Blue Sun's Zenith

Instant

Target player draws X cards. Shuffle Blue Sun's Zenith into its owner's library.

"The Origin Query will wait. We must ensure we survive to return to it."
-Pelyus, vedalken ordinar

Fuel for the Cause

Instant

Counter target spell, then proliferate. (You choose any number of permanents and/or players with counters on them, then give each another counter of a kind already there.)

"Your ideas will be discarded and your will repurposed."

Quicksilver Geyser

Instant

Return up to two target nonland permanents to their owners' hands.

"Phyrexians are tenacious. That's not the same thing as clever."
-Tezzeret

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

Turn the Tide

Instant

Creatures your opponents control get -2/-0 until end of turn.

"Let their mindless armies come and face the might of genius."
-Varil, Neurok partisan

Go for the Throat

Instant

Destroy target nonartifact creature.

Having flesh is increasingly a liability on Mirrodin.

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."

Burn the Impure

Instant

Burn the Impure deals 3 damage to target creature. If that creature has infect, Burn the Impure deals 3 damage to that creature's controller.

Flame doesn't kneel to Phyrexia.

Crush

Instant

Destroy target noncreature artifact.

A golem's hands know no tenderness.

Into the Core

Instant

Exile two target artifacts.

"They believe they're driving us back, but we're leading them to their doom."
-Kethek, furnace stoker

Rally the Forces

Instant

Attacking creatures get +1/+0 and gain first strike until end of turn.

"Drive them back! Make their underworld into their grave!"
-Koth of the Hammer

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!"

Pistus Strike

Instant

Destroy target creature with flying. Its controller gets a poison counter.

"Even a nuisance such as the pistus fly has a purpose in our new world."
-Glissa

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

Dispense Justice

Instant

Target player sacrifices an attacking creature.

Metalcraft - That player sacrifices two attacking creatures instead if you control three or more artifacts.

The Accorders never strike first, but they always strike back.

Fulgent Distraction

Instant

Choose two target creatures. Tap those creatures, then unattach all Equipment from them.

"Channeling the white-hot power of all five suns creates a pretty good diversion."
-Yavash of the Accorders

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.

Soul Parry

Instant

Prevent all damage one or two target creatures would deal this turn.

"I was called to this world of steel, and it will be my steel that answers."
-Elspeth Tirel

Whitesun's Passage

Instant

You gain 5 life.

All over the Razor Fields, Whitesun is celebrated. Even the followers of the rebel Juryan, far from the Cave of Light, bow their heads in reverence.

Disperse

Instant

Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.

Most casualties of the power struggle between vedalken and Neurok didn't die on the field of battle; they merely disappeared.

Halt Order

Instant

Counter target artifact spell.

Draw a card.

An artificer's least favorite mind-missive may be "I regret to inform you that the funding for your project has been cut."

Steady Progress

Instant

Proliferate. (You choose any number of permanents and/or players with counters on them, then give each another counter of a kind already there.)

Draw a card.

"More of that strange oil . . . It's probably nothing."

Stoic Rebuttal

Instant

Metalcraft - Stoic Rebuttal costs less to cast if you control three or more artifacts.

Counter target spell.

Obsessed with the pursuit of knowledge above all else, vedalken can appear to be cold and emotionless.

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

Grasp of Darkness

Instant

Target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn.

On a world with five suns, night is compelled to become an aggressive force.

Instill Infection

Instant

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

Draw a card.

"The results of our ninth inoculation were the same. The specimen was, of course, euthanized before the contagion could spread."
-Vedalken research notes

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.

Shatter

Instant

Destroy target artifact.

"I am an artist, a builder, a creator . . . I create the biggest explosions around."
-Krol, goblin furnace-priest

Blunt the Assault

Instant

You gain 1 life for each creature on the battlefield. Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn.

"Much can be gained from the appearance of vulnerability."
-Ezuri, renegade leader

Carrion Call

Instant

Put two 1/1 green Insect creature tokens with infect onto the battlefield. (They deal damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

The natural order is out of order.

Slice in Twain

Instant

Destroy target artifact or enchantment.

Draw a card.

"The hypocrisy of these elves is thicker than steel-destroying ‘unnatural metal' with their own enchanted swords."
-Kara Vrist, Neurok agent

Tel-Jilad Defiance

Instant

Target creature gains protection from artifacts until end of turn.

Draw a card.

The Viridian elves had purged their culture of the trolls' traitorous influence. In times of strife, however, the ancestral memories returned.

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.)

Harmless Assault

Instant

Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn by attacking creatures.

After encasing it in a paralyzing beam of light, the angel studied the Eldrazi as a child would study a bug, curiously and without fear.

Puncturing Light

Instant

Destroy target attacking or blocking creature with power 3 or less.

"The vampires knew what was coming. I know it. And they did nothing. They deserve to feel the same agony they've caused all of us."
-Anitan, Ondu cleric

Repel the Darkness

Instant

Tap up to two target creatures.

Draw a card.

A boon to those who cannot see in the dark. A bane to those who live in it.

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

Deprive

Instant

As an additional cost to cast Deprive, return a land you control to its owner's hand.

Counter target spell.

"That would have brought shame to you as a mage. Tell you what-I'll keep your secret."
-Noyan Dar, Tazeem lullmage

Lay Bare

Instant

Counter target spell. Look at its controller's hand.

"It's good to learn from your failures, but I prefer to learn from the failures of others."
-Jace Beleren

Reality Spasm

Instant

Choose one - Tap X target permanents; or untap X target permanents.

From the moment the first Eldrazi spawn squirmed free, everything on Zendikar took on an adjusted meaning, a new slant toward or away from the waking giants.

Regress

Instant

Return target permanent to its owner's hand.

"Never look too deep, where the waters turn dark. What the sea has hidden there may not stay down forever."
-Jaby, Silundi Sea nomad

Unified Will

Instant

Counter target spell if you control more creatures than that spell's controller.

"We're glad to be of service-to be an audience to your failure."
-Maizah Shere, Tazeem lullmage

Consume the Meek

Instant

Destroy each creature with converted mana cost 3 or less. They can't be regenerated.

"Why does it destroy? It does, and to talk of reasons wastes time and breath."
-Nirthu, lone missionary

Induce Despair

Instant

As an additional cost to cast Induce Despair, reveal a creature card from your hand.

Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the revealed card's converted mana cost.

All the angel saw was her doom.

Last Kiss

Instant

Last Kiss deals 2 damage to target creature and you gain 2 life.

"Romanticize it, glamorize it, call it what you will. To me, it will always be carnal, bloody murder."
-Ayli, Kamsa cleric

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

Spawning Breath

Instant

Spawning Breath deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Put a 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature token onto the battlefield. It has "Sacrifice this creature: Add to your mana pool."

Death by death, Kozilek's lineage spread.

Staggershock

Instant

Staggershock deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

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.)

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

Living Destiny

Instant

As an additional cost to cast Living Destiny, reveal a creature card from your hand.

You gain life equal to the revealed card's converted mana cost.

"That our enemies are great only brings us greater hope."

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.

Momentous Fall

Instant

As an additional cost to cast Momentous Fall, sacrifice a creature.

You draw cards equal to the sacrificed creature's power, then you gain life equal to its toughness.

It wasn't long until the elves had developed a use for every part of the Eldrazi.

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.)

Realms Uncharted

Instant

Search your library for four land cards with different names and reveal them. An opponent chooses two of those cards. Put the chosen cards into your graveyard and the rest into your hand. Then shuffle your library.

Join the Ranks

Instant

Put two 1/1 white Soldier Ally creature tokens onto the battlefield.

Expeditionary houses are notorious for their rivalries. But when adventurers meet in the wilderness, the instinct for mutual survival outweighs petty grudges.

Refraction Trap

Instant - Trap

If an opponent cast a red instant or sorcery spell this turn, you may pay rather than pay Refraction Trap's mana cost.

Prevent the next 3 damage that a source of your choice would deal to you and/or permanents you control this turn. If damage is prevented this way, Refraction Trap deals that much damage to target creature or player.

Rest for the Weary

Instant

Target player gains 4 life.

Landfall - If you had a land enter the battlefield under your control this turn, that player gains 8 life instead.

Zendikar is a brutal taskmaster, but sometimes it offers unexpected solace.

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."

Æther Tradewinds

Instant

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

"The wind smells of misfortune. Check your knots."
-Anitan, Ondu cleric

Mysteries of the Deep

Instant

Draw two cards.

Landfall - If you had a land enter the battlefield under your control this turn, draw three cards instead.

"The Roil is destructive, but not random. It's Zendikar's way of revealing secrets."
-Ilori, merfolk falconer

Permafrost Trap

Instant - Trap

If an opponent had a green creature enter the battlefield under his or her control this turn, you may pay rather than pay Permafrost Trap's mana cost.

Tap up to two target creatures. Those creatures don't untap during their controller's next untap step.

Spell Contortion

Instant

Multikicker (You may pay an additional any number of times as you cast this spell.)

Counter target spell unless its controller pays . Draw a card for each time Spell Contortion was kicked.

Twitch

Instant

You may tap or untap target artifact, creature, or land.

Draw a card.

"The flow is diverted. Your path is clear. What are you waiting for-the cave to bid you welcome?"
-Maizah Shere, Tazeem lullmage

Nemesis Trap

Instant - Trap

If a white creature is attacking, you may pay rather than pay Nemesis Trap's mana cost.

Exile target attacking creature. Put a token that's a copy of that creature onto the battlefield. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.

Smother

Instant

Destroy target creature with converted mana cost 3 or less. It can't be regenerated.

"Before I hire new recruits, I test how long they can hold their breath. You'd be surprised how often it comes up."
-Zahr Gada, Halimar expedition leader

Tomb Hex

Instant

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

Landfall - If you had a land enter the battlefield under your control this turn, that creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn instead.

Urge to Feed

Instant

Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. You may tap any number of untapped Vampire creatures you control. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on each of those Vampires.

Bull Rush

Instant

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

"It's gone mad! Loose the chains and save what you can!"

Comet Storm

Instant

Multikicker (You may pay an additional any number of times as you cast this spell.)

Choose target creature or player, then choose another target creature or player for each time Comet Storm was kicked. Comet Storm deals X damage to each of them.

Ricochet Trap

Instant - Trap

If an opponent cast a blue spell this turn, you may pay rather than pay Ricochet Trap's mana cost.

Change the target of target spell with a single target.

In his last seconds, Remhas regretted using his most powerful spell.

Searing Blaze

Instant

Searing Blaze deals 1 damage to target player and 1 damage to target creature that player controls.

Landfall - If you had a land enter the battlefield under your control this turn, Searing Blaze deals 3 damage to that player and 3 damage to that creature instead.

Stone Idol Trap

Instant - Trap

Stone Idol Trap costs less to cast for each attacking creature.

Put a 6/12 colorless Construct artifact creature token with trample onto the battlefield. Exile it at the beginning of your next end step.

Groundswell

Instant

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

Landfall - If you had a land enter the battlefield under your control this turn, that creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn instead.

"This world will not be tamed."

Nature's Claim

Instant

Destroy target artifact or enchantment. Its controller gains 4 life.

"On this plane, the use of magic can provoke a ferocious reprisal from nature. Whoever the Eldrazi were, their relics left Zendikar forever enraged."
-Jace Beleren

Slingbow Trap

Instant - Trap

If a black creature with flying is attacking, you may pay rather than pay Slingbow Trap's mana cost.

Destroy target attacking creature with flying.

The Tajuru elves devised ways to let the forest defend itself.

Strength of the Tajuru

Instant

Multikicker (You may pay an additional any number of times as you cast this spell.)

Choose target creature, then choose another target creature for each time Strength of the Tajuru was kicked. Put X +1/+1 counters on each of them.

Arrow Volley Trap

Instant - Trap

If four or more creatures are attacking, you may pay rather than pay Arrow Volley Trap's mana cost.

Arrow Volley Trap deals 5 damage divided as you choose among any number of target attacking creatures.

Bold Defense

Instant

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.)

Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. If Bold Defense was kicked, instead creatures you control get +2/+2 and gain first strike until end of turn.

Brave the Elements

Instant

Choose a color. White creatures you control gain protection from the chosen color until end of turn. (They can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything of that color.)

"Trust me, your lost fingers and toes are nothing compared to the lost treasures of Sejiri."
-Zahr Gada, Halimar expedition leader

Narrow Escape

Instant

Return target permanent you control to its owner's hand. You gain 4 life.

"A good explorer has to be as slippery as a gomazoa, as tough as a scute bug, and luckier than a ten-fingered trapfinder."
-Arhana, Kazandu trapfinder

Pitfall Trap

Instant - Trap

If exactly one creature is attacking, you may pay rather than pay Pitfall Trap's mana cost.

Destroy target attacking creature without flying.

Each spike is poisoned-the trapmaker's idea of mercy.

Shieldmate's Blessing

Instant

Prevent the next 3 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.

"Even land dwellers may call for Emeria's grace in times of need."
-Emeria's Creed

Archive Trap

Instant - Trap

If an opponent searched his or her library this turn, you may pay rather than pay Archive Trap's mana cost.

Target opponent puts the top thirteen cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

Into the Roil

Instant

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.)

Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. If Into the Roil was kicked, draw a card.

"Roil tide! Roil tide! Tie yourselves down!"

Lethargy Trap

Instant - Trap

If three or more creatures are attacking, you may pay rather than pay Lethargy Trap's mana cost.

Attacking creatures get -3/-0 until end of turn.

Suddenly, Zurdi didn't care about treasure, glory, food . . . or the drakes circling above.

Mindbreak Trap

Instant - Trap

If an opponent cast three or more spells this turn, you may pay rather than pay Mindbreak Trap's mana cost.

Exile any number of target spells.

"Life is a maze. This is one of its dead ends."
-Noyan Dar, Tazeem lullmage

Spell Pierce

Instant

Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays .

"There's a hole in your plan."
-Noyan Dar, Tazeem lullmage

Summoner's Bane

Instant

Counter target creature spell. Put a 2/2 blue Illusion creature token onto the battlefield.

"I don't need to have the perfect plan. My foe just has to have an imperfect one."
-Jace Beleren

Trapmaker's Snare

Instant

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

"Trapmaking is an art. The trap is a corporeal riddle, a battle of wits between its creator and whatever it lures inside."

Whiplash Trap

Instant - Trap

If an opponent had two or more creatures enter the battlefield under his or her control this turn, you may pay rather than pay Whiplash Trap's mana cost.

Return two target creatures to their owners' hands.