Search
Reinterpret
Instant
rare
Counter target spell. You may cast a spell with equal or lesser mana value from your hand without paying its mana cost.
Semantic Tags
A keyword ability that reduces how much mana you need to spend to cast a spell. See rule 702.41, “Affinity.”
A keyword ability that may let a player cast a random extra spell for no cost. See rule 702.85, “Cascade.”
Prevents a spell or ability from resolving.
Answers an opponent's threat by destroying, exiling, bouncing, or otherwise removing a permanent or spell.
Format Legality
Price history
Loading price history…
Printings (3)
| Set | Rarity | TCGplayer | Card Kingdom | Cardmarket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Online Promos#90204 | rare | · | · | · |
| Commander 2021#400 | rare | · | · | · |
| Commander 2021#73 | rare | · | · | · |
Related Rules
Cascade
If a spell has multiple instances of affinity, each of them applies.
Affinity
Affinity is a static ability that functions while the spell with affinity is on the stack. “Affinity for [text]” means “This spell costs {1} less to cast for each [text] you control.”
Cascade is a triggered ability that functions only while the spell with cascade is on the stack. “Cascade” means “When you cast this spell, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card whose mana value is less than this spell’s mana value. You may cast that card without paying its mana cost if the resulting spell’s mana value is less than this spell’s mana value. Then put all cards exiled this way that weren’t cast on the bottom of your library in a random order.”
If an effect allows a player to take an action with one or more of the exiled cards “as you cascade,” the player may take that action after they have finished exiling cards due to the cascade ability. This action is taken before choosing whether to cast the last exiled card or, if no appropriate card was exiled, before putting the exiled cards on the bottom of their library in a random order.
If a spell has multiple instances of cascade, each triggers separately.
Rulings
If you target a spell that can’t be countered, like Heated Debate, you won’t counter the spell, but you will get to cast a spell with an equal or lesser mana value.
If the spell you cast has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X.
This can be used to cast either face of a modal double-faced card, but only if the face you are casting has an equal or lesser mana value than the target spell.
If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t pay any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those.
If a spell with {X} in its mana cost is countered this way, {X} is the value chosen as the spell was cast.