Evermind

Instant - Arcane

Illus. Matt Thompson

Intervention Pact

Instant

The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to you this turn, prevent that damage. You gain life equal to the damage prevented this way.

At the beginning of your next upkeep, pay . If you don't, you lose the game.

Pact of Negation

Instant

Counter target spell.

At the beginning of your next upkeep, pay . If you don't, you lose the game.

Those who expect betrayal at every turn are seldom disappointed.

Slaughter Pact

Instant

Destroy target nonblack creature.

At the beginning of your next upkeep, pay . If you don't, you lose the game.

Death is only the beginning of the end.

Pact of the Titan

Instant

Put a 4/4 red Giant creature token onto the battlefield.

At the beginning of your next upkeep, pay . If you don't, you lose the game.

Summoner's Pact

Instant

Search your library for a green creature card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.

At the beginning of your next upkeep, pay . If you don't, you lose the game.

Cloudshift

Instant

Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under your control.

"Even storm clouds bow to worship Avacyn."
-Elder Rimheit

Divine Deflection

Instant

Prevent the next X damage that would be dealt to you and/or permanents you control this turn. If damage is prevented this way, Divine Deflection deals that much damage to target creature or player.

Righteous Blow

Instant

Righteous Blow deals 2 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

"Monsters will no longer find safety under the mists of Morkrut!"
-Bruna, Light of Alabaster

Fleeting Distraction

Instant

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

Draw a card.

The first spell taught to young mages, it has spared the lives of many whose hands are too small to hold a sword.

Outwit

Instant

Counter target spell that targets a player.

The student asks how a spell is begun. The master ponders what ends it.

Death Wind

Instant

Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn.

Leukin stared at the smoldering angel feathers. "Run!" he screamed to his patrol. "We don't stand a chance!"

Human Frailty

Instant

Destroy target Human creature.

"I have seen a hundred mortal families rise and fall. I shall outlast a thousand more."
-Olivia Voldaren

Banners Raised

Instant

Creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn.

After the destruction of the Helvault, fearful mobs soon became fearless battalions.

Joint Assault

Instant

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. If it's paired with a creature, that creature also gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

"By my power, werewolves shall become the wolfir, our allies in combat against darkness."
-Avacyn's Cursemute Decree

Snare the Skies

Instant

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

A hunter's precision and a durkvine's strength are a potent combination.

Erase

Instant

Exile target enchantment.

"Don't trust your eyes, for mages are skilled in deception. Trust only in your faith. It will wipe everything clean."
-Lila, Erunian priest

Rain of Blades

Instant

Rain of Blades deals 1 damage to each attacking creature.

Some say they are the weapons of heroes fallen in battle, eager for one last chance at glory.

Hydrosurge

Instant

Target creature gets -5/-0 until end of turn.

"Thirsty?"
-Drunvalus, hydromancer

Unsummon

Instant

Return target creature to its owner's hand.

Not to be. That is the answer.

Vile Rebirth

Instant

Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield.

"‘Here lies our beloved Gartu, the gentlest of all men.' Ooh, I love irony."
-Jadar, ghoulcaller of Nephalia

Kindled Fury

Instant

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

"Rage is a dangerous weapon. Your enemies will try to use your anger against you. Use it against them first."
-Ajani Goldmane

Smelt

Instant

Destroy target artifact.

"Looks like that wasn't darksteel after all."
-Koth of the Hammer

Fog

Instant

Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn.

"I fear no army or beast, but only the morning fog. Our assault can survive everything else."
-Lord Hilneth

Demystify

Instant

Destroy target enchantment.

Behind every mage is a trail of shattered lies.

Stave Off

Instant

Target creature gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn. (It can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything of that color.)

Visions of Beyond

Instant

Draw a card. If a graveyard has twenty or more cards in it, draw three cards instead.

"The past is the foundation for all that exists in the present. We merely reconstruct what our ancestors have already discovered."
-Sachimir, Sage of Memories

Wring Flesh

Instant

Target creature gets -3/-1 until end of turn.

"Don't blame me. You're the one walking around with skin."
-Zul Ashur, lich lord

Shock

Instant

Shock deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

"The beauty of it is they never see it coming. Ever."
-Razzix, sparkmage

Autumn's Veil

Instant

Spells you control can't be countered by blue or black spells this turn, and creatures you control can't be the targets of blue or black spells this turn.

The rustling of leaves and a passing shadow are a dryad's only trace.

Reclaim

Instant

Put target card from your graveyard on top of your library.

The wise pay as much attention to what they throw away as to what they keep.

Faith's Shield

Instant

Target permanent you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.

Fateful hour - If you have 5 or less life, instead you and each permanent you control gain protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.

Saving Grasp

Instant

Return target creature you own to your hand.

Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Nothing's more valuable than perfect timing.

Thought Scour

Instant

Target player puts the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

Draw a card.

"As you inject the viscus vitae into the brain stem, don't let the spastic moaning bother you. It will soon become music to your ears."
-Stitcher Geralf

Tragic Slip

Instant

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

Morbid - That creature gets -13/-13 until end of turn instead if a creature died this turn.

Linger on death's door and risk being invited in.

Undying Evil

Instant

Target creature gains undying until end of turn. (When it dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)

"Is it true the evil that people do follows them into death? Let's find out."
-Liliana Vess

Hunger of the Howlpack

Instant

Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.

Morbid - Put three +1/+1 counters on that creature instead if a creature died this turn.

"Werewolves are an unholy mix of a predator's instinct and a human's hatred."
-Alena, trapper of Kessig

Purify the Grave

Instant

Exile target card from a graveyard.

Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Some priests speak in whispers of the Helvault, a silver prison of unpurged evils.

Dream Twist

Instant

Target player puts the top three cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Geistflame

Instant

Geistflame deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Innistrad pyromancers find their best raw materials in the fury of the dead.

Ranger's Guile

Instant

Target creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains hexproof until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)

In the remote corners of Kessig, protection is found in secret powers unknown to the Church of Avacyn.

Swift Justice

Instant

Until end of turn, target creature gets +1/+0 and gains first strike and lifelink.

"Having conviction is more important than being righteous."
-Aurelia

Blustersquall

Instant

Tap target creature you don't control.

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

Weather is more predictable than the Izzet.

Dispel

Instant

Counter target instant spell.

"Civilization will subsume us unless we overwhelm it instead."
-Speaker Zegana

Downsize

Instant

Target creature you don't control gets -4/-0 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.")

Mizzium Skin

Instant

Target creature you control gets +0/+1 and gains hexproof 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.")

Syncopate

Instant

Counter target spell unless its controller pays . If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard.

"Patience, mage. Killing you now would be too easy."

Cremate

Instant

Exile target card from a graveyard.

Draw a card.

"Without a body, the soul is helpless to fight the terms of our contracts."
-Somhaur, Orzhov pontiff

Dynacharge

Instant

Target creature you control gets +2/+0 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.")

Nothing evens the odds like a little lightning.

Electrickery

Instant

Electrickery deals 1 damage to target creature you don't control.

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

Street Spasm

Instant

Street Spasm deals X damage to target creature without flying you don't control.

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

Giant Growth

Instant

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

"The prohibition of unnecessary tossing of the citizenry by giants shall also extend to spontaneous giants."
-Isperia's Edict, provision VII.789.2

Path to Exile

Instant

Exile target creature. Its controller may search his or her library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle his or her library.

Brainstorm

Instant

Draw three cards, then put two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order.

"I see more than others do because I know where to look."
-Saprazzan vizier

Flusterstorm

Instant

Counter target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays .

Storm (When you cast this spell, copy it for each spell cast before it this turn. You may choose new targets for the copies.)

Shadowfeed

Instant

Exile target card from a graveyard. You gain 3 life.

"The future is a snake, devouring your life backwards through time. And when you die, believe me, it doesn't stop feeding."
-Sedris, the Traitor King

Magma Spray

Instant

Magma Spray deals 2 damage to target creature. If that creature would die this turn, exile it instead.

"Jund is a wounded world. Beware its searing blood spilling out onto the surface."
-Rakka Mar

Sacred Rites

Instant

Discard any number of cards. Creatures you control get +0/+1 until end of turn for each card discarded this way.

Divert

Instant

Change the target of target spell with a single target unless that spell's controller pays .

"What's the fun of being a wizard if you can't mess with people's heads?"

Peek

Instant

Look at target player's hand.

Draw a card.

Sometimes you have to read between the minds.

Coffin Purge

Instant

Exile target card from a graveyard.

Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Entomb

Instant

Search your library for a card and put that card into your graveyard. Then shuffle your library.

A grave is the safest place to store ill-gotten treasures.

Ghastly Demise

Instant

Destroy target nonblack creature if its toughness is less than or equal to the number of cards in your graveyard.

"Anyone can snap her fingers and yank a soul. I prefer to kill creatively."
-Braids, dementia summoner

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.

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.

Engulfing Flames

Instant

Engulfing Flames deals 1 damage to target creature. It can't be regenerated this turn.

Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Rites of Initiation

Instant

Discard any number of cards at random. Creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn for each card discarded this way.

Dispatch

Instant

Tap target creature.

Metalcraft - If you control three or more artifacts, exile that creature.

Venser wondered if it could still be called a teleportation spell if the destination is oblivion.

Marrow Shards

Instant

( can be paid with either or 2 life.)

Marrow Shards deals 1 damage to each attacking creature.

"We are a single entity. Dissenters must be sutured into the Orthodoxy."
-Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite

Mental Misstep

Instant

( can be paid with either or 2 life.)

Counter target spell with converted mana cost 1.

"Your first mistake was thinking I would let you live long enough to make a second."
-Sarnvax, Gitaxian sective

Vapor Snag

Instant

Return target creature to its owner's hand. Its controller loses 1 life.

"This creature is inadequate. Send it to the splicers for innovation."
-Malcator, Executor of Synthesis

Surgical Extraction

Instant

( can be paid with either or 2 life.)

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

Gut Shot

Instant

( can be paid with either or 2 life.)

Gut Shot deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

"Down here, we have a more pointed version of the scriptures."
-Urabrask's enforcer

Mutagenic Growth

Instant

( can be paid with either or 2 life.)

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

"Sympathy is for weaklings. Whoever survives, wins."
-Benzir, archdruid of Temple Might

Noxious Revival

Instant

( can be paid with either or 2 life.)

Put target card from a graveyard on top of its owner's library.

"Dead or alive, my creations are stronger than Jin-Gitaxias's septic minions."
-Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger

Steel Sabotage

Instant

Choose one - Counter target artifact spell; or return target artifact to its owner's hand.

"You are hopelessly obsolete, my brothers. Come and join the Great Work."
-Rhmir, Hand of the Augur

Virulent Wound

Instant

Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. When that creature dies this turn, its controller gets a poison counter.

Sadly, the extent of Gerkk's healing knowledge was "don't pick at it."

Crush

Instant

Destroy target noncreature artifact.

A golem's hands know no tenderness.

Mirran Mettle

Instant

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

Metalcraft - That creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn instead if you control three or more artifacts.

"Our land will not yield to Phyrexian corruption!"

Unnatural Predation

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.

"Domination by the strongest-that is all that matters in the Tangle now."
-Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger

Seize the Initiative

Instant

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

The time between spotting a leonin shikari and feeling its claws is just time enough to draw your last breath.

Turn Aside

Instant

Counter target spell that targets a permanent you control.

"It's not my job to ask our leaders about their experiments at the Knowledge Pool. It's my job to make sure they can continue performing them."

Twisted Image

Instant

Switch target creature's power and toughness until end of turn.

Draw a card.

"True strength is in the mind, for the body is too malleable a form."
-Politus, vedalken emisar

Vault Skyward

Instant

Target creature gains flying until end of turn. Untap it.

"The edges of the Quicksilver Sea run dark with the spread of the Mephidross. Two more aerial passes before I can be sure what I'm seeing . . ."
-Lafarius, Neurok sky agent

Tainted Strike

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains infect until end of turn. (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

"Welcome to perfection."
-Sheoldred, Whispering One

Galvanic Blast

Instant

Galvanic Blast deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

Metalcraft - Galvanic Blast deals 4 damage to that creature or player instead if you control three or more artifacts.

Mirrodin has little weather, but it certainly has lightning.

Untamed Might

Instant

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

"Beasts kill for their very survival. If you would have their strength, you must know their desperation."
-Konnos, Sylvok sage

Wing Puncture

Instant

Target creature you control deals damage equal to its power to target creature with flying.

"If I were the air, I wouldn't taunt the ground. It has the weight advantage."
-Konnos, Sylvok sage

Withstand Death

Instant

Target creature is indestructible this turn. (Lethal damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it. If its toughness is 0 or less, it's still put into its owner's graveyard.)

On Mirrodin, every conflict ends in either death or darksteel.

Emerge Unscathed

Instant

Target creature you control gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.

Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)

Smite

Instant

Destroy target blocked creature.

"The mighty rely solely on their strength. They are shocked when we do the same."
-Tars Olan, kor world-gift

Aura Finesse

Instant

Attach target Aura you control to target creature.

Draw a card.

"Although armor and auras can be similar, the brains required to use them are worlds apart."
-Zilan, Makindi auramancer

Suffer the Past

Instant

Exile X target cards from target player's graveyard. For each card exiled this way, that player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.

Ulamog's tentacles, their touch like burning ice, rummaged through his soul and stung his memories one by one.

Vendetta

Instant

Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated. You lose life equal to that creature's toughness.

"Consider my debt to your kin paid in full."
-Idrol, Guul Draz assassin

Virulent Swipe

Instant

Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains deathtouch until end of turn.

Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)

Heat Ray

Instant

Heat Ray deals X damage to target creature.

"There was clearly a scream. I'm not sure if there was a mouth."
-Sachir, Akoum Expeditionary House

Leaf Arrow

Instant

Leaf Arrow deals 3 damage to target creature with flying.

"Those who think the trees shall remain bystanders throughout this conflict shall be sorely mistaken."
-Sutina, Speaker of the Tajuru

Might of the Masses

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each creature you control.

The Joraga elves never need ask a troll to leave their territory. They merely grant it their combined strength, and it can't resist embarking on a merry rampage.

Prey's Vengeance

Instant

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

Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)

Veteran's Reflexes

Instant

Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Untap that creature.

"Assume everything wants to kill you. At the very least, assume everything wants what's in your pack."