creature which was removed from the game by the Oubliette,
Disintegrate, Swords to Plowshares, or Tawnos's Coffin. [bethmo]
Cannot acquire the Ante cards. They are considered still "in the game"
as are cards in the library and the graveyard. [bethmo]
While in a sub-game started by Shahrazad, you cannot take cards from the
parent game. This "sub-game" is still part of the larger "game".
[bethmo]
Removes itself from the game when the effect is announced. It does not
wait around for resolution. [D'Angelo 05/31/95]
Can only acquire cards you own. [bethmo]
You do not need to show the card you acquire to your opponent. [bethmo]
Ring of Renewal:
Can be used if you have no card to discard but it will fizzle and you will
not draw a card. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
The card is discarded when the effect is resolved.
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
If you have Library of Leng in play, you can discard to the top of your
library. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
As errata, consider the word "and" to be the word "to". This makes the
discarding of a card a prerequisite for drawing. [Aahz 05/09/95]
Ritual of Subdual:
+ All affected lands produce colorless mana and the amount generated is not
affected. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ Will not remove restrictions on how mana generated by the land is used.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95] For example, the mana from a Mishra's
Workshop still is limited.
Rocket Launcher:
Because it does not have tapping as part of its activation cost, you can
power it many times in one turn, but it is destroyed at the end of any
turn in which you use it. [Card Text]
Can be powered for more than one point of damage in a single activation
by putting in all the mana at once. [bethmo]
Can choose different targets for each use. [bethmo]
Can be animated and enchanted with Regeneration. If so, it can regenerate
from the destroy effect at end of turn. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
It does not sacrifice itself. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94] The Guardian Beast
can prevent it from being destroyed. [Aahz]
Rock Hydra:
The Rock Hydra loses counters instead of taking damage until it runs out of
counters. Then damage is applied normally. By spending R, the damage is
actually being prevented. Losing a counter is another way to prevent the
damage. So damage does not accumulate in either of these cases. [WotC
Rules Team 01/24/94]
Since the Hydra loses heads due to damage before accumulating damage
points, instants like Giant Growth are not totally useful with a Rock
Hydra. A Hydra with 4 heads and a Giant Growth is 7/7, but after
taking 4 damage (without paying the mana to keep the heads) it will
lose all of its heads and die once the Giant Growth wears off.
[bethmo]
Regeneration does not make much sense with the Hydra. It loses a head
each time it takes damage until it reaches 0/0. Regenerating the
creature results in a creature with exactly as many +1/+1 counters as it
had when it died. If it died due to taking damage, it will have no
counters, hence it will, be 0/0 and will only live if its toughness is
increased by something like Castle. If, however, it dies by say Blue
Elemental Blast, it could indeed regenerate and keep its counters.
[Chris Page]
When it dies it "forgets" how many heads it had, so Resurrection, Animate
Dead and other cards which pull out of the graveyard result in a 0/0
creature. This creature will only live if its toughness is increased
by something like Castle. [PPG Page 92]
Note that once a spell is in play, any X is considered to be zero when
calculating its casting cost. [PPG Page 56] This means that
Metamorphosis on a Hydra gives only 2 mana.
The Alpha printing version of this card had 'R's where the red mana
symbols are on all further printings.
Rohgahh of Kher Keep:
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
requires you to. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Royal Assassin:
As with all targeted effects, the requirements for targeting are checked
when declaring the effect and when resolving it. So, if the creature
is no longer tapped (it untaps by Twiddle or other effect) when the
Assassin is resolved, then the effect fizzles. [Aahz]
Cannot target a creature with Protection from Black. [bethmo]
You can kill your own creatures. [bethmo]
Ruins of Trokair:
See Dwarven Ruins for rulings.
Rukh Egg:
As official errata to the card, it should read "If Rukh Egg goes to the
graveyard from play...". [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 137] This means
that no Rukh hatches if it is discarded or countered.
You get the benefit of the Egg if it leaves play due to any reason which
causes it to go to the graveyard from play. This includes being
"destroyed", "discarded", "placed in graveyard" or "sacrificed".
If the Egg is discarded by City in a Bottle, you get a Rukh. [Arab FAQ
01/05/94]
Note that Disintegrate and Swords to Plowshares remove the Egg from the
game instead of sending the card to the graveyard, so no Rukh hatches.
[bethmo]
The Rukh that hatches is a red creature. [Card Text]
The Rukh is not a "card", it is a token. See the "Token Creatures" entry
in the General Rulings for more information.
The Rukh cannot be used to attack until it begins one of your turns in
play. [Page 30]
Animate Dead brings back a -1/3 Egg which will hatch into a fully
functional Rukh (the Animate Dead goes to the graveyard with the Egg).
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
If a Clone or a Doppelganger of a Rukh Egg is destroyed, it hatches into a
fully functional Rukh. [bethmo]
If the Egg is destroyed while under the control of another player, the
controller of the Egg gets the Rukh. This applies to Animate Dead as
well. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
If the Rukh Egg card is removed from the graveyard in the same turn it is
put there, a Rukh will still hatch. [bethmo 08/10/94]
Sleight on Mind can be used to change the color of the Rukh that will
hatch. [bethmo]
Was on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments from 01/25/94 to 02/23/94.
Runesword:
Creatures do go to the graveyard before leaving play.
[WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
Rust:
Can only counter effects which read "Cost: Effect" so ones like Life Chisel
are excluded. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
The player does not get back any costs spent to generate the effect being
countered. [bethmo 09/20/94] This means that any sacrifices (even if the
artifact sacrifices itself) are not undone. The cards are lost.
[Aahz 12/02/94]
- - * - * - S - * - * - -
Sacrifice:
Cannot be used on a creature with lethal damage, but can be used before
the creature receives the damage. [bethmo]
Sacrificing an animated artifact gives the casting cost of the artifact.
[bethmo]
Sacrificing an animated land gives no mana since casting cost was zero.
Sacrifice does not give any mana for the enchantments on the creature.
[bethmo]
The Revised and Fourth edition versions of this card actually sacrifice the
creature, and since sacrifices cannot be prevented, this can be used even
on creatures with Protection from Black. The Limited and Unlimited
edition versions of this card merely "destroy without possibility of
regeneration" and so cannot be used on creatures with Protection from
Black. [Aahz 09/12/94]
Safe Haven:
When the creature leaves play any damage or "will be destroyed at some
future time" effects are removed from the creature.
Enchantments and counters on creatures are destroyed when they are sent to
the Haven. [WotC Rules Team 09/30/94]
When creatures return to play, they come back as if just summoned with any
counters or such due them on summoning. Creatures with X in the casting
cost are treated as X is zero. [WotC Rules Team 09/30/94] Creatures which
can pay costs when summoned to determine abilities must have those costs
paid at this time.
Creatures return to play in any order you choose. If a Clone enters play
and there is no creature to copy, it fizzles and is placed in the
graveyard. [WotC Rules Ream 10/12/94]
Creatures return to the control of the player that last had control of them,
although they may immediately revert to some other player if something
has changed since they were sent to the Haven.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7] Since they return as if newly cast, they
will almost certainly return to their owner's control. There is no
existing effect which will hold a creature. [D'Angelo 06/02/95]
If the Haven is destroyed, any creatures it pulled out of the game are
simply lost. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
All cards in the Haven stay there even if they cease to be creatures. When
the Haven is sacrificed, the cards come back into play whether or not
they are creatures. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
+ Token creatures are removed from the game when this effect is used on them.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
If changed to another land type using a spell such as Phantasmal Terrain,
creatures are not lost but cannot be released until the land is reverted
to normal. [Duelist Magazine #3, Page 7]
The last sentence should read "Treat this as if they were just cast".
[Aahz 10/06/94]
Sage of Lat-Nam:
As errata to the card, it should read "Tap: Sacrifice an artifact to draw
a card." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Cannot use the ability unless you have an artifact to sacrifice. It is
part of the cost. [Aahz]
The "place in the graveyard" statement is actually a "sacrifice" and is a
cost which cannot be prevented. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
Samite Healer:
+ The Fourth Edition version only targets the damage, while the Limited,
Unlimited and Revised edition versions targeted the creature or player
and the damage. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Sandals of Abdallah:
They are destroyed if the creature wearing them goes to the graveyard or
is removed from the game. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Sand Silos:
See Bottomless Vault for rulings.
Sandstorm:
Can be played during the attack phase before damage dealing. Creatures
receive the damage immediately and may be killed off. [Arab FAQ
01/05/94]
Savannah:
See Badlands for rulings.
Scarecrow:
Even prevents non-combat damage from flying creatures. This can include
damage from Ifh-Biff Efreet or even not paying upkeep to the Lord of
the Pit (but this is a difficult situation to arrange since you'd
have to pay the Scarecrow and somehow have it be destroyed before the
Lord tries to take it as a sacrifice). [Aahz 02/07/95]
Scarwood Bandits:
Can only take control of an artifact controlled by another player. That
player is the one able to pay to cancel the effect.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Scarwood Goblins:
The text on the card explaining the color is considered to be explanatory
and not characteristic text. This means that it cannot be affected by
Sleight of Mind and is not copied by copy cards such as Doppelganger.
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 22]
This card can have its color changed by a lace spell but not by
Sleight of Mind. This is a REVERSAL of a ruling in Duelist Magazine #2
on page 86. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Scavenger Folk:
Artist's name is spelled incorrectly.
Scavenging Ghoul:
They gather counters at the end of the turn so they cannot gather counters
for dead creatures until that point. Note that the Ghoul still gets to
claim counters even if it enters play after the creatures died. [bethmo]
The Ghoul does not gain for cards "removed from the game".
The Revised edition version of this card only allows regeneration when
the Ghoul dies due to taking damage. It cannot regenerate from being
simply destroyed by a destroy effect. The Limited, Unlimited and Fourth
edition Ghouls can regenerate whenever it is destroyed by any means.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Scrubland:
See Badlands for rulings.
Seafarers' Quay:
See Adventurers' Guildhouse for rulings.
Sea Serpent:
Once you run out of Islands, it is immediately buried and a damage
prevention step happens. It cannot be Magical Hacked at this time to
save it because it is already dying. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
As errata, the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition version should say
say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64] The Fourth edition version is correct.
Seasinger:
You do not lose control of the stolen creature if it stops being a creature.
You only lose control if Seasinger leaves your control or becomes
untapped. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Season of the Witch:
Any creatures which cannot attack for some reason are exempted. [Card Text]
Island Sanctuary, Moat, Arboria, and other effects or creature limitations
such as the Sea Serpent's "opponent must have islands" may cause creatures
to be unable to attack. [Aahz 08/09/94]
Creatures like Leviathan which have a cost to pay or have an effect when
they attack must attack. [Aahz 08/09/94]
You are not forced to do everything in your power to make something attack.
For example, a Wall of Wonder won't be destroyed if you don't pay to
animate it. [Aahz 09/02/94]
Sengir Vampire:
Gets counters when creatures go to the graveyard. If it dies at the same
time as a creature it killed, it does not get the counter. If it
regenerates or otherwise lives past the creature being killed, it gets
the counter. [bethmo]
Sentinel:
The * is set to 1 when cast and you can change it once per combat in which
the Sentinel blocks or is blocked. You cannot continue to change it if
the other creature's power changes. The * stays at this value until it
is changed again. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
Seraph:
+ You do not get the creature back if the creature is not still in the
graveyard at the end of the turn. [Aahz 06/10/95]
Serendib Djinn:
If the destruction of the Land selected during upkeep is prevented by any
means, the Djinn has still been paid. It is the attempt to destroy that
makes the Djinn happy. So, use those Pyramids and Consecrate Lands!
[WotC Rules Team 11/16/94]
The Djinn only damages you if an Island is successfully destroyed.
[bethmo]
If you have more than one Djinn, you may feed them one at a time. This
may allow you to feed the same Consecrated Land to all the Djinni.
[bethmo]
Serendib Efreet:
Due to a printing error, the Revised edition version of this card has a
green background and the picture of the Ifh-Biff Efreet while having the
blue casting cost and characteristics of the Serendib Efreet.
The Revised edition version is a blue card because casting cost sets the
color, not the background color. [Page 10]
Serpent Generator:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
See the "Poison" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Serra Angel:
Although not tapped to attack, it must follow the rule all creatures do
that it cannot attack in the same turn in which it comes into play.
Shahrazad:
Yes this card is as annoying as you imagine :-(
If a card is "removed from play" in the sub-game it is still shuffled
back in before returning to the main game. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
The player going first in the parent game goes first in the sub-game.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
At the start of the sub-game both players draw 7 cards. If one player
has fewer than 7 cards, that player loses. If both have fewer than 7
cards, both players lose. [bethmo]
The loss of life caused by losing the sub-game is not preventable by any
means, including Conservator. [PPG Page 113]
In a multiplayer game, all players play and the winner loses no life. All
the losers lose 1/2 of their life. If it is a draw, then all players
lose 1/2 of their life. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94 because it really slows down tournaments.
Shapeshifter:
If it begins upkeep with power of 2 or 1, the Dwarven Warriors may be
tapped to make it unblockable before you change the Shapeshifter to be
a 6/1 creature. [Aahz]
Can only change form once a turn. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
The Antiquities version of this card can change from 0/7 to 6/1. The
Fourth edition version goes all the way to 7/0.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Shatter:
Regenerating artifacts can regenerate from this because this is a simple
"destroy" and not a "bury" effect. [Snark]
Shelkin Brownie:
Can only remove "Bands with Other" and not normal "Banding" ability.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
Shyft:
+ The color change wears off at the end of the turn like a normal fast
effect. [D'Angelo 06/21/95] (This is a preliminary ruling and may be
overturned.)
Simulacrum:
All damage retains its color and special abilities if you assign it to a
creature immediately. If used retroactively, then the damage remembers
its color and source type but not any of the abilities associated with
the damage (such as Hypnotic Spectre or Sengir Vampire).
[WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Can be used (in its retroactive damage removal mode) even if no damage
has been taken this turn. [WotC Rules Team 05/10/95]
Cannot be cast unless there is a creature to target the damage to.
[bethmo 06/06/94] Note that it will fizzle if the creature becomes an
invalid target after it is declared but before it is resolved.
You cannot Simulacrum damage to a creature with Protection from Black
because this is a black spell and cannot target such a creature.
[WotC Rules Team 01/24/94]
You can Simulacrum damage due to an unblocked or trampling creature to
another creature involved in the attack, even if that creature has
already taken fatal damage, because creatures are not removed until
after damage prevention is allowed. [WotC Rules Team 01/24/94] (Note
that this only works during the damage prevention step... once
resolution is over the creature is removed.)
You cannot Simulacrum Loss of Life to a creature, just damage.
Simulacrum does not grant regeneration ability to the target creature, it
just allows any existing regeneration ability to be used. [bethmo]
Sindbad:
You can use the Library of Leng ability to discard to the top of your
library. [Aahz 07/25/94]
Singing Tree:
Can only be used during an attack phase.
Effects last until the end of the current attack phase.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Changes creature's current power to zero but does not prevent raising it
after the Tree has been used on it. [Arab FAQ 01/05/94] The full effect
is to apply a -P/-0 to the creature where P=power of creature when the
Tree is used. [Aahz]
Siren's Call:
See the "Attack or Die Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more
information.
As errata, the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition cards should have
the last part read "May not be used on creatures which cannot attack
because they were not in play on their controller's side at the beginning
of the turn." [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 68]
This cannot be used after an attack. The word "should" should be
interpreted as "can only". [bethmo]
Only creatures in play when the spell is cast are affected. This means
that the Jade Statue and any creatures which come into play after this
spell is cast are not affected. [bethmo]
Targets one opposing player. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
If this spell is redirected to a player other than the player whose turn it
is, it has no effect. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
Skull of Orm:
Can bring back any enchantment. This includes enchantment, enchant creature,
enchant world and so on. [Aahz 01/01/95]
Sleight of Mind:
+ Alters all occurrences of the color word on the given card. These words
must occur in the text box on the card. [WotC Rules Team]
Can target a card with no color words on it. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Cannot change a color word to the same color word. It must be a different
word. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
You cannot Sleight proper nouns (i.e. card names). This means that you
cannot affect Black Vise. [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
You cannot Sleight references to a card's own color. This applies to cards
like the Dark Heart of the Wood, various Kobolds, and Fork.
[WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
Change lasts until the card so-changed is taken out of play. In a
multiplayer game, this means it persists even after the player who cast
the Sleight of Mind leaves the game. The card forgets the change if it
goes to the graveyard or is Unsummoned. [Chris Page]
This spell can be used to change the "flavor text" (the italicized text)
on the card. This has no game effect but uses up the spell. [bethmo]
The Limited, Unlimited, and Revised edition versions only can target
cards or spells while the Fourth Edition on can target any permanent
(including tokens) or spells. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Smoke:
Lands animated by Living Lands or Kormus Bell are affected by this spell.
Does not prevent cards from being untapped outside the untap phase. [bethmo]
Sol'kanar the Swamp King:
Cannot trigger off its own casting. [Aahz 07/27/94]
Sol Ring:
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Sorceress Queen:
It changes the text on the card to read 0/2. Any counters or
enchantments which improve (or weaken) the creature's combat values
remain in effect. [WotC Rules Team 01/24/94] Note that this may
actually make a Rock Hydra stronger or kill a creature with two or more
-1/-1 counters on it.
Even other fast effects, like Giant Growth, that change the creature's
power will remain after this effect. Recalculate the power/toughness
resolving all effects in the order they were placed on the creature.
[Page 17]
May not target herself since it says "another creature" rather than "any
creature". [bethmo]
Creatures with power or toughness calculated (such as Nightmare or Keldon
Warlord) do not have this number recalculated while the Sorceress effect
is upon that creature. [Peterson 11/07/94]
Sorrow's Path:
The damage is done whenever and however Sorrow's Path is tapped. It is not
linked to using the effect and the damage occurs immediately upon tapping.
[bethmo 08/15/94]
If a creature is removed from being a blocker, any effects on the creature
that would have happened because it was declared as a blocker still
happen. For example, a creature which was blocking the Aisling
Leprechaun would still become green if removed. [Aahz 03/10/95]
Only usable if you are not the defending player.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Soul Burn:
+ Will give 1 life for each black mana used even if the damage is prevented.
This is limited to the creature's toughness or player's life.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Soul Exchange:
Putting a counter on the creature brought into play is not a targeted
effect and so Protection from Black will not prevent it. [Aahz 01/08/95]
Soul Kiss:
+ Ignore the first sentence of this card up to the comma.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Soul Net:
This card can be used whenever a creature goes to the graveyard from play.
[Card Text]
It cannot be used on creatures which are Disintegrated, Swords to
Plowshared or otherwise removed from the game.
If animated, it cannot be used for its own destruction since it will not
be in play after it goes to the graveyard. [Aahz 06/06/94]
It can only be used at the time a creature goes to the graveyard. You do
not have until the end of the turn to use this effect.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
+ Because this is a triggered effect it is used in a timing bubble where its
effect cannot be countered. [Aahz 06/25/95]
Spectral Cloak:
As errata to the card, the following should be added "Spectral Cloak does
not cause any enchantments on target creature to be destroyed."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
This spell does not remove itself. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
Note that interrupts are considered "fast effects" and are prevented from
targeting a Cloaked creature. [D'Angelo 02/07/95]
Spirit Link:
You only gain life for damage which is not prevented regardless of what
the creature damages (player or another creature) or the toughness of
the blocking creature. If you put Spirit Link on a Shivan Dragon and
it is blocked by a Scryb Sprite, you still gain 5 life points. If the
Sprite has Protection from Red, you gain zero life since the protection
reduces the damage to zero. [bethmo 07/08/94]
If a creature has more than one Spirit Link on it, they all work.
[Aahz 07/15/94]
Works for damage due to combat or due to any special ability of the
creature. For example, you would get one life for tapping a Prodigal
Sorcerer to do damage. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9] Note that this is
great for creatures which damage you, such as not paying the Force of
Nature's upkeep, since you will get as much life as you take in damage.
Spoils of War:
+ Targets an opponent and does not require any specific number of creatures
and artifacts in the graveyard. You must pay X where X is the number of
creatures and artifacts in their graveyard when you announce the spell.
It will resolve successfully even if the number of creatures and artifacts
changes before resolution, but X does not change.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ If this spell is to be redirected, it can only be directed to a player with
exactly X creatures and artifacts in the graveyard.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ You decide where the counters go during announcment and not at resolution.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ The text "creatures and artifacts" means the sum of cards which are either
creature and/or artifact. [D'Angelo 06/19/95]
Spore Cloud:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information
Only taps blockers that have been declared before the spell is cast. Only
makes attackers or blockers that have been declared before the spell is
cast unable to untap as normal next turn. So, if used before attackers
or blockers are declared, it is simply a Fog-like effect. If used after
attackers are declared but before blockers are declared, it does the Fog
effect and makes attackers not untap as normal. If done after blockers
are declared, it has full effect. [D'Angelo 05/16/95]
Squire:
Artist's name is spelled incorrectly.
Stangg:
A Clone (or other copy) of Stangg will also get a twin as it comes into
play. Both the copy and the twin will then be buried because they are
duplicates of Legends. The only reason this is mentioned here is that
two death events get generated for the likes of the Soul Net.
[Aahz 08/12/94]
If Stangg or the Twin are put into Tawnos' Coffin or Oubliette, then the
other one will be buried. The Twin will also be destroyed if put into
either of these. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94] When Stangg returns from
either of these, he will not get a new Twin, but he will not be buried
either. This is because Stangg is only buried if the Twin leaves play
while he is in play. If he enters play without a Twin, that is okay.
[Aahz 10/21/94]
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Stasis:
Does not prevent cards from being untapped outside the untap phase. [bethmo]
Steal Artifact:
As errata, add the text "You control target artifact until Steal Artifact is
removed or game ends." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 135]
Can steal artifact creatures. [bethmo]
Is destroyed if its target ever stops being an artifact.
The word "discarded" on the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition version
of this card should be replaced with "until enchantment is removed".
[WotC Rules Team]
Stone Calendar:
Does not change the cost of the spell, it just pays part of it for you.
[bethmo 09/22/94] So the cost is still the full cost for reasons of
Spell Blast of other such effects.
Only contributes one colorless toward the spell casting cost. This cannot
reduced your payment below zero even when combined with Mana Matrix or
Planar Gate. You must always pay the colored mana part of the spell cost.
[bethmo 08/10/94]
Only contributes to the colorless mana portion of a spell's cost. If the
spell does not accept colorless mana or accepts less than 2, you get a
reduced or null effect from this card. [Aahz 12/06/94]
You may choose not to use the Calendar's bonus. [bethmo 08/17/94]
Stone Giant:
The Giant can throw itself (if its power is enhanced). [bethmo] This
does not seem to do any good since you now have a tapped flying Giant,
but it might be useful sometime.
Storm Seeker:
Your opponent may cast any interrupts or instants in their hand before this
spell is resolved in order to take less damage.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
As errata to the card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent".
This means you can use it on yourself. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Strip Mine:
As errata to the Antiquities version of this card, "place Strip Mine in your
graveyard" should read "sacrifice Strip Mine".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Tapping is part of the cost of destroying another land, so the Strip Mine
must be untapped before you use it. [bethmo]
Consecrate Land and Pyramids will not prevent the Strip Mine from sending
itself to the graveyard. [bethmo]
Will trigger Dingus Egg or anything else which triggers on lands being
destroyed or sent to the graveyard. [bethmo]
Su-Chi:
As official errata to the card, it should read "If Su-Chi goes to the
graveyard from play..." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138] This means that
it does not do anything if discarded or countered.
You cannot choose not to get the 4 mana when Su-Chi is destroyed.
Note that if it dies during damage dealing, you get 4 colorless mana. You
can only use damage prevention spells and lucky charms at this time, and
your mana pool will be emptied (causing "mana burn") once damage
prevention is over and before you can use even a fast effect! So you
cannot use this mana to power a Dragon Engine, spell or other fast
effect. [bethmo 05/09/94] You can use it on a Soul Net or as part of a
damage prevention spell like Guardian Angel.
Svyelunite Priest:
Does not cause enchantments on it to be removed when the effect is
activated. An enchantment in play is neither a spell or an effect.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
The effect prevents spells or the effects of permanents from targeting the
creature. Enchantments which confer an ability (such as Lance or
Firebreathing) are not prevented. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Does not prevent sacrifices since sacrifices are not targeted. [Page 62]
Svylunite Temple:
See Dwarven Ruins for rulings.
Sword of the Ages:
You can't sacrifice creatures you don't control. [Page 62]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
Swords to Plowshares:
The creature does not die and therefore cannot be regenerated or drive
any effect which is triggered by a creature dying (including Creature
Bond, Personal Incarnation, Soul Net, etc.). The creature just leaves
the game. [bethmo]
The controller of the creature may decide to "pump up" the creature
before it leaves in order to get more life out of the deal because the
total power of the creature (including enchantments and such) is
counted.
If the creature has a negative power, the player does not lose life. It
the same as if it had a power of zero. [Aahz]
Sylvan Library:
All effects in magic are resolved one at a time, so if you use multiple
Sylvan Libraries at once, each will resolve in sequence. You do not
get to draw all the cards at once then put them all back at once.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
You may wait until after your normal draw before deciding whether or not to
use this effect. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
You can return zero, one or two cards. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
- - * - * - T - * - * - -
The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale:
The upkeep cost is not mandatory. [Aahz 06/15/94]
Tablet of Epityr:
See the "Lucky Charms" entry in the General Rulings for related rulings.
Only works when artifact goes to the graveyard from play, not from a
player's hand. At that time, the card is not an artifact. [bethmo]
Cannot be used on itself because it is used after an artifact goes to the
graveyard. [Aahz 06/06/94]
Taiga:
See Badlands for rulings.
Takklemaggot:
This spell is cast on a creature. On the upkeep of the player controlling
the creature, the creature gets a -0/-1 counter. When the creature is
destroyed (by the counters or any other means), the controller of the
creature gets to place Takklemaggot on a creature of their choice. If
there are no creatures to put it on, then Takklemaggot becomes a simple
enchantment. [Card Text]
If the creature leaves play without going to the graveyard (via Unsummon
or something like that), Takkelmaggot is simply destroyed.
[bethmo 08/23/94]
Note that Takklemaggot is always "controlled" in the game sense by the
player who cast it, even though decisions are being made by the player
whose creature is affected. [Aahz 07/06/94]
Tawnos's Coffin:
All damage and scheduled destruction (i.e. dies at end of turn) are
removed when the creature goes out of play. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Note that token creatures which are removed from play leave the game
permanently. [Page 63]
Remember that the creature, when removed from the Coffin cannot attack or
be tapped until you begin a turn with it in play. [Page 30]
If a creature enters the Coffin, then exits it during the same turn, it
is still subject to Summoning Sickness. [WotC Rules Team 04/12/95]
A creature in the Coffin is considered to be in suspended animation. When
it returns, you need not pay any costs or deal with any effects that
happen because the creature re-entered play. For example, you do not
choose a new creature for a Clone or sacrifice Forests to a Wood
Elemental. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Creatures like Stangg and Hazezon Tamar which get token creatures when they
enter play do not get those creatures when they re-enter.
[WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
The creature returns to play, and if not already tapped, it taps at that
time. This does cause any effects which trigger off the creature becoming
tapped. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
+ A creature in the Coffin does not have its Cumulative Upkeep continue to
climb but it also does not reset this value.
Tawnos's Wand:
The second sentence should read "after the Wand is used" instead of
"after defense is chosen".
The Antiquities version of this card made the creature blockable only by
artifact creatures. The Fourth edition version makes the creature
totally unblockable. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Tawnos's Weaponry:
There is a variant of this card on which the colorless mana circle is
missing behind the activation cost.
Telekinesis:
See the "Fog Effects" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Tempest Efreet:
In multiplayer games you can choose a different opposing player each time it
is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94 because it is only used in games for Ante.
Terror:
As with all targeted effects, the requirements for targeting are checked
when declaring the effect and when resolving it. So, if the creature
is becomes a black or artifact creature after this spell is declared
and before it is resolved, then the effect fizzles.
Tetravus:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
When the counters are off the Tetravus and acting as 1/1 Flying artifact
creatures, they are token creatures and follow the rules of token
creatures. [bethmo]
A token creature cannot attack on the turn it enters play. [Page 30]
If the Tetravus is destroyed when the Flyers are off the card, they are
not destroyed, they are just orphaned. [bethmo]
Tokens can only be moved back to the same Tetravus they came from.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Moving a counter on or off the Tetravus is a fast effect. You can move
as many as you want during upkeep, but each can only be moved once.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
Orcish Oriflamme and other non-targeted effects can enhance the token
creatures. [bethmo]
A Clone of Tetravus does get the counters since this is done at casting
time. A Doppelganger only gets tokens if it copies the Tetravus at
casting time and not as a later doppel effect. [WotC Rules Team 07/27/94]
If your opponent controls some of the token creatures, you can still
merge them back into the Tetravus and effectively get them back.
[WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
Merging them back in erases all changes and effects of any sort from the
token creature. [WotC Rules Team 10/12/94]
Thallid:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Thallid Devourer:
See the "Token Creatures" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
Thelon's Curse:
Cannot be used to untap your creatures during your opponent's turn.
[Aahz 12/02/94]
Thelonite Druid:
The most recent land animating ability takes precedence, so if the Druid
were used to make your Bayous into 2/3 creatures and then a Kormus Bell
were put into play, they would become 1/1 instead.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Can sacrifice the Druid to itself. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
Thelonite Monk:
+ Will not add or remove Snow-Covered nature from a land.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Thicket Basilisk:
Creatures can regenerate from the Basilisk's power.
If a group (or banded group) is used to block a Basilisk (or a group
banded with a Basilisk), all of the non-wall defenders are killed via
the Basilisk's power.
Protection from Green does not prevent the Basilisk's power because it is
not a targeted effect. [Page 63]
The Fourth Edition version of this card destroys creatures at the end of
combat. The Limited, Unlimited and Revised editions destroyed the
creature during the normal damage dealing step (first strike on the
Basilisk does not affect when it destroys the creature). [Aahz 05/23/94]
The Fourth Edition version of this card will never destroy a Wall, while the
Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions will destroy an attacking
wall which the Basilisk blocks. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
The Limited and Unlimited versions of Fog do not prevent the Basilisk's
power from working. The Revised version does prevent it. See Fog for
more information.
Thoughtlace:
See Chaoslace for rulings.
Throne of Bone:
See the "Lucky Charms" entry in the General Rulings for related rulings.
Thrull Champion:
Yes, he gives himself the bonus. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Yes, he can be used to steal another Thrull Champion.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Does not lose control of Thrulls when he becomes untapped, so he can take
control of more than one by taking one each turn.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 7]
Thrull Wizard:
You can use this ability multiple times on one spell to force your opponent
to use more than one mana to prevent the spell from being countered.
You can even use this ability, let them pay, then use this ability
repeatedly. [Aahz 01/19/95]
Tidal Flats:
Can be used more than once in a turn. Each time, the opponent can pay to
prevent giving first strike to a creature, but this payment only stops
the current activation and not future activations of Tidal Flats.
[D'Angelo 02/06/95]
+ The payment is made when Tidal Flats resolves. [D'Angelo 06/27/95]
Tidal Influence:
As soon as the number of counters on this card changes, so do the ratings
of all blue creatures. [Aahz 12/02/94]
You can put multiples of these into play due to Eureka because they are not
being "cast". [WotC Rules Team 04/26/95]
Time Elemental:
The self-destruction is not considered a blocking ability which is prevented
by Revised edition Fog. [Aahz 03/07/95]
+ It is destroyed at the end of combat, not when it blocks.
[WotC Rules Team 04/12/95] This correction applies to all versions of
the card.
Timetwister:
Applies to all players in multiplayer games. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Time Vault:
The card says to "skip a turn to untap it". You must skip a turn. On
your following turn, it untaps during your untap phase.
Can use Twiddle to untap without skipping a turn. [Snark]
Instill Energy can untap it without skipping a turn once the Vault is
animated with Animate Artifact. [bethmo]
If you have multiple Time Vaults, you must skip a turn for each one you
wish to untap, not one turn to untap them all. [bethmo]
If multiple "extra turn" effects resolve in the same turn, take them in
the order that the effects resolved. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation banned list (not allowed in a deck)
for tournaments since 03/23/94 because it is easy to abuse. It was
on the restricted list (only 1 per deck) from 01/25/94 to 03/22/94.
Time Walk:
If multiple "extra turn" effects resolve in the same turn, take them in
the order that the effects resolved. [Aahz 12/02/94]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 01/25/94.
Titania's Song:
This spell effectively cancels out all the text in the textbox of the card.
All abilities are lost. [bethmo 09/22/94]
Is not prevented by Guardian Beast. [bethmo]
Tivadar's Crusade:
Artist's name is spelled incorrectly.
Tor Wauki:
Does damage immediately and may kill the creature before damage dealing.
[Aahz 06/17/94]
Total War:
+ Destroys creatures at the end of the Declare Attackers step. [Aahz 06/08/95]
+ Creatures which start your turn on your side, leave your side and then
return will be destroyed by this effect since you cannot attack with them
and they are not exempted from the effect. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Touch of Vitae:
+ You cannot attack when it is not your turn. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Tourach's Chant:
Only checks the type of the land as the land is played. If the land gets
changed afterward (even by a continuous effect like Blood Moon), the Chant
causes no additional effect. [Aahz 12/25/94]
Tourach's Gate:
As errata, the card should read "Can only be played on a target land you
control. Sacrifice a Thrull to put 3 time counters in Tourach's Gate.
During your upkeep, remove a time counter from Tourach's Gate. If there
are no counters on Tourach's Gate, bury it. 0: Tap target land Tourach's
Gate enchants to give all your attacking creatures +2/-1 until end of
turn." [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
+ See the "Enchant Land" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
+ Tapping the land is part of the effect of using the enchantment's ability,
so you do not get mana or any other effect out of the land at the same
time. [Aahz 11/30/94]
Sacrificing a Thrull is an instant speed effect with no other costs.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123] Treat is as if it said "0: Sacrifice a
Thrull to put 3 counters on Tourach's Gate." It is valid whenever fast
effects are.
It only checks if it has no counters during upkeep.
[WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Tracker:
Giving him First Strike does not affect his ability. [bethmo 08/29/94]
The amount of damage he does is fixed when the effect is announced. The
amount of damage the target does back is decided when the effect is
resolved. [Aahz 03/07/95]
If Tracker leaves play before his effect resolves, the target creature is
still damaged. [D'Angelo 05/23/95]
If the target creature leaves play before the effect resolves, then the
whole effect fizzles. [D'Angelo 05/25/95]
Tranquility:
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, the word "discarded" should be read as "destroyed". [PPG Page 113]
Destroys all cards that read "Enchant xxx" as well as those reading
"Enchantment". [bethmo]
Transmutation:
This can effectively kill a creature with a power of zero, but there is
still a chance to increase the power of the creature using fast effects
before this takes effect. [bethmo 06/14/94]
Transmute Artifact:
As errata to the card, the first sentence should read "Sacrifice an
artifact. Search through your library for one artifact and immediately
place it into play." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Additional mana spent to cover the differences in casting costs is not
part of the casting cost of this spell for Spell Blast or any other
reasons. It is spent during spell resolution. [bethmo] If it is not
spent, the spell fizzles and the sacrificed artifact is left in the
graveyard.
The target is the only casting decision. Picking an artifact is part of
the resolution. [bethmo]
The one from the library enters play when the spell is resolved, and this
does not count as the casting of an artifact or destruction of an
artifact. It will not trigger off events which Urza's Chalice or
Citanul Druid can react to. [bethmo]
Trap Door Spider:
+ If removed from play before his effect resolves, the target will still be
removed from the game. [D'Angelo 06/21/95]
Triassic Egg:
The sacrifice of the egg is part of the effect, so you can sacrifice it
at the same time you put on the second counter. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94]
Can hatch as soon as it has two counters on it and is untapped. This can
be on the same turn you added the second counter or on your opponent's
turn as long as it is untapped. [Aahz 06/28/94]
Can only hatch one creature no matter how many counters are on it.
[bethmo 06/20/94]
Triskelion:
It is legal to attack (or defend) with the Triskelion and then after the
attack use some of the +1/+1 counters to do damage to a creature.
[bethmo]
Can still use its ability even when tapped because this is a creature
ability.
Can be used any time a fast effect is legal and not "any time" as the
Antiquities version of the card says.
Counters can be used on the turn it enters play because it does not require
tapping. [bethmo]
+ The Fourth Edition version has an activation cost to remove a counter
while the Antiquities version just had an ability.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Tropical Island:
See Badlands for rulings.
Tundra:
See Badlands for rulings.
Twiddle:
Can be used to untap the Time Vault without skipping a turn [Snark]
Tapping an artifact deactivates it. [Page 31]
Opponent gets a chance to use the card being Twiddled during the same
instant if they so wish.
Note that any cards which might trigger off a card becoming tapped still
trigger. Thus, a Psychic Venom on a land that becomes tapped will
cause 2 damage. [D'Angelo 03/12/95] Similarly, if the card itself
triggers on its own tapping, such as City of Brass or Sorrow's Path, the
effect will still happen. [D'Angelo 04/12/95]
Twiddle to tap can target a tapped card and Twiddle to untap can target an
untapped card. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Note that this is not a toggle effect. If you use Twiddle to tap a card
and before it takes effect your opponent taps it, Twiddle will not
untap the card. [bethmo]
The Unlimited edition version of this card has an extra statement about
"no effects are generated by the target card". This statement does
not make the target unusable, it is just a reminder that tapping a card
with an effect (rather than tapping as part of a cost) does not activate
any abilities on the card.
The text was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the Limited
Edition to add the "no effect" statement.
- - * - * - U - * - * - -
Uncle Istvan:
Works even on damage from special abilities of creatures such as the
Prodigal Sorcerer ability. [Aahz 08/09/94]
Undergroud Sea:
See Badlands for rulings.
Underworld Dreams:
Only affects the drawing of cards. It does not affect spells like Demonic
Tutor, Millstone, or Petra Sphinx which affect the library but do not
say "draw" a card. [bethmo 06/22/94]
You choose one opposing player on casting and it only affects that one
player. This target is not changed even if this card changes controllers.
It becomes useless but stays in play if the target player leaves play.
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 08/01/94.
Unholy Citadel:
See Adventurers' Guildhouse for rulings.
Unholy Strength:
The Fourth edition version of this card has a different version of the card
art. All previous versions had a red pentagram in the background.
Unstable Mutation:
The -1/-1 counters stay even if the enchantment is removed, and that the
+3/+3 goes away when the enchantment does. [Card Text]
Unsummon:
This can be used all the way up to the damage dealing phase of an attack,
but cannot be used after that if the creature was killed. [Snark]
Unsummoning a creature with Animate Dead on it puts the creature into the
owner's hand. [Snark]
If this causes an opponent to go over 7 cards when it is not their turn
they need not discard until the discard phase of their next turn.
An Unsummoned creature forgets its entire previous life.
Unsummoning a token creature just removes it from the game. [bethmo]
As errata to the Limited, Unlimited and Revised edition versions of this
card, the word "discarded" should be read as "destroyed".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 135]
The text was changed between the Alpha and Beta printings of the Limited
Edition.
Untamed Wilds:
+ Can get a Snow-Covered land out. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Urborg:
Can be used on a creature without First Strike but has no effect.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 23]
Ur-Drago:
Allows any creature controlled by any player to block SwampWalking creatures
as if they did not have this ability. It is not limited to just Ur-Drago.
[Aahz 06/17/94]
Urza's Avenger:
The -1/-1 is not permanent. It lasts until the end of the turn as do the
abilities that give the -1/-1. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Urza's Bauble:
+ You draw a card on the upkeep of the turn after you use the effect.
[Aahz 06/08/95]
Urza's Chalice:
May not be used on itself just after it is cast. [Aahz 07/27/94]
Urza's Mine:
If you have at least one of each of the three Urza's lands in play, you
must take the 2 mana instead of just one. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Urza's Miter:
As errata to the card, the last sentence should read "May not be used when
an artifact was placed in the graveyard due to being sacrificed."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
Only works when artifact goes to the graveyard from play, not from a
player's hand. At that time, the card is not an Artifact. [bethmo]
You must be the controller of the artifact to use this.
Cannot be used on itself because it cannot be used after it goes to the
graveyard.
Urza's Power Plant:
If you have at least one of each of the three Urza's lands in play, you
must take the 2 mana instead of just one. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
Urza's Tower:
If you have at least one of each of the three Urza's lands in play, you
must take the 3 mana instead of just one. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
- - * - * - V - * - * - -
Venarian Gold:
As errata to the card, it should read "Put X counters on Venarian Gold..."
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138] Even though it says to put the counters
on the creature, they go away if the enchantment is removed. It should
say that they go on the enchantment.
Once all the counters are gone, it just sits there as an inert enchantment.
[bethmo 06/17/94]
Venom:
Being destroyed at "end of combat" happens after damage resolution for
normal damage dealing. This can result in a regenerating creature having
to regenerate twice... once for damage dealing and once at "end of
combat". [Aahz 01/19/95]
Verduran Enchantress:
The effect is a triggered effect. Whenever you successfully cast an
enchantment, you immediately get the option of drawing a card. This
draw effect resolves immediately. It does not wait for other spells
to be announced or resolved. [Aahz 01/07/95]
+ The Fourth Edition version has an activation cost while the Limited,
Unlimited, and Revised editions just had an ability.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 11]
Vesuvan Doppelganger:
See the "Copy Cards" entry in the General Rulings for more information.
The Doppelganger of an artifact creature can be Shattered or Disenchanted.
Can only switch creatures once per upkeep phase.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 15]
If switches away from a creature, any upkeep costs on that creature need
not be paid. If switching to a creature, the upkeep costs must be paid
before the end of upkeep (if the creature has any).
[Duelist Magazine #3, Page 15]
Animating a dead Doppelganger gets all the Doppelganger's abilities but
it mimics at -1 power. [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
The "normal characteristics" text means that you treat the Doppelganger
as having the exact same text on it as the original card had. This
includes name, casting cost, power/toughness, etc. It does not gain
any enhancements the original creature may have had temporarily through
Instants like Giant Growth or through Enchantments. [bethmo]
When the Doppelganger switches creatures, the creature it used to be is
considered to have left play. This means that if it was a Gaea's
Liege, converted lands revert to their old form, and that if it was
Aladdin, stolen artifacts return to the owner as normal. [bethmo]
Whenever it changes forms, it "resets" and loses any counters or other
gains it made as the creature it was originally copying.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123] This affects creatures like Clockwork
Beast, Fungusaur, Sengir Vampire and Thallids.
When changing forms, it keeps counters due to enchantments, effects of
other spells or permanents, and targeted effects due to its own abilities
that are not represented by counters. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
This includes things like a Giant Growth, pumping up using Fire Breathing,
or even use of Dwarven Warriors _targeted_ ability. It does not include
non-targeted abilities like the Frozen Shade's "B:+1/+1" ability or
counters as mentioned above. Also, if switching from a Thallid, Spore
counters gained as the Thallid are lost, but ones from Fungal Bloom will
stay in case they are useful later. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
When changing forms, the text changes from Magical Hack and Sleight of Mind
are lost in the change along with the old text. [D'Angelo 02/27/95]
When changing forms, it does not get any counters that the creature being
copied would have received when cast, although it would get those counters
when cast. [WotC Rules Team 02/27/94] Thus, a Doppel of a Clockwork
Beast would get counters if it copied the Beast when cast, but would not
get any if it changes form to a Clockwork Beast.
A Doppelganger of a Clone is just a copy of the creature the Clone
copied. [PPG Page 224]
This spell is targeted, so a creature with Protection from Blue cannot be
copied. [WotC Rules Team]
The Doppelganger is targeted and will check the validity of the target
when declared and when resolved. If the target becomes invalid before
resolution on casting the Doppelganger, then the spell fizzles. If it
becomes invalid before resolution of a shape change, then the change
fizzles and it keeps its current form. [WotC Rules Team 02/09/95]
The Doppelganger is treated as a Summon Creature card even if it is
copying an artifact creature. Thus, spells that affect Summon Creatures,
such as Dance of Many, can be used on a Doppelganger of anything.
[Aahz 09/15/94]
Veteran Bodyguard:
If a creature is blocked but Trample damage is still done to a player,
this damage cannot be redirected to the Bodyguard because the Bodyguard
only takes damage from unblocked creatures. [bethmo]
If a creature which does Trample damage is not blocked, the damage is
taken by the Bodyguard. The damage loses its Trample nature. [Snark]
Damage goes to the Bodyguard as long as he is untapped. This works
even if he is blocking. [Peterson 11/01/94]
+ The redirection takes place automatically at the end of the first step of
damage prevention. This is not a fast effect used during damage
prevention but you can use other prevention effects before this one
kicks in. If there is more than one automatic effect, the person
damaged can choose which order to apply them. This damage will result
in a second damage prevention step to follow this one.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Cannot be used against spell or other non-creature attack damage. Note
that the Prodigal Sorcerer and other creatures have non-attack ways to
deliver damage, but only attacking creature damage can be used on a
Bodyguard.
Redirected damage retains its color and any other abilities. [Snark]
In the Limited and Unlimited editions, the Bodyguard did not state that
only one of them could take damage during a given turn, so if two (or
more) Veteran Bodyguards are in play (for the same player), each of the
bodyguards takes all of the unblocked damage. [Snark] If a Martyr of
Korlis is in play, unblocked artifact creature damage must go to a
Martyr because its text overrides the Veteran Bodyguard. All other
unblocked creature damage can and will be taken by your Veteran
Bodyguard. [Aahz]
In the Revised edition, only one Bodyguard can take damage during a given
turn, even if one of the other Bodyguards is a Limited or Unlimited
edition one, or if it is a Martyr of Korlis. This means that you may
choose among your various Bodyguards which one takes creature damage
(with Martyrs usable for artifact creature damage). Note that if a
Martyr takes some artifact damage (creature or not) then none of the
other Revised Bodyguards may take damage for you, even if the damage is
not artifact damage.
Visions:
You cannot rearrange the cards. You put them back in the same order or
you shuffle the whole library. [bethmo 08/31/94]
Vodalian Knights:
As errata, it should say "defending player" instead of "opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Vodalian War Machine:
It cannot override "summoning sickness", so it cannot attack on the turn it
is brought into play. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
Volcanic Eruption:
You can power this spell up for more mana than your opponent has
Mountains in play. If you do so, the additional destruction must be
taken from your own Mountains. You cannot do more damage than there
are Mountains available. [PPG Page 223]
Can be used with X equal to zero. This is useful if no Mountains are in
play. [bethmo]
You must pick which Mountains are targeted when the spell is cast.
[WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
Casting Magical Hack on Volcanic Eruption will not allow you to change the
targets of the spell because you chose the targets when the spell was
declared and before a Hack can interrupt it. The Hack will just cause
it to fizzle [WotC Rules Team 02/07/94]
The Limited/Unlimited edition version of this card does X damage even if
the Mountains are removed. This is because the damage is in no way
ties to the number of mountains destroyed, just the number of mountains
originally targeted. The Revised edition version of this card only
does damage for each land destroyed. [bethmo]
Volcanic Island:
See Badlands for rulings.
Volcanic Island was not in the Alpha printing of the Limited Edition.
Voodoo Doll:
All of the 'X's on this card refer to the number of counters on the card.
Paying twice the number of counters and tapping the Doll does damage
equal to the number of counters. [bethmo 06/15/94]
If Power Artifact is applied to the Doll, each activation will cost X+X-2
with a minimum cost of 1. [Aahz 07/25/94]
Adding a counter to the Doll is considered an upkeep cost. This cost must
be paid before you can use the card. [Duelist Magazine #5, Page 123]
- - * - * - W - * - * - -
Wall of Dust:
Remove the counters during the Heal Creatures portion of your opponent's
next turn. [bethmo 06/16/94]
As errata, read "your opponent" as "their controller".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Wall of Shadows:
Can be destroyed by a Battering Ram because combat effects are not
targeted. [Page 63]
Wall of Spears:
The card says "Counts as a wall" and it means that it is a Wall in all
ways. [bethmo 05/03/94]
Wall of Tombstones:
When first brought into play, * is zero. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
Wall of Vapor:
Once a creature is blocked by the Wall, the creature cannot damage the
wall for the remainder of that turn. So, if an Instill Energy was on
an attacking Prodigal Sorcerer, and the Sorcerer untapped after attacking
and being blocked by the Wall, if it tried to poke the Wall, the damage
would be prevented. [D'Angelo 02/12/95]
Wall of Wonder:
Paying to make the Wall capable of attacking does not override the normal
rule that a creature may not attack unless it began your turn in play.
[Duelist Magazine #2, Page 9]
If the toughness is high enough, you can apply the +4/-4 bonus as many times
as you have mana to pay for it. [Aahz 06/16/94]
Wand of Ith:
Any X in the casting cost of a spell is zero for purposes of the Wand.
[Aahz 08/10/94]
The card is picked during resolution of this effect. [D'Angelo 02/01/95]
This gives the player a chance to cast any instant speed spells prior
to having a random card selected from their hand.
Water Wurm:
Only gets the bonus once even if more than one opponent has an Island in
play. [Aahz 12/25/94]
Gets the bonus in a multiplayer game if any opponent controls an Island
[WotC Rules Team 01/27/95] (This is a correction to the text in
Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64 that says only the defending player
counts)
Weakstone:
The -1/-0 applies to attacking creatures from all players. [Aahz]
Wheel of Fortune:
Applies to all players in multiplayer games. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Has been on the Duelist's Convocation restricted list (only 1 per deck)
for tournaments since 03/23/94.
Whippoorwill:
Trample damage is not considered damage redirection and so is not prevented
by Whippoorwill. [Aahz 12/06/94]
Whirling Dervish:
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
White Mana Battery:
See Black Mana Battery for rulings.
White Ward:
See Black Ward for rulings.
Wiitigo:
+ The last sentence about ignoring the effect only applies to the removal
of counters. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Wild Growth:
+ As errata to all versions of Wild Growth, it always provides mana when the
land is tapped for mana and adds that mana to the land's controller's
mana pool. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ Before the errata, the Limited and Unlimited versions of this card had the
land provide the mana no matter how it is tapped. This includes tapping
it for mana, tapping to attack (as with a Living Land) or tapping it with
Twiddle. The Revised, Fourth edition and Ice Age versions of this card had
the enchantment provide the mana only when the land is tapped for mana and
makes it useless on lands that do not normally provide mana.
+ Before the errata, the Limited and Unlimited versions of this have the land
provide the mana, so the land's controller gets the mana. The Fourth
edition and Ice Age versions had the enchantment provide the mana, so the
controller of the enchantment (and not the land) gets the mana. The
Revised edition one is unclear, so was assumed to follow the Limited and
Unlimited edition one.
Winds of Change:
The number of cards you "originally" had is the number of cards in your hand
when this spell is resolved, and not when it it cast. In other words, if
you start with 7 cards, cast Winds of Change, and then cast 5 other
instants in the same batch, then you will get 1 new card and not 6 or 7.
[Aahz 09/06/94]
Winter Blast:
Will succeed on already tapped creatures and do damage to them.
[Duelist Magazine #5, Page 22]
Winter Orb:
Lands animated by Living Lands or Kormus Bell are affected by this spell.
Winter's Chill:
+ The payments are made when the spell resolves. [Aahz 06/08/95]
Witch Hunter:
As errata, it should be read as saying "any opponent".
[Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Wood Elemental:
You cannot sacrifice lands you don't control. [Page 62]
The *'s are equal to the number of Forests sacrificed when the creature
is brought into play. This includes Clone, Doppelganger, Animate Dead,
Resurrection, or even having it leave an Oubliette or Tawnos' Coffin.
In all these cases Forests need to be sacrificed. [bethmo 06/25/94]
The Forests are sacrificed at resolution time. This means you can use
Magical Hack to change the land type which needs to be sacrificed.
[Aahz 07/25/94] The change must be made during casting. Using Magical
Hack once it is in play accomplishes nothing. [bethmo 09/22/94]
Wooden Sphere:
See the "Lucky Charms" entry in the General Rulings for related rulings.
Word of Command:
The caster of Word of Command controls all aspects of the spell they
have the opponent cast, including the amount of mana and target of the
spell. Note that if the spell just enables something, you cannot power
it in addition to casting it. For example, you cannot cast Pestilence
then tap additional mana to power the card, or summon a Nether Shadow
and declare an attack with it. Spells with an X casting cost have X
decided by the player. [WotC Rules Team 01/24/94] The decisions apply
to ones made on announcement and ones made on resolution.
[D'Angelo 04/11/95]
Since casting this spell is an action, your opponent gets a chance to cast
interrupts and instants in response to your spell. Once the current
batch of effects it resolved, then you can look at your opponent's
hand. Note that if damage occurs during this instant, it must be
resolved before the Commanded spell. [bethmo 05/18/94] It is standard
practice to use up any spells or mana you can before letting your
opponent at your hand.
Your opponent cannot counter the Word of Command once they let you look at
his hand, but they can attempt to counter the spell you force them to
cast. [WotC rules team 01/24/94]
You must order your opponent to cast a spell if it is possible to do so.
[Card Text]
The spell which is cast is considered as being cast by the player
targeted by Word of Command and not by the caster of Word of Command.
[Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
Consider the spell cast under the effects of Word of Command as being the
first spell in a new batch of effects. The spell itself can be responded
to as any spell can. [WotC Rules Team 09/15/94] The new spell stack starts
even before interrupts can be declared. [D'Angelo 02/03/95]
Only land and mana pool are available to the caster. Other sources of
mana are not allowed.
You do get to choose which lands get tapped. [bethmo] This means you can
choose ones with Psychic Venom or other bad effects on them, but does
not allow you to tap a wrong amount of mana (possibly causing mana
burn) is there is a possible way to tap the right amount of mana. For
example, if one Forest and one Forest with Wild Growth are available,
you may not use the one with Wild Growth to cast Giant Growth (cost
'G'). [Aahz] You can make them choose an optional mana generating
ability of the land that is tapped, such as making them sacrifice a
Dwarven Ruins. [WotC Rules Team 12/15/94]
You may Command your opponent to play a land (if they have not already
done so this turn). [Aahz]
With Channel, the amount of mana converted is not a decision in the
casting of the spell. [WotC Rules Team 01/24/94]
You can announce a Word of Command between someone tapping mana for
a spell and them announcing the spell (if it is your turn), but remember
that you do not see your opponent's hand or choose a spell until after
the Word of Command itself resolves. [D'Angelo 04/30/95]
If used with a Demonic Tutor being the card the other player casts, you
do not get to look through that player's library. You get to name a card
for them to take. If it is in the library, they take it. If not, you
name another card. Repeat until you name one that they have.
[D'Angelo 04/11/95]
As errata to the card, it should read "target player" instead of "opponent".
This means you can use it on yourself. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
Worms of the Earth:
+ A land which is somehow put in an Oubliette or Tawnos's Coffin can return
to play since it is not considered a "new land".
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ A land which is somehow put into a Safe Haven will leave the game forever
if it tries to return while Worms of the Earth is in play.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ If you play an effect like Untamed Wilds which lets you put a land into
play, the effect fails. With Untamed Wilds you still shuffle the library.
[WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
+ Eureka will not allow a land to enter play. [WotC Rules Team 06/15/95]
Wrath of God:
White-Warded creatures cannot avoid this spell's effects. Destruction by
means of Wrath of God is not targeted. [Snark]
- - * - * - X - * - * - -
Xenic Poltergeist:
Allows the creature to attack as long as the artifact began play on your
side this turn. [bethmo]
Wears off at the beginning of the upkeep, not during upkeep. [bethmo]
- - * - * - Y - * - * - -
Yawgmoth Demon:
As errata to the card, it should be read as "Flying, first strike.
Sacrifice an artifact during your upkeep or Yawgmoth Demon becomes tapped
and deals 2 damage to you." [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 138]
The sacrificing of an artifact is not mandatory. You can choose not to
sacrifice an artifact but will pay the consequences. [Aahz 11/02/94]
The "place in the graveyard" statement is actually a "sacrifice" and is a
cost which cannot be prevented. [Duelist Magazine #2, Page 14]
Ydwen Efreet:
If the coin flip prevents the Efreet from blocking, you cannot put up a
different blocker instead. The coin flip occurs after you assign
defenders (much like False Orders). [Arab FAQ 01/05/94]
In multiplayer games you can pick a different opposing player to call the
coin toss each time it is used. [Duelist Magazine #4, Page 64]
- - * - * - Z - * - * - -
Zombie Master:
Does not grant the abilities to itself. [PPG Page 225]
The abilities begin once the Master is in play and immediately cease if
it leaves play.
Grants abilities to all Zombies owned by all players. [Snark]
Zur's Weirding:
+ This is a triggered effect that goes off when a draw effect completely
resolves. If a spell/effect causes more than one card to be drawn, wait
for the effect to resolve completely. If that player has any of those
cards still in their hand (which they might not if the effect was a
Sylvan Library for example), then you can pay to make them discard.
[Aahz 06/30/95]
+ Will trigger a Psychic Purge. [Aazh 06/30/95]
Acknowledgments and Disclaimers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
"D'Angelo" is Stephen D'Angelo, the network representative for the
"mtg-l" mailing list. "Peterson" is Paul Peterson, the previous "mtg-l"
representative. "bethmo" is Beth Moursund, the representative before
Paul. "Aahz" is Tom Wylie, the network representative for
the "rec.games.deckmaster" and "rec.games.trading-cards.magic.*"
newsgroups. "Snark" is Dave Howell of WotC. Official rulings from the
rules team are marked as "WotC Rules Team". Rules from the Fourth
Edition rule book are marked with "Page #" (the Ice Age rulebook is
exactly the same except add 2 pages to the page #) and rules from the
Pocket Player's Guide are marked with "PPG Page #"
Every attempt has been made to make this summary accurate, but errors do
creep in. This work should not be considered official or sponsored by
Wizards of the Coast. 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.