(Originally published on 2026-04-29; last reviewed on 2026-04-29; last updated on 2026-04-29)

This article contains twenty-two rules questions featuring (mostly) cards from Magic‘s newest set Secrets of Strixhaven.

The first couple of questions focus on the set’s new and returning mechanics, similar to the update quizzes of several judge organizations; the rest focus on individual cards.

I recommend reading up on the Comprehensive Rules (CR) changes for this set before taking the quiz; the diff found on Academy Ruins does nicely.

Quiz style

This quiz follows the style most judge organizations use for rules questions on their update and certification tests.

• Each question lists multiple possible answers, usually five.
• For most questions, only one of those answers is correct.
• If more than one answer can be correct, the question will end with the phrase “Select all that apply.”
  • The number of correct answers can vary from one to all of them.
  • For the final score, such a question is all-or-nothing: selecting only some of the correct answers, but not all of them, or selecting an incorrect answer in addition to the correct ones, means that the question is failed.
• The name of the active player always starts with an “A” and the name of the nonactive player always starts with an “N.” In scenarios describing Two-Headed Giant games, the names of the two players on the active team start with an “A” and the names of the two players on the nonactive team start with an “N.”
• Each player has all the resources needed to perform the described actions, such as mana, cards in hand, or permanents to sacrifice. Usually, those resources are not described in detail unless they matter for the scenario.
• The scenario description contains all the relevant information about the game state. If something is not mentioned, then it’s not part of the game state or it doesn’t influence the correct answer.
• All game actions taken by the players are legal. The only exception are questions where one or more of the potential answers claim the opposite; usually, those answers start with “This can’t happen as described.” In such cases, a game action may have been illegal. Determining whether that’s the case is key to that question.
• Each question provides Oracle text for all cards mentioned in the scenario. You can click on the text to show or hide card images. Italicized card names in the scenario description should also have a tooltip displaying the card’s rules text for quick reference.

Judge organizations differ in what resources they allow for different kinds of tests. Update quizzes are generally open-internet, while certification tests are open-book or closed-book. Pick whatever works best for you.

The questions

Question 1

Astrid controls Virulent Emissary and her life total has not changed yet this turn. Poisoner’s Apprentice enters the battlefield under Astrid’s control and she puts both enters-the-battlefield abilities onto the stack, with Virulent Emissary’s on top. Napoleon responds with Hazel’s Nocturne. Which answer best describes what happens when the ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice resolves?

1. If Napoleon responds at any time before the ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice resolves, that ability does not resolve.
2. If Napoleon responds before Virulent Emissary’s ability resolves, the ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice resolves and the target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn. If he responds after Virulent Emissary’s ability resolves and before the ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice resolves, that ability resolves but the target creature does not get -4/-4 until end of turn.
3. The ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice resolves and the target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn.
4. This can’t happen as described. The ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice does not trigger when it enters the battlefield.
5. If Napoleon responds at any time before the ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice resolves, that ability resolves but the target creature does not get -4/-4 until end of turn.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer C is correct.

The “if” clause in the ability of Poisoner’s Apprentice does not appear directly after the trigger event, so it is not an intervening “if”: the ability triggers when Poisoner’s Apprentice enters the battlefield, and the “if” clause is only checked when the ability resolves [CR 603.4]. If Astrid gains life between the ability triggering and resolving, the condition is fulfilled and the target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn.

The “if” clause checks whether Astrid gained life this turn, not whether her life total is higher than it was at the start of the turn. As such, it does not matter if the amount of life Astrid loses due to the effect of Hazel’s Nocturne is greater than the amount of life she gains due to the effect of Virulent Emissary’s ability.

Question 2

During his main phase, Abel resolves Living End and puts Cheerful Osteomancer onto the battlefield. Nina puts Biblioplex Tomekeeper onto the battlefield. Which answer best describes what happens, assuming that Nina targets Cheerful Osteomancer with the second mode of Biblioplex Tomekeeper’s ability?

1. Abel puts Cheerful Osteomancer’s prepare triggered ability onto the stack, then Nina puts Biblioplex Tomekeeper’s ability onto the stack. The prepare triggered ability resolves last, Cheerful Osteomancer becomes prepared, and Abel creates a copy of Raise Dead, which he may cast immediately after.
2. Abel creates a copy of Raise Dead simultaneously with Cheerful Osteomancer entering the battlefield, and has one opportunity to cast it before Nina puts Biblioplex Tomekeeper’s ability onto the stack.
3. Cheerful Osteomancer enters the battlefield prepared. Abel puts its prepare triggered ability onto the stack, then Nina puts Biblioplex Tomekeeper’s ability onto the stack. When the latter resolves, Cheerful Osteomancer becomes unprepared. Then the prepare triggered ability resolves and Abel does not create a copy of Raise Dead.
4. Abel creates a copy of Raise Dead simultaneously with Cheerful Osteomancer entering the battlefield, but he cannot cast it before Biblioplex Tomekeeper’s ability resolves.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer D is correct.

Cheerful Osteomancer’s ability creates a replacement effect that causes Cheerful Osteomancer to become prepared at the same time it enters the battlefield [CR 614.1d]. If a permanent becomes prepared or enters the battlefield prepared, the copy of its prepare spell is created at the same time [CR 722.3c]. In this scenario, Abel creates the copy of Raise Dead simultaneously with Cheerful Osteomancer entering the battlefield.

Putting the two creature cards onto the battlefield also causes Biblioplex Tomekeeper’s ability to trigger, which is put onto the stack the next time a player would receive priority [CR 603.3].

Before that happens, Living End is put into Abel’s graveyard and the stack is empty [CR 608.2n]. However, Abel cannot cast the copy of Raise Dead at this time, because he has not received priority yet. Before he receives priority, Nina puts the triggered ability onto the stack and targets Cheerful Osteomancer; then Abel receives priority [CR 117.5]. Since the triggered ability is now on the stack, he cannot cast the copy of Raise Dead.

When the triggered ability resolves, Cheerful Osteomancer becomes unprepared. After the ability has resolved, state-based actions are performed and the copy of Raise Dead ceases to exist since Cheerful Osteomancer is no longer prepared [CR 117.5][CR 722.3c]. Then, Abel receives priority. The copy no longer exists, so he cannot cast it.

Question 3

Alex controls Aziza, Mage Tower Captain and two Spirit creature tokens. They cast Improvisation Capstone and tap their three creatures when Aziza’s ability resolves. When the copy resolves, Alex exiles and casts Rearing Embermare. When Improvisation Capstone resolves, Alex exiles Joined Researchers, Lindblum, Industrial Regency, and Gwen Stacy (a modal double-faced card whose back face is Ghost-Spider). Which answer best describes Alex’s options for casting spells from among those cards, and how many copies of Improvisation Capstone they create during each of their future precombat main phases?

1. Alex may cast Joined Researchers, Siege Siege, and Gwen Stacy. During each of their future precombat main phases, Alex creates one copy.
2. Alex may cast Joined Researchers, Siege Siege, and either Gwen Stacy or Ghost-Spider. During each of their future precombat main phases, Alex creates two copies.
3. Alex may cast Joined Researchers as either Joined Researchers or Secret Rendezvous, Siege Siege, and either Gwen Stacy or Ghost-Spider. During each of their future precombat main phases, Alex creates one copy.
4. Alex may cast Joined Researchers, Siege Siege, and either Gwen Stacy or Ghost-Spider. During each of their future precombat main phases, Alex creates one copy.
5. Alex may cast Joined Researchers and Gwen Stacy, or they may cast Siege Siege. During each of their future precombat main phases, Alex creates one copy.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer D is correct.

Improvisation Capstone instructs Alex to exile cards until they have exiled cards with a total mana value of 4 or greater. The next instruction simply says to cast spells from among those cards, with no restriction regarding their individual or total mana value. In this scenario, Alex may cast spells with a total mana value greater than 4.

The rules for preparation cards do not allow players to cast a preparation card with its alternative characteristics [CR 722.3]. Therefore, Alex may cast Joined Researchers, but not Secret Rendezvous.

When a player is allowed to cast an adventurer card, they may cast it with its normal characteristics or with its Adventure characteristics [CR 715.3]. Only the chosen characteristics are evaluated to determine the spell’s legality, so Alex may cast Siege Siege.

When a player is allowed to cast a modal double-faced card, they may cast either half [CR 712.11b]. In this scenario, Alex may cast Gwen Stacy or Ghost-Spider.

The paradigm ability sets up the delayed triggered ability only the first time Alex resolves a spell named Improvisation Capstone [CR 702.192a]. It does not matter if that spell is represented by a card or not, if that spell was cast or created on the stack, and it does not matter that another spell with the same name is on the stack at that time. When the copy of Improvisation Capstone resolves, Alex sets up the delayed triggered ability; when Improvisation Capstone resolves, no delayed triggered ability is set up.

Similarly, the exiled spell does not have to remain in exile. The copy of Improvisation Capstone ceases to exist the next time state-based actions are performed, but the delayed triggered ability is unaffected by this [CR 704.5e]. It continues to trigger and creates exactly one copy each time it resolves.

Question 4

Anna has one card, Goatnap, in her hand. Nelson controls Joined Researchers, which is not prepared, and he has three cards in his hand. Anna casts Goatnap, targeting Joined Researchers. During Anna’s end step, Joined Researchers becomes prepared and Anna creates a copy of Secret Rendezvous in exile. Which answer best describes the copy of Secret Rendezvous and who may cast it after Anna’s turn ends?

1. If Anna gains control of Joined Researchers again, she may cast the copy while she controls Joined Researchers. Nelson may not cast the copy, even while he controls Joined Researchers.
2. As long as Joined Researchers remains on the battlefield, Anna may cast the copy and Nelson may not cast the copy. It does not matter who controls Joined Researchers.
3. Nelson may cast the copy as long as he controls Joined Researchers. If Anna gains control of Joined Researchers again, she may cast the copy while she controls Joined Researchers.
4. This can’t happen as described. Anna does not own Joined Researchers, so she cannot create copies of its prepare spell. There is no copy of Secret Rendezvous.
5. As long as Joined Researchers remains on the battlefield, Nelson may cast the copy and Anna may not cast the copy. It does not matter who controls Joined Researchers.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer C is correct.

As a permanent becomes prepared, its controller creates a copy of its prepare spell in exile; there is no requirement that the player also has to be the permanent’s owner [CR 722.3c]. In this scenario, Anna creates a copy of Secret Rendezvous as Joined Researchers becomes prepared.

The permission to cast the copy from exile is tied to control over the prepared permanent; the player who controls a prepared permanent at any given moment may cast the copy from exile [CR 722.3c]. In this scenario, Nelson controls Joined Researchers after Anna’s turn ends, so only he may cast the copy of Secret Rendezvous. If Anna gains control of Joined Researchers again at a later time, she may cast the copy as long as she controls the creature.

Question 5

Austin controls Hungry Graffalon and Deluge Virtuoso. Natalie controls Inkshape Demonstrator. Austin casts Chelonian Tackle, targeting Deluge Virtuoso and Inkshape Demonstrator. Which answer best describes what happens, assuming Austin pays {2} for Inkshape Demonstrator’s ward ability?

1. Austin does not put a +1/+1 counter on Hungry Graffalon. Deluge Virtuoso gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2. Austin does not put a +1/+1 counter on Hungry Graffalon. Deluge Virtuoso gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
3. Depending on the order Austin chooses for all three abilities, he may or may not put a +1/+1 counter on Hungry Graffalon and Deluge Virtuoso gets +1/+1 or +2/+2 until end of turn.
4. Austin puts a +1/+1 counter on Hungry Graffalon. Deluge Virtuoso gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
5. Austin puts a +1/+1 counter on Hungry Graffalon. Deluge Virtuoso gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

If abilities controlled by different players trigger at the same time, they are put onto the stack in APNAP order [CR 603.3b]. In this scenario, Inkshape Demonstrator’s ward ability is put onto the stack last and resolves first; neither player has a choice in this matter.

Chelonian Tackle costs {2}{G} to cast, so Austin spends only three mana to cast that spell. The {2} paid when Inkshape Demonstrator’s ward ability resolves are paid for that ability, not for the spell or ability that caused the ward ability to trigger.

Hungry Graffalon’s increment ability has an intervening “if” and does not trigger at all [CR 702.191a][CR 603.4]. Deluge Virtuoso’s ability triggers and grants it +1/+1 until end of turn.

Question 6

Amelia controls Harmonized Trio, which is prepared. She casts the copy of Brainstorm from exile and Nolan responds with Syncopate. Amelia responds with Harmonized Trio’s activated ability; when it resolves, Harmonized Trio becomes prepared again and Amelia creates another copy of Brainstorm in exile. Which answer best describes what happens with the copy on the stack if Amelia does not pay {X} while Syncopate resolves?

1. The copy of Brainstorm is exiled and continues to exist for as long as Harmonized Trio remains prepared. Amelia may cast either copy of Brainstorm; casting one copy causes Harmonized Trio to become unprepared and the other copy ceases to exist before Amelia can cast it.
2. The copy of Brainstorm is exiled and ceases to exist the next time state-based actions are performed. Harmonized Trio remains prepared.
3. The copy of Brainstorm ceases to exist as it leaves the stack.
4. The copy of Brainstorm is exiled and continues to exist for as long as Harmonized Trio remains prepared. Amelia may cast either copy of Brainstorm; Harmonized Trio remains prepared for as long as a copy remains in exile, so Amelia can cast both copies.
5. The copy of Brainstorm is exiled and continues to exist for as long as Harmonized Trio remains prepared. Amelia may not cast that copy anymore.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

When Amelia casts the copy of Brainstorm, it moves from exile to the stack and becomes a new object with no connection to its previous existence [CR 400.7]. As such, the exception that stops state-based actions from affecting copies of prepare spells in exile no longer applies to it [CR 722.3c]. When Nolan counters the copy, the copy is exiled. The next time state-based actions are performed, that copy ceases to exist [CR 704.5e].

Question 7

Alan controls Melancholic Poet and Natasha controls a 1/1 Pest creature token. Alan casts Dissection Practice, targeting Natasha, Melancholic Poet, and the Pest creature token. Which of the following statements are correct? Select all that apply.

1. If Natasha responds with Brush Off, she does not lose any life.
2. If Natasha responds with Brush Off, she loses a total of 1 life.
3. If Natasha responds with Banishing Betrayal, targeting Melancholic Poet, she loses a total of 1 life.
4. If Natasha responds with Banishing Betrayal, targeting Melancholic Poet, she does not lose any life.
5. If Natasha responds with Banishing Betrayal, targeting Melancholic Poet, she loses a total of 2 life.
6. If Natasha responds with Brush Off, she loses a total of 2 life.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answers B and E are correct.

The trigger event of Melancholic Poet’s repartee ability is Alan casting a spell that meets certain criteria; as such, the ability triggers only once for any given spell (if at all). It does not matter how many creatures the spell targets. Since the requirement of targeting a creature is part of the trigger event and not an (intervening) “if” clause, it does not matter if the spell’s targets are changed or become illegal, or if the spell is countered.

In this scenario, Melancholic Poet’s ability triggers once when Alan casts Dissection Practice. Once it has triggered, an ability is independent from its source [CR 113.7a]. In this scenario, if Melancholic Poet leaves the battlefield before its ability resolves, that ability still resolves and Natasha loses 1 life.

If Dissection Practice resolves, Natasha loses another 1 life from its first effect, for a total of 2 life. If Natasha counters Dissection Practice, none of its effects happen, so Natasha loses a total of 1 life.

Question 8

Adeline controls Nita, Forum Conciliator and Pigment Wrangler; earlier this turn, she cast and resolved a copy of Striking Palette. Adeline activates and resolves Nita’s ability and exiles Snarl Song from Nestor’s graveyard. Then, Adeline casts Snarl Song and spends {W}{W}{B}{B}{B}{R} to cast it. Which answer best describes the value of X for Snarl Song and the value of X for its copy?

1. Adeline’s choices while casting Snarl Song determine the value of X; the value can be between 0 and 5. The value of X for the copy is identical to that of Snarl Song.
2. The value of X for Snarl Song is 5. The value of X for its copy is 0.
3. The value of X for Snarl Song is 3. The value of X for its copy is 3.
4. The value of X for Snarl Song is 3. The value of X for its copy is 0.
5. Adeline’s choices while casting Snarl Song determine the value of X; the value can be between 0 and 5. The value of X for the copy is 0.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer D is correct.

The effect of Nita’s ability allows Adeline to pay the total cost of Snarl Song with mana of any type, but it does not change the type or color of that mana [CR 609.4b]. Therefore, Adeline spends three colors of mana to cast Snarl Song and the value of X is 3.

A copy effect copies a spell’s characteristic values and any decisions made during the spell’s proposal; if any objects were involved in paying the spell’s cost, the copy also refers to those objects [CR 707.10]. Mana spent to pay a spell’s cost is none of these three, so the copy of Snarl Song does not copy how many colors of mana were spent to cast the original. In addition, the copy itself is not cast, so the value of X for the copy is 0.

Question 9

Alex controls Encouraging Aviator, which is prepared, and Emeritus of Ideation, which is not. They cast Fleeting Reflection and have Emeritus of Ideation become a copy of Encouraging Aviator. Alex then attacks with Emeritus of Ideation. Which answer best describes what happens when the triggered ability resolves and when the copy effect ends?

1. Emeritus of Ideation became prepared when the copy effect started to apply, and Alex created a copy of Jump in exile at that time; nothing happens when the triggered ability resolves. When the copy effect ends, Emeritus of Ideation becomes unprepared and the copy of Jump ceases to exist.
2. Emeritus of Ideation becomes prepared and Alex creates a copy of Jump in exile. When the copy effect ends, Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared and nothing about the copy changes. Alex may cast the copy of Jump as long as Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared.
3. Emeritus of Ideation becomes prepared and Alex creates a copy of Jump in exile. When the copy effect ends, Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared and the characteristic values of the copy change to those of Ancestral Recall. Alex may cast the copy of Ancestral Recall as long as Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared.
4. Emeritus of Ideation becomes prepared and Alex creates a copy of Ancestral Recall in exile. When the copy effect ends, Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared and nothing about the copy changes. Alex may cast the copy of Ancestral Recall as long as Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared.
5. Emeritus of Ideation becomes prepared and Alex creates a copy of Jump in exile. When the copy effect ends, Emeritus of Ideation becomes unprepared and the copy ceases to exist.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

Copy effects copy only the characteristic values of the original object [CR 707.2]; being prepared is a designation and not a characteristic, so Fleeting Reflection’s copy effect does not cause Emeritus of Ideation to become prepared [CR 722.3a]. Emeritus of Ideation only becomes prepared once the triggered ability resolves.

A preparation card’s prepare spell is an alternative set of characteristics, whose existence and values are copiable, so the copy effect copies both the permanent’s normal characteristic values and the prepare spell’s values [CR 722.2b]. In this scenario, Emeritus of Ideation becomes a copy of Encouraging Aviator with Jump as its prepare spell. Alex creates a copy of Jump when Emeritus of Ideation becomes prepared.

A permanent that has become prepared remains prepared until it leaves the battlefield or until it specifically becomes unprepared [CR 722.3b]. In this scenario, Emeritus of Ideation remains prepared when the copy effect ends; the copy of the prepare spell remains in exile and Alex may cast it. Once created, that copy is a distinct object and has no connection to the permanent’s alternative set of characteristics. As such, the copy in exile remains a copy of Jump; its characteristic values do not change.

Question 10

In a multiplayer game, Adrian casts Reenact the Crime, targeting Decorum Dissertation in Naomi’s graveyard. When Reenact the Crime resolves, Adrian exiles and copies Decorum Dissertation and casts the copy, which resolves. Which answer best describes how many copies of Decorum Dissertation Adrian creates during each of his future precombat main phases?

1. Adrian creates one copy as long as Naomi remains in the game. If she leaves the game, Adrian creates no copies from that point forward.
2. Adrian creates two copies as long as Naomi remains in the game. If she leaves the game, Adrian creates one copy from that point forward.
3. Adrian creates two copies.
4. Adrian does not create any copies.
5. Adrian creates one copy.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer E is correct.

In order for the paradigm ability to set up the delayed triggered ability, the spell has to be the first with that name to resolve under Adrian’s control [CR 702.192a]. The spell does not have to be represented by a card. In this scenario, Adrian creates the delayed triggered ability when he resolves the copy of Decorum Dissertation.

The copy is exiled and ceases to exist the next time state-based actions are performed [CR 704.5e]. The delayed triggered ability is unaffected by this; it continues to trigger and creates exactly one copy each time it resolves [CR 702.192a]. Likewise, the fate of the original Decorum Dissertation is irrelevant: if Naomi leaves the game, her Decorum Dissertation also leaves the game, but the delayed triggered ability continues to create one copy each precombat main phase.

Question 11

Abigaile controls Emeritus of Ideation and Pestbrood Sloth. Norman controls High Fae Trickster and two Inkling creature tokens. Norman casts Social Snub. Assuming that he chooses to copy the spell when its triggered ability resolves, and that Abigaile sacrifices Pestbrood Sloth at the earliest possible moment, which answer best describes what happens?

1. Norman chooses two of his creatures to sacrifice, then Abigaile chooses both of her creatures. Then those four creatures are sacrificed. Afterward, Pestbrood Sloth’s ability resolves and Abigaile creates two Pest creature tokens.
2. Abigaile chooses both of her creatures to sacrifice, then Norman chooses two of his creatures. Then those four creatures are sacrificed. Afterward, Pestbrood Sloth’s ability resolves and Abigaile creates two Pest creature tokens.
3. Abigaile chooses Pestbrood Sloth to sacrifice, then Norman chooses one of his creatures. Then those two creatures are sacrificed. Pestbrood Sloth’s ability resolves next and Abigaile creates two Pest creature tokens. Then, Abigaile chooses another creature to sacrifice, choosing from among all creatures she controls at that time, then Norman does the same. Then those two creatures are sacrificed.
4. Norman chooses one creature to sacrifice, then Abigaile chooses Pestbrood Sloth. Then those two creatures are sacrificed. Pestbrood Sloth’s ability resolves next and Abigaile creates two Pest creature tokens. Then, Norman chooses another creature to sacrifice, then Abigaile does the same, choosing from among all creatures she controls at that time. Then those two creatures are sacrificed.
5. Abigaile chooses Pestbrood Sloth to sacrifice, then Norman chooses one of his creatures. Then those two creatures are sacrificed. Then, Abigaile chooses Emeritus of Ideation to sacrifice, then Norman chooses another of his creatures. Then those two creatures are sacrificed. Afterward, Pestbrood Sloth’s ability resolves and Abigaile creates two Pest creature tokens.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer C is correct.

Social Snub’s ability resolves before Social Snub itself [CR 601.2a+i][CR 405.2]. When Norman copies Social Snub, he puts a copy of it onto the stack, on top of the original [CR 707.10]. The copy resolves first [CR 405.5].

After it resolves, Abigaile gets priority, so any abilities that triggered during the copy’s resolution are put onto the stack and resolve before the original Social Snub resolves [CR 117.3b][CR 117.5]. In this scenario, if Abigaile sacrifices Pestbrood Sloth while the copy resolves, its ability resolves before the original Social Snub and Abigaile controls two Pest creature tokens as Social Snub resolves.

While resolving Social Snub or its copy, each player is instructed to sacrifice a creature. If multiple players make choices and/or take actions at the same time, first all choices are made in APNAP order, then the resulting actions happen simultaneously [CR 101.4]. In this case, each player, starting with Abigaile, chooses a creature they control, then the chosen creatures are sacrificed simultaneously. Since these choices are only made when Social Snub resolves, Abigaile can choose from among all creatures she controls at that moment [CR 608.2d].

Question 12

Alex controls Spirit Mascot and Rubble Rouser, and they have Wilt in the Heat in their graveyard. No cards have left their graveyard so far this turn. Alex casts Flashback and targets Wilt in the Heat. After it resolves, they cast Wilt in the Heat using its flashback ability. Which answer best describes Wilt in the Heat’s total cost and how often Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers during the casting process?

1. Wilt in the Heat costs {R}{W} to cast and Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers twice if Alex activates Rubble Rouser’s mana ability during the casting process. If they don’t, Wilt in the Heat costs {2}{R}{W} to cast and Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers only once.
2. Wilt in the Heat costs {2}{R}{W} to cast. Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers twice if Alex activates Rubble Rouser’s mana ability during the casting process, or just once if they don’t.
3. Wilt in the Heat costs {R}{W} to cast if Alex activates Rubble Rouser’s mana ability during the casting process; if they don’t, Wilt in the Heat costs {2}{R}{W} to cast. Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers only once.
4. Wilt in the Heat costs {R}{W} to cast. Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers twice if Alex activates Rubble Rouser’s mana ability during the casting process, or just once if they don’t.
5. Wilt in the Heat costs {2}{R}{W} to cast. Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers only once.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer D is correct.

As the first step of casting Wilt in the Heat, Alex moves the card onto the stack [CR 601.2a]. This causes Spirit Mascot’s ability to trigger. The next relevant step is determining the spell’s total cost [CR 601.2f]. Since Wilt in the Heat has already left Alex’s graveyard, the total cost is reduced by {2}.

Once the total cost has been determined, Alex may activate mana abilities [CR 601.2g]. Rubble Rouser’s activated ability is a mana ability, since the word “target” in its text is part of the reflexive triggered ability rather than the ability proper [CR 603.12]; therefore, Alex may activate that ability during the casting process. If they do, Spirit Mascot’s ability triggers a second time.

Question 13

Arnold controls Pigment Wrangler, which is prepared, and two Forests. He casts and resolves the copy of Striking Palette. Then Arnold casts Planar Engineering and puts the delayed triggered ability created by Striking Palette onto the stack. Nancy responds with Brush Off, targeting Planar Engineering. Which answer best describes what happens after Brush Off resolves and Nancy counters Planar Engineering?

1. The delayed triggered ability resolves, but Arnold does not create a copy of Planar Engineering.
2. The delayed triggered ability resolves and Arnold creates a copy of Planar Engineering. When that copy resolves, Arnold sacrifices the two Forests, then he searches his library for four basic land cards and puts them onto the battlefield tapped.
3. The delayed triggered ability resolves and Arnold creates a copy of Planar Engineering. When that copy resolves, Arnold does not sacrifice any lands, then he searches his library for four basic land cards and puts them onto the battlefield tapped.
4. The delayed triggered ability resolves and Arnold creates a copy of Planar Engineering. When that copy resolves, Arnold does not sacrifice any lands and does not search his library.
5. The delayed triggered ability resolves and Arnold creates a copy of Planar Engineering, sacrificing the two Forests in the process. When that copy resolves, Arnold searches his library for four basic land cards and puts them onto the battlefield tapped.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

The delayed triggered ability does not target Planar Engineering, so it resolves even if Planar Engineering is no longer on the stack [CR 115.10]. Likewise, it always creates a copy, using Planar Engineering’s last known information if the spell does not exist anymore [CR 608.2h].

Sacrificing two lands is an effect of Planar Engineering, not an additional cost. Arnold does not sacrifice any lands when he casts or copies Planar Engineering. When the copy resolves, Arnold sacrifices the two Forests and then searches his library for four basic land cards.

Question 14

Andrea controls Prismari, the Inspiration and Nate controls Snooping Page. Andrea casts Burrog Barrage, targeting Prismari and Snooping Page, and Nate responds with Masterful Flourish, targeting Snooping Page. Andrea responds to that with Brush Off and targets Masterful Flourish. Assuming that Andrea does not change the targets of any copies she creates, what is Prismari’s power once everything has resolved?

1. Prismari’s power is 10.
2. Prismari’s power is 7.
3. Prismari’s power is 8.
4. Prismari’s power is 11.
5. Prismari’s power is 9.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer C is correct.

The storm triggered ability counts only spells cast before the spell with storm; spells cast in response to the triggered ability are ignored [CR 702.40]. In this scenario, Andrea does not copy Burrog Barrage when its storm triggered ability resolves.

When Burrog Barrage resolves, it checks whether Andrea cast another instant or sorcery spell this turn. That check does not state that it looks only at spells cast before Burrog Barrage, so a spell cast in response fulfills the condition [CR 608.2h]. Andrea cast Brush Off, so Burrog Barrage grants Prismari +1/+0 until end of turn.

Question 15

Alex controls Silverquill, the Disputant and Witherbloom, the Balancer. They cast Antiquities on the Loose from their graveyard, using its flashback ability, and they choose to sacrifice Witherbloom for the casualty cost. Which of the following statements are correct? Select all that apply.

1. The copy of Antiquities on the Loose resolves first.
2. Antiquities on the Loose costs {2}{W}{W} to cast.
3. When the copy of Antiquities on the Loose resolves, Alex creates two Spirit creature tokens, but does not put +1/+1 counters on their Spirits.
4. Depending on the order in which Alex pays the spell’s cost, Antiquities on the Loose costs {2}{W}{W} or {4}{W}{W} to cast.
5. Antiquities on the Loose costs {4}{W}{W} to cast.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answers A, B, and C are correct.

While casting Antiquities on the Loose, Alex first chooses the additional costs they intend to pay, such as casualty [CR 601.2b][CR 702.153a]. Then, Alex determines the spell’s total cost [CR 601.2f]. At this point, Witherbloom is still on the battlefield, so Antiquities on the Loose has affinity for creatures and the total cost is reduced to {2}{W}{W}. After this determination, the total cost is locked in and does not change anymore. Next, Alex pays the total cost [CR 601.2h]. The spell becomes cast and the casualty triggered ability triggers [CR 601.2i].

The triggered ability resolves before Antiquities on the Loose and creates a copy of it, which also resolves before the original spell [CR 405.2+5]. The copy was not cast, so Alex does not put +1/+1 counters on their Spirits when it resolves [CR 707.10]. The original Antiquities on the Loose resolves last: Alex creates two more Spirit creature tokens, then puts a +1/+1 counter on each of the four Spirits.

Question 16

Ambrose controls Quest for Renewal and Nicole controls Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider. Ambrose casts Slumbering Trudge with X = 2. Which answer best describes what happens as Slumbering Trudge resolves?

1. Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield tapped with no stun counters on it. Quest for Renewal’s ability triggers.
2. Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield tapped with a stun counter on it. Quest for Renewal’s ability does not trigger.
3. Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield tapped with no stun counters on it. Quest for Renewal’s ability does not trigger.
4. Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield untapped with no stun counters on it. Quest for Renewal’s ability does not trigger.
5. Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield untapped with a stun counter on it. Ambrose taps it. Quest for Renewal’s ability triggers.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer C is correct.

Ambrose puts Slumbering Trudge onto the battlefield when it resolves [CR 608.3a]. The replacement effect of Slumbering Trudge’s ability modifies this event so that Ambrose also puts 3 minus 2 = 1 stun counter on it, and since X is 2 or less, Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield tapped [CR 122.6a].

The replacement effect of Vorinclex’s ability modifies this event further: now, Ambrose puts no stun counters on Slumbering Trudge as it enters the battlefield. It still enters the battlefield tapped, since this part has already been applied to the upcoming event and it does not depend on stun counters being put on Slumbering Trudge.

An ability that triggers when a permanent becomes tapped triggers only if a permanent goes from being untapped to being tapped [CR 603.2e]. Slumbering Trudge enters the battlefield tapped, so it was never untapped. Quest for Renewal’s ability does not trigger.

Question 17

Alice controls two Ambitious Augmenters, one of which has two stun counters on it. As soon as her postcombat main phase begins, Alice casts Mage Tower Referee and Ned responds with Locust Spray, targeting the Ambitious Augmenter that has no counters on it. Alice responds to Locust Spray with Duty Beyond Death and sacrifices the Ambitious Augmenter with the stun counters on it. Once everything has resolved, how many counters have both players put on creatures during this main phase?

1. Two counters.
2. Four counters.
3. Six counters.
4. Seven counters.
5. Five counters.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

Once Alice has completed casting Mage Tower Referee, the increment abilities of both Ambitious Augmenters trigger and Alice puts them onto the stack in any order. Next, Ned puts Locust Spray onto the stack. Then Alice puts Duty Beyond Death onto the stack. The sacrificed Ambitious Augmenter is not on the battlefield anymore when Duty Beyond Death becomes cast, so its last ability triggers, but not its increment ability [CR 601.2i]; the remaining Ambitious Augmenter is 1/1 at this point, so its increment ability triggers a second time. Alice puts these two abilities onto the stack in any order.

When the increment ability resolves, Alice puts a +1/+1 counter on the surviving Ambitious Augmenter (1 counter). When the ability of the dead Ambitious Augmenter resolves, Alice creates a 0/0 Fractal creature token and puts two stun counters on it (3 counters total). The token is put into Alice’s graveyard the next time state-based actions are performed [CR 704.5f]. Next, Duty Beyond Death resolves and puts a second +1/+1 counter on the surviving Ambitious Augmenter (4 counters total).

Next, Locust Spray resolves. It simply gives the target creature -1/-1 until end of turn; there are no counters involved. The two remaining increment abilities are next. One Ambitious Augmenter is not on the battlefield anymore, so Alice cannot put a counter on it. The other Ambitious Augmenter is currently 2/2, so its increment ability does not resolve and Alice puts no +1/+1 counter on it. Finally, Mage Tower Referee resolves.

In total, four counters are put on Alice’s creatures.

Question 18

Alex casts Applied Geometry and targets Adrix and Nev, Twincasters. Which answer best describes what happens when Applied Geometry resolves?

1. Alex creates eight tokens and puts six +1/+1 counters on one of them.
2. Alex creates two tokens and puts six +1/+1 counters on each of them.
3. Alex creates two tokens and puts three +1/+1 counters on each of them.
4. Alex creates eight tokens and puts six +1/+1 counters on each of them.
5. Alex creates two tokens and puts six +1/+1 counters on one of them.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

Adrix and Nev’s ability creates a replacement effect that modifies token-creating events [CR 614.1a]. In this scenario, the effect replaces the event of Alex creating a token with Alex creating two such tokens.

The tokens are created simultaneously, and a replacement effect has to exist before an event in order to modify it, so the abilities of the two Adrix and Nev tokens cannot modify their own creation or that of the other token [CR 614.4]. Alex creates a total of two tokens.

The instruction to put six +1/+1 counters applies to each token created by Applied Geometry’s effect. Normally, that is just one token. In this scenario, Alex creates two tokens and puts six +1/+1 counters on each of them.

Question 19

Aaron controls Moseo, Vein’s New Dean, has Bear Cub and Quakestrider Ceratops in his graveyard, and has gained 2 life this turn. Nadia has Ornithopter and Swab Goblin in her graveyard and has gained no life this turn. At the beginning of his end step, Aaron puts Moseo’s third ability onto the stack and targets Bear Cub. Nadia responds with Return the Favor and targets the ability with both modes. Which of the following outcomes of resolving everything are possible, assuming that Nadia makes the appropriate choices, if any, in each case? Select all that apply.

1. Nadia puts Ornithopter onto the battlefield.
2. Nadia puts Swab Goblin onto the battlefield.
3. Aaron puts Bear Cub onto the battlefield.
4. Aaron puts nothing onto the battlefield.
5. Nadia puts nothing onto the battlefield.
6. Nadia puts Bear Cub onto the battlefield.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answers C and E are correct.

Nadia has gained no life this turn, so when she copies Moseo’s infusion ability, she can either leave the copy’s target unchanged or choose Ornithopter as its new target [CR 115.7d]. Either way, the copy does not resolve: Moseo’s ability has an intervening “if” clause that is checked both when the ability would trigger and when it would resolve [CR 603.4]. When the copy is supposed to resolve, the intervening “if” clause stops it from resolving and Nadia puts nothing onto the battlefield [CR 608.2a].

When instructed to change an ability’s target, Nadia can change the target only to another legal target [CR 115.7a]. In the case of Moseo’s ability, there are no other legal targets, as Quakestrider Ceratops’s mana value is greater than the amount of life Aaron gained this turn. As a result, Nadia has to leave the ability’s target unchanged. When the ability resolves, Aaron puts Bear Cub onto the battlefield.

Question 20

Ada controls Starfield Vocalist and Nicolas controls Secret Tunnel and Treasure Map (a nonmodal double-faced card whose back face is Treasure Cove). Ada plays Petrified Hamlet and names “Treasure Cove” and then “Secret Tunnel” when the two instances of Petrified Hamlet’s enters-the-battlefield ability resolve. Which answer best describes Nicolas’s options for activating the non-mana abilities of his permanents?

1. This can’t happen as described. Ada cannot name “Treasure Cove” for Petrified Hamlet’s enters-the-battlefield ability.
2. Nicolas cannot activate Secret Tunnel’s non-mana abilities. He may activate Treasure Map’s ability. If that permanent transforms into Treasure Cove, Nicolas cannot activate its non-mana abilities.
3. Nicolas may activate both permanents’ non-mana abilities. If Treasure Map transforms into Treasure Cove, he may activate its non-mana abilities. If Nicolas ever controls a permanent named both “Treasure Cove” and “Secret Tunnel,” he cannot activate its non-mana abilities.
4. This can’t happen as described. Ada can name “Treasure Cove” for Petrified Hamlet’s enters-the-battlefield ability only while a permanent with that name is on the battlefield.
5. Nicolas cannot activate Secret Tunnel’s non-mana abilities. He may activate Treasure Map’s ability. If that permanent transforms into Treasure Cove, Nicolas may activate its non-mana abilities.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer B is correct.

If a player is instructed to choose a card name, the name of any card in the Oracle card reference may be chosen; there is no requirement that an object with that name has to be on the battlefield or in any other zone [CR 201.4]. A player may choose the name of a double-faced card’s back face [CR 201.4d]. In this scenario, Ada may choose “Treasure Cove.”

The first two abilities of Petrified Hamlet are linked; the second refers to the card name chosen for the first [CR 607.2d]. If there are multiple chosen card names because the enters-the-battlefield ability resolved multiple times, the second ability refers to all of those card names. The names are not used for the value of a (numeric) variable, so they are used separately; as a result, the second ability’s effect applies to each object named “Treasure Cove” and/or “Secret Tunnel.”

The effect of a static ability does not lock in the objects it applies to; it continuously updates the set of affected objects [CR 611.3a]. In this scenario, the effect of Petrified Hamlet’s second ability starts to apply to Treasure Map as soon as it transforms into Treasure Cove.

Question 21

Alex controls Sylvan Library and Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator, their library contains twenty cards, and they have 20 life. During Alex’s draw step, they draw one card as a turn-based action and two additional cards when Sylvan Library’s ability resolves. Then they choose two cards in their hand drawn this turn. Which answer best describes what happens if Alex—after drawing the two additional cards—intends to put one card back on top of their library?

1. Alex decides which of the two cards they pay 4 life for and which card they put on top of their library. Next, Alex simultaneously exiles the top four cards of their library and puts the chosen card on top; that card ends up on top, and the previous top four cards end up exiled.
2. Alex decides which of the two cards they pay 4 life for, which card they put on top of their library, and the order for those two actions. Alex then carries out the two actions in the chosen order. If they first exile the top four cards of their library, the other card ends up on top of the library; if they put that card on top of the library first, it ends up exiled together with the next three cards.
3. Alex chooses one of the two cards and whether they want to pay 4 life, then carries out the resulting action. Alex then chooses whether they want to pay 4 life for the other card; if they chose to pay life for the first card, Alex knows which four cards they exiled from the top of their library while making this decision. Once Alex makes the actual decision for the second card, they carry out the resulting action.
4. Alex decides which of the two cards they pay 4 life for, which card they put on top of their library, and the order for those two actions. Alex then carries out the two actions in the chosen order. Regardless of the order, the card chosen to be put back ends up on top of their library and four (other) cards from the top of their library end up exiled.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer A is correct.

After choosing two cards, Alex gets instructed, for each of those two cards, to either pay 4 life or put it on top of their library. If a player gets instructed to perform an action on multiple objects, those actions are performed simultaneously whenever possible [CR 608.2f]. In this scenario, Alex makes a choice for each card, then performs the resulting actions simultaneously, if possible.

Simultaneously paying 4 life and 4 life is possible (given a life total of at least 8). Simultaneously paying 4 life and putting a card from the hand on top of the library is also possible. Simultaneously putting two cards from the hand on top of the library is also possible: Alex chooses an order for the two cards, then moves both of them at the same time [CR 401.4].

Applying the replacement effect of Ashiok’s ability does not change whether the simultaneous actions are possible. If Alex chooses to pay 4 life for each card, the replacement effect sees an upcoming event of Alex paying 8 life and modifies that event to Alex exiling the top eight cards of their library.

If Alex instead chooses to pay 4 life for one card, the replacement effect sees an upcoming event of Alex paying 4 life and simultaneously putting a card on top of their library; the modified event is that Alex exiles the top four cards of their library and simultaneously puts a card on top of their library. No other replacement effect wants to modify the event, so the top four cards of Alex’s library are determined (which do not include the other card, as it hasn’t moved yet). Then the modified event occurs: five cards change zones, with four of them being put into exile and the fifth taking their place on top of Alex’s library.

Whatever decisions Alex makes, all resulting actions can be performed simultaneously, even with the replacement effect of Ashiok’s ability applied to them. Thus, the actions happen simultaneously.

Question 22

Anthony controls Mistmeadow Council and a 1/1 Kithkin creature token. He casts Spry and Mighty and Nessa responds with Fresh Start, targeting Mistmeadow Council, and with Shock, targeting the Kithkin creature token. Which answer best describes what happens as Spry and Mighty resolves?

1. Anthony draws a card. Mistmeadow Council gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.
2. Mistmeadow Council gains trample until end of turn.
3. Mistmeadow Council gets ‑1/‑1 and gains trample until end of turn.
4. Nothing happens.
5. Anthony draws two cards. Mistmeadow Council gets +2/+2 and gains trample until end of turn.

Click to reveal the correct answer.

Answer A is correct.

Fresh Start and Shock resolve before Spry and Mighty; when the latter resolves, Anthony controls only one creature [CR 117.7]. Spry and Mighty does not target the creatures, so Anthony chooses the two creatures he controls only during the spell’s resolution [CR 608.2d]. Since choosing exactly two creatures is impossible, Anthony does as much as possible and chooses only Mistmeadow Council; the other creature is undetermined [CR 609.3].

The game then determines the value of X. To do so, it needs to determine the powers of the two creatures and subtract the smaller one from the greater one. In this scenario, the power of one creature is -1; the other creature and thus the other power is undetermined [CR 107.1b]. If a calculation would use an undetermined number, it uses 0 instead [CR 107.2]. In this scenario, the game uses ‑1 and 0 as the two power values [CR 107.1b]. Subtracting the smaller number from the larger one yields 0 – (‑1) = 1.

The result of the calculation is X = 1, so Anthony draws one card and Mistmeadow Council gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.