Silence

Instant

Your opponents can't cast spells this turn. (Spells cast before this resolves are unaffected.)

"Take a quiet moment to reflect on your sins."
-Cleph, Order of Redeemed Souls

Diminish

Instant

Target creature becomes 1/1 until end of turn.

"‘That was a narrow escape!' said Alice, a good deal frightened at the sudden change, but very glad to find herself still in existence."
-Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Stabbing Pain

Instant

Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. Tap that creature.

"You can take the fight out of nearly any creature if you know where its soft spot is."
-Guttor, flesh-warper

Incite

Instant

Target creature becomes red until end of turn and attacks this turn if able.

The veneer of rationality peeled from the mage, revealing the spite and rage beneath.

Lightning Bolt

Instant

Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to target creature or player.

Hornet Sting

Instant

Hornet Sting deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

It was only then-to his infinite sorrow-that Gork realized hornets don't make honey.

Harm's Way

Instant

The next 2 damage that a source of your choice would deal to you and/or permanents you control this turn is dealt to target creature or player instead.

Even when fate is already written, there's always time to change the names.

Righteousness

Instant

Target blocking creature gets +7/+7 until end of turn.

Sometimes the greatest strength is the strength of conviction.

Jump

Instant

Target creature gains flying until end of turn.

"Humanity has always envied the power of flight. So we took it."
-Scytha, aeromage

Windstorm

Instant

Windstorm deals X damage to each creature with flying.

"We don't like interlopers and thieves cluttering our skies."
-Dionus, elvish archdruid

Constricting Tendrils

Instant

Target creature gets -3/-0 until end of turn.

Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Priests of Bant protect their temples with traps more elaborate than any mosaic floor.

Might of Alara

Instant

Domain - Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.

The combined strength of all five planes spawned creations none had seen before.

Gridlock

Instant

Tap X target nonland permanents.

"One tiny peg pulled from a single wagon wheel, and an entire district grinds to a halt."
-Lazav

Rapid Hybridization

Instant

Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. That creature's controller puts a 3/3 green Frog Lizard creature token onto the battlefield.

"We've merged your life essence with that of several creatures at once. You're welcome."
-Speaker Trifon

Burst of Strength

Instant

Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature and untap it.

"Our fight is not about territory or revenge. It is about freedom, plain and simple."
-Ruric Thar, Ghor-Clan chieftain

Killing Glare

Instant

Destroy target creature with power X or less.

A casual glance into a dark corner may be your last.

Shielded Passage

Instant

Prevent all damage that would be dealt to target creature this turn.

Izzet delved into the depths of Ravnica's past, and Selesnya followed without fear.

Bioshift

Instant

Move any number of +1/+1 counters from target creature onto another target creature with the same controller.

"It's all right if you change your mind. There's always a chance we can rearrange parts later."
-Zija, Simic mutationist

Furious Resistance

Instant

Target blocking creature gets +3/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

"At least the Gateless rebels have ideals. Rakdos just mocks, defiles, and kills all we hold dear."
-Libuse, Boros sergeant

Beckon Apparition

Instant

Exile target card from a graveyard. Put a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield.

When a graveyard is full, the gwyllions rattle the tombs and unleash the spirits into the sky.

Weapon Surge

Instant

Target creature you control gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

Overload (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change its text by replacing all instances of "target" with "each.")

Mending Touch

Instant

Regenerate target creature.

"The gift of life must be freely given. Anything less would diminish us all."
-Arin, Selesnya healer

Mutant's Prey

Instant

Target creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it fights target creature an opponent controls. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)

Every street corner is a hunting ground, every citizen potential prey.

Blazing Salvo

Instant

Blazing Salvo deals 3 damage to target creature unless that creature's controller has Blazing Salvo deal 5 damage to him or her.

Barbarians equate courage with the ability to endure pain.

Angel's Grace

Instant

Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)

You can't lose the game this turn and your opponents can't win the game this turn. Until end of turn, damage that would reduce your life total to less than 1 reduces it to 1 instead.

Reach Through Mists

Instant - Arcane

Draw a card.

"Know one part of the name, obsession begins. Know two parts, paranoia sets in. Know three parts, madness descends. Know all, and only the kami know what will become of you."
-Lady Azami

Spell Snare

Instant

Counter target spell with converted mana cost 2.

Every culture has its unlucky numbers. In a city where you're either alone, in a crowd, or being stabbed in the back, two is the worst number of all.

Extirpate

Instant

Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)

Choose target card in a graveyard other than a basic land card. Search its owner's graveyard, hand, and library for all cards with the same name as that card and exile them. Then that player shuffles his or her library.

Brute Force

Instant

Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

Blood, bone, and sinew are magnified, as is the rage that drives them. The brain, however, remains unchanged-a little bean, swinging by a strand in a cavernous, raving head.

Pay No Heed

Instant

Prevent all damage a source of your choice would deal this turn.

"Inhale life. Exhale pain."
-Mystic elder

Quicken

Instant

The next sorcery card you cast this turn can be cast as though it had flash. (It can be cast any time you could cast an instant.)

Draw a card.

A skilled Izzet chronarch can carry out an epic vendetta between the fall of one hourglass grain and the next.

Spell Blast

Instant

Counter target spell with converted mana cost X. (For example, if that spell's mana cost is , X is 5.)

Savage Summoning

Instant

Savage Summoning can't be countered.

The next creature card you cast this turn can be cast as though it had flash. That spell can't be countered. That creature enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.

Dark Ritual

Instant

Add to your mana pool.

Swords to Plowshares

Instant

Exile target creature. Its controller gains life equal to its power.

Gods Willing

Instant

Target creature you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

Honor the gods of Theros, and they will return the favor.

Annul

Instant

Counter target artifact or enchantment spell.

The most effective way to destroy a spell is to ensure it was never cast in the first place.

Lost in a Labyrinth

Instant

Target creature gets -3/-0 until end of turn. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

Even those who leave the labyrinth never escape it, forever dreaming of their time trapped within.

Swan Song

Instant

Counter target enchantment, instant, or sorcery spell. Its controller puts a 2/2 blue Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield.

"The most enlightened mages create beauty from violence."
-Medomai the Ageless

Triton Tactics

Instant

Up to two target creatures each get +0/+3 until end of turn. Untap those creatures. At this turn's next end of combat, tap each creature that was blocked by one of those creatures this turn and it doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.

Boon of Erebos

Instant

Target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn. Regenerate it. You lose 2 life.

"Death is not a certainty. Erebos determines when a mortal's time is up."
-Iadorna, death priest of Erebos

Dark Betrayal

Instant

Destroy target black creature.

"You're just like me: ruthless, cunning, and ambitious. Obviously you're a threat."
-Basarios the Blade

Coordinated Assault

Instant

Up to two target creatures each get +1/+0 and gain first strike until end of turn.

It's hard to shout "Shields up!" with a javelin in your chest.

Spark Jolt

Instant

Spark Jolt deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

Acolytes of Purphoros hammer the world until they see the sparks of change.

Titan's Strength

Instant

Target creature gets +3/+1 until end of turn. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

Warriors' Lesson

Instant

Until end of turn, up to two target creatures you control each gain "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw a card."

"Let each challenge make you a better warrior."
-Anthousa of Setessa

Glimpse the Sun God

Instant

Tap X target creatures. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

Better to be beneath Heliod's notice than beneath his heel.

Mortal's Ardor

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by the creature also causes its controller to gain that much life.)

"Such deeds should be common fare for such as us."
-Anax, king of Akros

Retraction Helix

Instant

Until end of turn, target creature gains ": Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand."

Where the geometries of the world collapse, a master of the Æther can harvest power beyond comprehending.

Eye Gouge

Instant

Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. If it's a Cyclops, destroy it.

One chance. One throw. One perfect hit.

Aspect of Hydra

Instant

Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is your devotion to green. (Each in the mana costs of permanents you control counts toward your devotion to green.)

"Even alone I outnumber you."

Ajani's Presence

Instant

Strive - Ajani's Presence costs more to cast for each target beyond the first.

Any number of target creatures each get +1/+1 and gain indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy them.)

Aerial Formation

Instant

Strive - Aerial Formation costs more to cast for each target beyond the first.

Any number of target creatures each get +1/+1 and gain flying until end of turn.

Kiora's Dismissal

Instant

Strive - Kiora's Dismissal costs more to cast for each target beyond the first.

Return any number of target enchantments to their owners' hands.

Cruel Feeding

Instant

Strive - Cruel Feeding costs more to cast for each target beyond the first.

Any number of target creatures each get +1/+0 and gain lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by a creature with lifelink also causes its controller to gain that much life.)

Rouse the Mob

Instant

Strive - Rouse the Mob costs more to cast for each target beyond the first.

Any number of target creatures each get +2/+0 and gain trample until end of turn.

Nature's Panoply

Instant

Strive - Nature's Panoply costs more to cast for each target beyond the first.

Choose any number of target creatures. Put a +1/+1 counter on each of them.

Nature protects its own.

Valor Made Real

Instant

Target creature can block any number of creatures this turn.

"As my father taught, ‘Training will raise your shield to the blow, but courage fills the gaps the shield leaves open.'"

Stifle

Instant

Counter target activated or triggered ability. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)

"If I wanted your opinion, I'd have told you what it was."
-Pemmin, Riptide survivor

Skeletal Scrying

Instant

As an additional cost to cast Skeletal Scrying, exile X cards from your graveyard.

You draw X cards and you lose X life.

Tear (Wear/Tear)

Instant

Destroy target enchantment.

Fuse (You may cast one or both halves of this card from your hand.)

Ulcerate

Instant

Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. You lose 3 life.

"If it were merely lethal, that would be sufficient. The art, however, is in maximizing the suffering it causes."
-Liliana Vess

Crowd's Favor

Instant

Convoke (Your creatures can help cast this spell. Each creature you tap while casting this spell pays for or one mana of that creature's color.)

Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. (It deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)

Gather Courage

Instant

Convoke (Your creatures can help cast this spell. Each creature you tap while casting this spell pays for or one mana of that creature's color.)

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

Defiant Strike

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Draw a card.

"Stand where the whole battle can see you. Strike so they'll never forget."
-Anafenza, khan of the Abzan

Icy Blast

Instant

Tap X target creatures.

Ferocious - If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, those creatures don't untap during their controllers' next untap steps.

"Do not think the sand or the sun will hold back the breath of winter."

Stubborn Denial

Instant

Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays .

Ferocious - If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, counter that spell instead.

The Temur have no patience for subtlety.

Spoils of Blood

Instant

Put an X/X black Horror creature token onto the battlefield, where X is the number of creatures that died this turn.

"There are always leftovers."
-Derecht, flesh carver

Pongify

Instant

Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. That creature's controller puts a 3/3 green Ape creature token onto the battlefield.

Some spellcrafting mistakes go on to become spells of their own.

Collateral Damage

Instant

As an additional cost to cast Collateral Damage, sacrifice a creature.

Collateral Damage deals 3 damage to target creature or player.

It is much easier to create fire than to contain it.

Wild Slash

Instant

Ferocious - If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, damage can't be prevented this turn.

Wild Slash deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

Never mistake deception for cleverness.

Secure the Wastes

Instant

Put X 1/1 white Warrior creature tokens onto the battlefield.

"The Shifting Wastes provide our clan eternal protection. It is our duty to return the favor."
-Kadri, Dromoka warrior

Coat with Venom

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+2 and gains deathtouch until end of turn. (Any amount of damage it deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)

"Every Silumgar blade carries the blessing of our dragonlord."
-Xathi the Infallible

Foul-Tongue Shriek

Instant

Target opponent loses 1 life for each attacking creature you control. You gain that much life.

Foul-Tongue shamans draw their powers from a dark twisting of the Draconic language.

Rending Volley

Instant

Rending Volley can't be countered by spells or abilities.

Rending Volley deals 4 damage to target white or blue creature.

The sky offers few hiding places.

Shape the Sands

Instant

Target creature gets +0/+5 and gains reach until end of turn. (It can block creatures with flying.)

"Dragons in flight seldom expect company."
-Kadri, Dromoka warrior

Lithomancer's Focus

Instant

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Prevent all damage that would be dealt to that creature this turn by colorless sources.

"Even in the hands of amateurs, Nahiri's hedrons can harm the Eldrazi."-Ugin

Outnumber

Instant

Outnumber deals damage to target creature equal to the number of creatures you control.

Everyone who could still lift a weapon had a part in retaking Sea Gate.

Searing Light

Instant

Destroy target attacking or blocking creature with power 2 or less.

"Light can lay bare our fears. It can also make them go away."
-Nazra of the Stone Havens

Gift of Tusks

Instant

Until end of turn, target creature loses all abilities and becomes a green Elephant with base power and toughness 3/3.

It's an experience you'll never forget.

Unnatural Endurance

Instant

Devoid (This card has no color.)

Target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn. Regenerate it.

"Eldrazi don't die easy. Sometimes they don't die at all."
-Yon Basrel, Oran-Rief survivalist

Expedite

Instant

Target creature gains haste until end of turn.

Draw a card.

"I run, and thunder follows."

Fall of the Titans

Instant

Surge (You may cast this spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn.)

Fall of the Titans deals X damage to each of up to two target creatures and/or players.

As Gideon kept the brood lineages at bay, Chandra incinerated the bound Eldrazi titans.

Natural State

Instant

Destroy target artifact or enchantment with converted mana cost 3 or less.

"Killing the Eldrazi is not enough. We must erase all memory of them from this world."
-Greenweaver Mina

Vines of the Recluse

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+2 and gains reach until end of turn. Untap it. (A creature with reach can block creatures with flying.)

"The most elegant solutions are found in nature. You just have to know where to look."

Cursebreak

Instant

Destroy target enchantment. You gain 2 life.

No longer the village pariah. No longer taunted and shamed. Sigrun was finally free.

Zealous Strike

Instant

Target creature gets +2/+2 and gains first strike until end of turn.

"Cower, fiend. The night is yours no longer."

Peel from Reality

Instant

Return target creature you control and target creature you don't control to their owners' hands.

"Soulless demon, you are bound to me. Now we will both dwell in oblivion."

Second Guess

Instant

Counter target spell that's the second spell cast this turn.

"I see where you're going with that. I don't like it."
-Dierk, geistmage

Battle Hymn

Instant

Add to your mana pool for each creature you control.

"A church is just wood and walls. A congregation is the faithful praising the angels."
-Kolman, elder of Gatstaf

Dangerous Wager

Instant

Discard your hand, then draw two cards.

"C'mon friend, take a turn tossing the knucklebones. What've you got to lose?"
-Tobias, trader of Erdwal

Thunderbolt

Instant

Choose one - Thunderbolt deals 3 damage to target player; or Thunderbolt deals 4 damage to target creature with flying.

"My next aerial design will use less metal."
-Hadaken, alchemist of Nephalia

Uncanny Speed

Instant

Target creature gets +3/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.

"To survive, we must embrace the savagery we knew in our race's infancy."
-Edgar Markov

Sheltering Word

Instant

Target creature you control gains hexproof until end of turn. You gain life equal to that creature's toughness. (A creature with hexproof can't be the target of spells or abilities opponents control.)

Terrifying Presence

Instant

Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt by creatures other than target creature this turn.

Elmut had slaughtered vampires, slain werewolves, and destroyed hordes of zombies. Sadly, he never got over his fear of spiders.

Glorious Charge

Instant

Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.

"One's blade is only as sharp as one's conviction."
-Ajani Goldmane

Show of Valor

Instant

Target creature gets +2/+4 until end of turn.

"Duty, honor, and valor are either in your heart or they are not. You will never know for certain until you are tested."
-Ajani Goldmane

Downpour

Instant

Tap up to three target creatures.

"The sky holds vast oceans. They are at your fingertips if you know how to call them."
-Talrand, sky summoner

Essence Scatter

Instant

Counter target creature spell.

"What you attempt to pull from the Æther, I can spread onto the wind."
-Jace Beleren

Negate

Instant

Counter target noncreature spell.

Masters of the arcane savor a delicious irony. Their study of deep and complex arcana leads to such a simple end: the ability to say merely yes or no.