Price$2.48 – $5.87

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Narset's Reversal

Instant

LegalRank #758

Copy target instant or sorcery spell, then return it to its owner's hand. You may choose new targets for the copy.

Why is this card good?

Narset's Reversal is one of the cleanest tempo and protection tools blue has at two mana. The key insight: it doesn't just counter a spell, it copies it for you while bouncing the original back to its owner. You get the effect, they get a do-over (and have to recast it). Where it shines: - Combo/spellslinger decks that want to steal a key spell — copy an opponent's tutor, ramp, or game-winning spell and redirect it. - Counterwar mirrors — copy their counterspell and turn it back on their own counter, then bounce it. Brutal in cEDH against blue stacks. - Protection — copy your own buffed/targeted spell or redirect removal aimed at you. Best in interaction-heavy, blue control or storm shells (Urza, Kenrith, Talrand) where two mana for a flexible answer-plus-value is premium. Don't play it in low-interaction creature decks or pods that rarely cast impactful instants/sorceries — it's a dead card if nobody's slinging spells worth copying.

Related cards

Spelljack

Steals an instant/sorcery to recast, similar spell-thieving value.

Twincast

Copies any instant or sorcery, comparable spell-copy effect.

Fork

Classic spell-copy instant for instants/sorceries.

Reverberate

Copies target instant or sorcery, near-identical role.

Dualcaster Mage

Copies an instant/sorcery on cast, similar copy interaction.

Mizzix's Mastery

Recasts/copies spells, value from copying powerful instants/sorceries.

Swan Song

Cheap blue counter for instants/sorceries, similar interactive role.

Spell Swindle

Counter that nets value, comparable interactive blue spell.

Printings (7)

slcSecret Lair Countdown · #14R$5.09Buy

slcSecret Lair Countdown · #41R$51.36Buy

tdcTarkir: Dragonstorm Commander · #92R$2.48Buy

plstThe List · #WAR-62R$3.58Buy

warWar of the Spark · #62R$5.87Buy

pwarWar of the Spark Promos · #62sR$16.39Buy

pwarWar of the Spark Promos · #62pR$3.98Buy

Played by these commanders

Shiko and Narset, Unified100% of 1

Rulings (10)

2019-05-03
Narset’s Reversal can copy any instant or sorcery spell, not just one with targets.
2019-05-03
The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.
2019-05-03
The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
2019-05-03
If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. A different mode can’t be chosen.
2019-05-03
If the spell that’s copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Finale of Promise does), the copy will have the same value of X.
2019-05-03
If the spell has damage divided as it was cast, the division can’t be changed (although the targets receiving that damage still can). The same is true of spells that distribute counters.
2019-05-03
The controller of a copy can’t choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy.
2019-05-03
If you copy a spell, you control the copy. Narset’s Reversal and the copy resolve before the original spell would have resolved.
2019-05-03
If a spell is returned to its owner’s hand, it’s removed from the stack and thus will not resolve. The spell isn’t countered; it just no longer exists. This works against a spell that can’t be countered.
2019-05-03
If a copy of a spell is returned to its owner’s hand, it’s moved there, then it will cease to exist as a state-based action.

Discussion (0)

Why is this card good?

Rulings (10)

2019-05-03

Narset’s Reversal can copy any instant or sorcery spell, not just one with targets.

2019-05-03

The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.

2019-05-03

The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).

2019-05-03

If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. A different mode can’t be chosen.

2019-05-03

If the spell that’s copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Finale of Promise does), the copy will have the same value of X.

2019-05-03

If the spell has damage divided as it was cast, the division can’t be changed (although the targets receiving that damage still can). The same is true of spells that distribute counters.

2019-05-03

The controller of a copy can’t choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy.

2019-05-03

If you copy a spell, you control the copy. Narset’s Reversal and the copy resolve before the original spell would have resolved.

2019-05-03

If a spell is returned to its owner’s hand, it’s removed from the stack and thus will not resolve. The spell isn’t countered; it just no longer exists. This works against a spell that can’t be countered.

2019-05-03

If a copy of a spell is returned to its owner’s hand, it’s moved there, then it will cease to exist as a state-based action.