Aura swap
| Aura Swap | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Activated |
| Introduced | Future Sight |
| Last used | Future Sight |
| Reminder Text | Aura swap [cost] ([Cost]: Exchange this Aura with an Aura card in your hand.) |
| Storm Scale | 6[1] |
| Statistics |
1 card  100% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Aura Swap" | |
Aura swap is a keyword ability. It lets you exchange an Aura that has it for an Aura in your hand.
Description
Aura Swap was first featured in Future Sight. By nature, this is a blue ability and it has only been printed on one Aura so far, Arcanum Wings. Mark Rosewater considers the chance of it ever being reprinted likely, probably in a set with an Aura sub-theme.[2] But he also considers it a dangerous mechanic, in that it lets you circumvent mana costs.[3]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Aura Swap
- A keyword ability that lets you exchange an Aura on the battlefield with one in your hand. See rule 702.65, “Aura Swap.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.65. Aura Swap
- 702.65a Aura swap is an activated ability of some Aura cards. “Aura swap [cost]” means “[Cost]: You may exchange this permanent with an Aura card in your hand.”
- 702.65b If either half of the exchange can’t be completed, the ability has no effect.
Example: You activate the aura swap ability of an Aura. The only Aura card in your hand can’t enchant the permanent that’s enchanted by the Aura with aura swap. The ability has no effect.
Example: You activate the aura swap ability of an Aura that you control but you don’t own. The ability has no effect.
Rulings
- As the aura swap ability resolves, you may choose an Aura card in your hand. If you decide not to choose one (or don't have one), nothing happens. If you do choose one, the game checks whether that Aura can enchant the enchanted permanent as it currently exists (while the Aura with aura swap is still on the battlefield). If it can't, nothing happens. If it can, and the Aura with aura swap is still on the battlefield, and you own the Aura with aura swap, then the Aura with aura swap is put into your hand and the chosen Aura is put onto the battlefield attached to that permanent.
- The exchange is simultaneous. At no time will the permanent be enchanted by both Auras or by neither Aura.
- If a non-Aura somehow gains aura swap, the ability will do nothing when it resolves. The Aura in your hand can't be put onto the battlefield enchanting nothing, so the exchange doesn't happen.
Example
Example
Arcanum Wings 
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has flying.
Aura swap 
(: Exchange this Aura with an Aura card in your hand.)
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2015-08-15). "What is Aura Swap on the Storm Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 3, 2020). "Back to the Future Sight". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 17, 2021). "Future Sight Design Handoff Document". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.