Flashback

Flashback
Keyword Ability
Type	Static (1st ability) Static (2nd ability)
Introduced	Odyssey
Last used	Modern Horizons 2
Reminder Text	Flashback [cost] (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Statistics	116 cards 14.7% 19.8% 16.4% 27.6% 20.7% 0.9% per Commander 2019
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keyword:"Flashback"

Flashback is a keyword ability on instants and sorceries that allows the player to pay an alternative cost to cast the spell directly from their graveyard. The spell card is exiled when the spell leaves the stack. Flashback's equivalent for permanents is unearth.

History

The first tournament-legal cards with flashback were printed in Odyssey block, but the mechanic returned in both the Time Spiral block and the Innistrad block. It also appeared in Modern Horizons and Commander 2019.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Flashback

A keyword ability that lets a player cast a card from their graveyard. See rule 702.34, “Flashback.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

• 702.34. Flashback
  • 702.34a Flashback appears on some instants and sorceries. It represents two static abilities: one that functions while the card is in a player’s graveyard and another that functions while the card is on the stack. “Flashback [cost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard if the resulting spell is an instant or sorcery spell 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.” Casting a spell using its flashback ability follows the rules for paying alternative costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h.

Rulings

• You must still follow any timing restrictions, including those based on the card's type. You can only cast a sorcery using flashback when you could normally cast a sorcery. Likewise, when an instant (with flashback) is sent to the graveyard, that player may cast it from the graveyard once more during their opponent's turn.
• Casting a spell using flashback doesn't change the mana cost (or converted mana cost) of the spell. You just pay the flashback cost instead.
• Effects that cause you to pay more or less when casting a spell will also affect what you pay when casting the spell using flashback.
• A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, it's countered, or it leaves the stack in some other way.

Examples

Example

Ray of Revelation
Instant
Destroy target enchantment.
Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Artifact that alters flashback costs

• Catalyst Stone

Cards that grant flashback

Creatures

• Backdraft Hellkite
• Dralnu, Lich Lord
• Snapcaster Mage

Sorceries

• Past in Flames
• Recoup

Plane

• Otaria