Rhystic

Rhystic
Ability Word
Introduced	Prophecy
Last used	Prophecy
Typical Text	Rhystic — ...unless any player pays (cost).
Scryfall Search
keyword:"unless any player pays"

Rhystic is an unofficial ability word utilized on cards from the Prophecy expansion. It's a mechanic on cards that have some effect unless a player pays to keep the effect from happening.

Decription

For example Withdraw is an instant that reads, "Return target creature to its owner's hand. Then return another target creature to its owner's hand unless its controller pays 1 Mana." When Withdraw resolves, the targeted creature's controller may pay 1 Mana to stop the second part of Withdraw's effect from happening.

As with all spells and abilities, most choices (other than targets) are made on resolution, not when the spell or ability is played. For rhystic spells and abilities, this includes the choice of whether to pay the cost to stop the "unless" part of the effect.

Flavor

Flavorwise rhystic spells are fast, cheap, reckless spells that can be easily disrupted if there is too much mana around. Invented by Alexi, Zephyr Mage and other Jamuraan spellshapers. Alexi aided the forces of Barrin and Teferi in the Kipamu League against the invading Keldons.

The expansion symbol of Prophecy depicts crystals. These are meant to evoke the rhystic magic.

Stormscale

Mark Rosewater has stated that it is not likely that rhystic will be coming back anytime soon, if ever. It is considered a 9 on the Storm Scale.

Cardlist

The following cards have the Rhystic mechanic:

• Death Charmer
• Excise
• Flay
• Nakaya Shade
• Plague Fiend
• Rethink
• Soul Charmer
• Soul Strings
• Wild Might
• Withdraw

Associated cards

• Rhystic Cave
• Rhystic Circle
• Rhystic Deluge
• Rhystic Lightning
• Rhystic Shield
• Rhystic Study
• Rhystic Syphon
• Rhystic Tutor