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Illusionist's Stratagem
Instant
uncommon
Exile up to two target creatures you control, then return those cards to the battlefield under their owner's control. Draw a card.
Semantic Tags
Exiles a permanent and returns it to the battlefield — re-triggers ETB effects.
A spell that replaces itself by drawing a card as part of its resolution.
A spell that replaces itself by drawing a card as part of its resolution.
Puts additional cards into your hand. Includes direct draw, 'look/reveal and put into hand' effects, and conditional draw triggers.
A keyword ability that lets a player play a card any time they could cast an instant. See rule 702.8, “Flash.”
Exiles and returns permanents for ETB reuse — distinct from blink by sometimes including end step return.
Exile-based card advantage — exile cards from the top of your library and cast them temporarily. Red's primary draw mechanic.
Format Legality
Price history
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Printings (2)
| Set | Rarity | TCGplayer | Card Kingdom | Cardmarket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaladesh Remastered#53 | uncommon | · | · | · |
| Aether Revolt#36 | uncommon | · | · | · |
Related Rules
If an effect allows a player to cast a spell with certain qualities as though it had flash, that player may consider any choices to be made during that spell’s proposal that may cause that spell’s qualities to change. If any such choices could cause that effect to apply, that player may begin to cast that spell as though it had flash.
If an effect allows a player to cast a spell as though it had flash only if an alternative or additional cost is paid, that player may begin to cast that spell as though it had flash.
If a spell would have flash only if certain conditions are met, its controller may begin to cast that spell as though it had flash if those conditions are met.
Once a player has begun casting a spell that had flash because certain conditions were met or that could be cast as though it had flash because certain conditions were met (see 601.3d), they may continue to cast that spell as though it had flash even if those conditions stop being met.
If two effects state that a player may (or a creature can) do the same thing “as though” different conditions were true, both conditions could apply. If one “as though” effect satisfies the requirements for another “as though” effect, then both effects will apply.
Flash
Flash is a static ability that functions in any zone from which you could play the card it’s on. “Flash” means “You may play this card any time you could cast an instant.”
Multiple instances of flash on the same object are redundant.
Rulings
You may cast Illusionist’s Stratagem without any targets if you wish to just draw a card.
If each target creature is an illegal target as Illusionist’s Stratagem resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t draw a card.
Each card that returns to the battlefield will be a new object with no connection to the creature that was exiled. It won’t be in combat or have any additional abilities it may have had when it was exiled. Any +1/+1 counters on it or Auras attached to it are removed, and any Equipment will no longer be attached.
If a creature token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and will not return to the battlefield.
If you choose two target creatures and one is an illegal target as Illusionist’s Stratagem resolves, you’ll exile the other, return it, and draw a card.