Clash
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| Clash | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Lorwyn |
| Last used | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander |
| Reminder Text | Clash (Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library, then puts that card on the top or bottom. A player wins if their card had a higher mana value.) |
| Storm Scale | 8[1] |
| Statistics |
28 cards  17.9%  25%  17.9%  17.9%  21.4% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Clash" | |
Clash is an keyword action. It first appeared in Lorwyn and was reused in Morningtide.[2][3][4][5]
Description
To clash, a player reveals the top card of their library. Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library, then puts that card on the top or bottom. A player wins if their card had a higher mana value.
Clash wasn't well received by the players.[6] A design review in 2010 by Rosewater considered it a design failure.[7] Nonetheless, it reappeared with Marvo, Deep Operative in a Murders at Karlov Manor Commander deck, to "make a narrow band of players very happy".[8]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Clash
- To have a mini-contest involving the top cards of players’ libraries. See rule 701.23, “Clash.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 701.23. Clash
- 701.23a To clash, a player reveals the top card of their library. That player may then put that card on the bottom of their library.
- 701.23b “Clash with an opponent” means “Choose an opponent. You and that opponent each clash.”
- 701.23c Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library at the same time. Then those players decide in APNAP order (see rule 101.4) where to put those cards, then those cards move at the same time.
- 701.23d A player wins a clash if that player revealed a card with a higher mana value than all other cards revealed in that clash.
Rulings
- Each Lorwyn card that has clash says to "clash with an opponent." To do this, the following things happen in sequence:
- The controller of the spell or ability chooses an opponent. (This doesn't target the opponent.)
- Each player involved in the clash reveals the top card of their library.
- The converted mana costs of the revealed cards are noted.
- In turn order, each player involved in the clash chooses to put their revealed card on either the top or bottom of their library. (Note that the player whose turn it is does this first, not necessarily the controller of the clash spell or ability.) When the second player makes this decision, they will know what the first player chose. Then all cards are moved at the same time.
- The clash is over. If one player in the clash revealed a card with a higher converted mana cost than all other cards revealed in the clash, that player wins the clash.
- If any abilities trigger when a player clashes, they trigger and wait to be put on the stack.
- The clash spell or ability finishes resolving. That usually involves a bonus gained by the controller of the clash spell or ability if they won the clash.
- Abilities that triggered during the clash are put on the stack.
- There are no draws or losses in a clash. Either you win it or you don't.
- Each spell or ability with clash says what happens if you (the controller of that spell or ability) win the clash. Typically, if you don't win the clash, nothing happens. (Captivating Glance is the exception to this.)
- If no one reveals a card with a higher converted mana cost (for example, each player reveals a card with converted mana cost 2), no one wins the clash.
- An X in a revealed card's mana cost is treated as 0.
- A card without a mana cost (such as a land) has a converted mana cost of 0.
- Two cards (Entangling Trap and Rebellion of the Flamekin) have abilities that trigger whenever you clash. These abilities will trigger whenever you're involved in a clash, not just whenever you cause a clash to happen. It doesn't matter whether you win the clash.
- One card (Sylvan Echoes) has an ability that triggers whenever you clash and win. This works the same as the two cards above, except it does matter whether you win the clash. Note that you can win a clash caused by a spell or ability your opponent controls.
Examples
Example
Research the Deep 
Sorcery
Draw a card. Clash with an opponent. If you win, return Research the Deep to its owner's hand. (Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library, then puts that card on the top or bottom. A player wins if their card had a higher converted mana cost.)
Trivia
- Clash was featured as rules card 4 of 5 in the Lorwyn set and 4 of 5 in the Morningtide set.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2021-04-11). "Where is clash on the storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Devin Low (September 28, 2007). "Mixed Doubles: Two Types and Two Keywords". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 1, 2007). "And the Rest". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 08, 2007). "Before and After". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 14, 2008). "But Wait, There's More". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 7, 2024). "Was Clash on the table for Thunder Junction?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 8, 2010). "Essay What". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 24, 2024). "I am curious the reasoning behind making a Clash matters commander when Clash is a very unpopular mechanic that seems unlikely to see new cards made with it.". Blogatog. Tumblr.