This is the latest red card to include the ability sometimes referred to as “reverse looting,” “red looting,” or “rummaging.” While blue cards frequently have “Draw a card, then discard a card” abilities, red doesn’t get that same luxury and flexibility. Instead, red gets “Discard a card, then draw a card.”

So be careful when resolving these kinds of abilities. Academy Raider hits your opponent, and the ability triggers. Don’t just go drawing a card right away, or you’ll get yourself into trouble. At Competitive REL, you might just earn yourself a Drawing Extra Cards infraction (which carries a Game Loss penalty)! You have to follow the instructions in order, so as the ability resolves, first you may discard a card. Then “if you do”, you get to draw a card. It’s important to note that virtually all these “red loot” abilities, including Academy Raider, require the discard in order to draw. If you have no cards in hand, you can’t discard. And if you don’t discard, you can’t draw.

Today’s Rules Tip written by Josh Stansfield