Card Rulings

2009-10-01

A spell or ability causes a player to search their library only if it specifically contains the word “search” in its text. For example, if a spell or ability lets a player look at the top four cards of their library and do something with one of those cards, that’s not a search.

2009-10-01

Archive Trap checks only whether an opponent searched their library. It doesn’t matter whether that player found a card during the search.

2009-10-01

Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or mana value. The only difference is the cost you actually pay.

2009-10-01

Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.

2009-10-01

If a search effect is affected by Aven Mindcensor’s ability (which causes a player to search the top four cards of their library instead), that still counts as searching that library.

2009-10-01

If the targeted opponent has fewer than thirteen cards in their library, that player puts their entire library into their graveyard.

2009-10-01

The opponent you target doesn’t have to be the opponent who searched their library.

2009-10-01

You may ignore a Trap’s alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met.