Flash

[["Keyword Ability",[{"data":"[[Static ability|Static]]","label":"Type"},{"data":"''[[Visions]]'' (mechanic)''[[Time Spiral]]'' (keyword)","label":"Introduced"},{"data":"''[[Evergreen]]''","label":"Last used"},{"data":"Flash ''(You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)''","label":"Reminder Text"}]],["Scryfall Statistics",[{"data":"[https://scryfall.com/search?q=keyword%3A%22Flash%22 cards]"}]]]

Flash
Keyword Ability
Type	Static
Introduced	Visions (mechanic) Time Spiral (keyword)
Last used	Evergreen
Reminder Text	Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)
Scryfall Statistics
cards

Flash is a keyword ability which allows the card it is printed on to be cast at any time you could cast an Instant.

Description

Flash first appeared in the Time Spiral expansion, its first appearance in a core set was in Tenth Edition. Although this ability existed before Time Spiral, this is the first time it was used a keyword. The earliest card with Flash is King Cheetah from Visions. Older cards with this ability have received errata to give them Flash.

Flash used to be primary in blue, secondary in green and black and tertiary in white and red. Starting with Kaldheim, white also became secondary to help solve its problems in Commander.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (July 25, 2025—Edge of Eternities)

Flash

A keyword ability that lets a player play a card any time they could cast an instant. See rule 702.8, “Flash.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (July 25, 2025—Edge of Eternities)

• 702.8. Flash
  • 702.8a Flash is a static ability that functions in any zone from which you could play the card it’s on. “Flash” means “You may play this card any time you could cast an instant.”
  • 702.8b Multiple instances of flash on the same object are redundant.

Examples

Example

Ashcoat Bear
Creature — Bear
2/2
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)

Cards that grant Flash

Cardtype	Name	Mana cost	Grants flash to
Creatures	Cherished Hatchling		Dinosaurs
	Elsha of the Infinite		Noncreature spells (from top of library)
	Gandalf, Friend of the Shire		Sorceries
	Gandalf, the White		Legendary spells and artifacts
	Heliod, the Warped Eclipse	+	Nonland cards
	Hypersonic Dragon		Sorceries
	Keeper of the Secret Lair		Secret Lair spells
	Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter		Colorless and artifact spells
	Najal, the Storm Runner		Sorceries
	Prophet of Kruphix		Creatures
	Quick Sliver		Slivers (any player)
	Raff Capashen, Ship's Mage		Historic spells
	Rattlechains		Spirits
	Renari, Merchant of Marvels		Dragons
	Rootwater Shaman		Auras with enchant creature
	Shimmer Myr		Artifacts
	Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir		Creatures you own that aren't on the battlefield
	Tidal Barracuda		Any spell
	Wizards of Thay		Sorceries
	Yeva, Nature's Herald		Green creatures
Enchantments	Aluren		Creatures with converted mana cost 3 or less (any player)
	Breath of the Sleepless		Spirits
	Leyline of Anticipation		Nonland cards
	Sigarda's Aid		Auras and Equipment
	Vernal Equinox		Creatures and enchantments (any player)
Instants	Argivian Welcome		Nonland card (Perpetually)
	Borne Upon a Wind		Spells you cast this turn
	Complete the Circuit		Sorceries
	Quicken		Next sorcery you cast this turn
	Ride the Avalanche		Next spell you cast this turn
	Savage Summoning		Next creature you cast this turn
	Scout's Warning		Next creature you play this turn
Artifacts	Vedalken Orrery		Nonland cards
Lands	Alchemist's Refuge	, (activation)	Nonland cards
	Emergence Zone	,, Sacrifice Emergence Zone (activaton)	Nonland cards (until end of turn)
	Winding Canyons	, (activation)	Creatures (until end of turn)
Planeswalkers	Arlinn, the Pack's Hope		+1: Creatures
	Teferi, Time Raveler		Sorceries until your next turn (+1 Loyalty Ability)
	A-Teferi, Time Raveler		Sorceries until your next turn (+1 Loyalty Ability)
	Vivien, Champion of the Wilds		Creatures (Static Ability)
Planes	Akoum		Enchantments (any player)
Vanguards	Tawnos		Artifacts, creatures, and enchantments

Trivia

• The flash keyword shares its name with the card Flash.