Skip to content
← All sets and all cards

Alter Reality

Blue

1 printing listed in our catalog, from newest to oldest.

Alter Reality, Torment printing
Torment TOR · No. 22 2002-02-04

Card text

{1}{U}
Instant
Change the text of target spell or permanent by replacing all instances of one color word with another. (This effect lasts indefinitely.) Flashback {1}{U} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Keywords: Flashback
EDHREC rank #15568 Rare Not on the Reserved List
Seen in store
Nobody lists it in Quebec right now.

Run a comparison: we query the stores live, it may have arrived this morning.

Standard ∅ Not legal
Pioneer ∅ Not legal
Modern ∅ Not legal
Legacy ✓ Legal
Vintage ✓ Legal
Pauper ∅ Not legal
Commander ✓ Legal
Oathbreaker ✓ Legal
Brawl ∅ Not legal
Historic ∅ Not legal
Timeless ∅ Not legal
Alchemy ∅ Not legal
Explorer ∅ Not legal
Gladiator ∅ Not legal
Penny ∅ Not legal
Duel ✓ Legal

Official rulings

13 rulings · in English, source Scryfall

Changing the text of a spell will not allow you to change the targets of the spell because the targets were chosen when the spell was cast. The text change will (probably) cause it to be countered since the targets will be illegal.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

It can’t change a word to the same word. It must be a different word.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

Alters all occurrences of the chosen word in the text box and the type line of the given card.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

If you change the text of a spell which is to become a permanent, the permanent will retain the text change until the effect wears off.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

You choose the words to change on resolution.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

It only changes what is printed on the card (or set on a token when it was created or set by a copy effect). It will not change any effects that are on the permanent.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

Can target a card with no appropriate words on it, or even one with no words at all.

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast.

2021-03-19 · Wizards of the Coast

“Flashback [cost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying [cost] rather than paying its mana cost” and “If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack.”

2021-03-19 · Wizards of the Coast

If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it’s legal to do so before any other player can take any actions.

2021-03-19 · Wizards of the Coast

A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way.

2021-03-19 · Wizards of the Coast

To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was.

2021-03-19 · Wizards of the Coast

You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card’s type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery.

2021-03-19 · Wizards of the Coast

All printings