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Flash
MTGA 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.)
Statistics
377 cards
{C} 1.9% {W} 19.4% {U} 30.8% {B} 9% {R} 5.8% {G} 13.8% {W/U} 3.7% {U/B} 3.4% {B/R} 0.5% {R/G} 0.8% {G/W} 0.5% {U/R} 0.8% {G/U} 2.9% {M} 1.3% {artifact symbol} 5.3%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Flash"

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,[1] its first appearance in a core set was in Tenth Edition.[2] 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.[3]

Flash used to be primary in blue, secondary in green and black and tertiary in white and red.[4][5][6] Starting with Kaldheim, white also became secondary to help solve its problems in Commander.[7][8]

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (March 8, 2024—Fallout)

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 (March 8, 2024—Fallout)

  • 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 {1}{G}
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 {1}{G} Dinosaurs
Elsha of the Infinite {2}{U}{R}{W} Noncreature spells (from top of library)
Gandalf, Friend of the Shire {3}{U} Sorceries
Gandalf, the White {3}{W}{W} Legendary spells and artifacts
Heliod, the Warped Eclipse {2}{W}{W} + {3}{U/P} Nonland cards
Hypersonic Dragon {3}{U}{R} Sorceries
Keeper of the Secret Lair {1}{U} Secret Lair spells
Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter {3} Colorless and artifact spells
Najal, the Storm Runner {2}{U}{U}{R} Sorceries
Prophet of Kruphix {3}{G}{U} Creatures
Quick Sliver {1}{G} Slivers (any player)
Raff Capashen, Ship's Mage {2}{W}{U} Historic spells
Rattlechains {1}{U} Spirits
Renari, Merchant of Marvels {3}{U} Dragons
Rootwater Shaman {2}{U} Auras with enchant creature
Shimmer Myr {3} Artifacts
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir {2}{U}{U}{U} Creatures you own that aren't on the battlefield
Tidal Barracuda {3}{U} Any spell
Wizards of Thay {3}{U} Sorceries
Yeva, Nature's Herald {2}{G}{G} Green creatures
Enchantments Aluren {2}{G}{G} Creatures with converted mana cost 3 or less (any player)
Breath of the Sleepless {3}{U} Spirits
Leyline of Anticipation {2}{U}{U} Nonland cards
Sigarda's Aid {W} Auras and Equipment
Vernal Equinox {3}{G} Creatures and enchantments (any player)
Instants Argivian Welcome {W}{U} Nonland card (Perpetually)
Borne Upon a Wind {1}{U} Spells you cast this turn
Complete the Circuit {5}{U} Sorceries
Quicken {U} Next sorcery you cast this turn
Ride the Avalanche {G}{U} Next spell you cast this turn
Savage Summoning {G} Next creature you cast this turn
Scout's Warning {W} Next creature you play this turn
Artifacts Vedalken Orrery {4} Nonland cards
Lands Alchemist's Refuge {G}{U}, {T} (activation) Nonland cards
Emergence Zone {1},{T}, Sacrifice Emergence Zone (activaton) Nonland cards (until end of turn)
Winding Canyons {2}, {T} (activation) Creatures (until end of turn)
Planeswalkers Arlinn, the Pack's Hope {2}{R}{G} Loyalty symbol up+1: Creatures
Teferi, Time Raveler {1}{W}{U} Sorceries until your next turn (+1 Loyalty Ability)
A-Teferi, Time Raveler {2}{W}{U} Sorceries until your next turn (+1 Loyalty Ability)
Vivien, Champion of the Wilds {2}{G} Creatures (Static Ability)
Planes Akoum Enchantments (any player)
Vanguards Tawnos Artifacts, creatures, and enchantments

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (September 18, 2006). "Plenty of Time". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Mark Rosewater (June 8, 2015). "Evergreen Eggs & Ham". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Magic Arcana (November 30, 2006). "Got Flash?". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Mark Rosewater (April 27, 2017). "Is every color at least tertiary in flash?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Mark Rosewater (January 14, 2018). "Flash has been upgraded to secondary in black.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. White gets Flash Now!? Here's What's Next for White! (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (February 17, 2021).
  8. Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2021). "Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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