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Rules Q&A » Post: Drawing cards while casting a spell

Drawing cards while casting a spell

April 10, 2013 05:41:30 PM

Toby Hazes
Judge (Level 2 (Judge Academy))

BeNeLux

Drawing cards while casting a spell

401.5. If a spell or ability causes a card to be drawn while another spell is being cast, the drawn card is
kept face down until that spell becomes cast (see rule 601.2h). While face down, it’s considered to
have no characteristics. The same is true with relation to another ability being activated. If an effect
allows or instructs a player to reveal the card as it’s being drawn, it’s revealed after the spell
becomes cast or the ability becomes activated.

Why is the card kept face down?

For a second question, what happens if there's also a Future Sight on the battefield, and a card is drawn while casting a spell?

Edited Toby Hazes (April 10, 2013 06:31:05 PM)

April 10, 2013 05:58:33 PM

Scott Marshall
Forum Moderator
Judge (Level 4 (Judge Foundry)), Hall of Fame

USA - Southwest

Drawing cards while casting a spell

Fun historical fact!

Chromatic Sphere allowed you to draw while paying costs. It's a bit of a corner case, but it's possible to announce - for example - Wrath of God, use C-Sphere to filter mana and draw a card - and draw something you'd rather play instead of Wrath of God.

So, you say “gee, I don't have WW to pay for Wrath”, back up that illegal announcement, and instead play the spell you just drew. Shenanigans, indeed! And, yeah, someone tried this (or maybe several someones, or at least a highly visible someone), and the rules were changed to prevent it.

If you add Future Sight into the already-firmly-in-the-corner-case-scenario, well, it all just falls apart, doesn't it? Then again, if you already know what that next card is that you're going to draw, the shenanigans aren't going to happen.

Edited Scott Marshall (April 10, 2013 06:00:00 PM)