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Surge
Keyword Ability
Type Static
Introduced Oath of the Gatewatch
Last used Oath of the Gatewatch
Reminder Text Surge [cost] (You may cast a spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate have cast another spell in the same turn.)
Storm Scale 4[1]
Statistics
11 cards
{U} 54.5% {R} 45.5%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Surge"

Surge is a keyword ability introduced in Oath of the Gatewatch that provides an alternative cost that if the spell is set up with another spell.

Description[ | ]

You may cast a spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate have cast another spell in the same turn. However, the triggered ability only gives a bonus to your own creatures, not to your teammate's. The cards are both cheaper and more powerful if cast for their surge cost.[2]

Teammates are all allied players in Two-Headed Giant, Emperor, and certain other multiplayer Magic formats. The development team balanced the mechanic such that the cards could be powerful in two-player games as well.

Rules[ | ]

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

Surge
A keyword ability that provides an alternative cost to cast a card if you or one of your teammates has cast another spell in the same turn. See rule 702.117, “Surge.”

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

  • 702.117. Surge
    • 702.117a Surge is a static ability that functions while the spell with surge is on the stack. “Surge [cost]” means “You may pay [cost] rather than pay this spell’s mana cost as you cast this spell if you or one of your teammates has cast another spell this turn.” Casting a spell for its surge cost follows the rules for paying alternative costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h.

Rulings[ | ]

  • For some cards, surge represents only an alternative cost, a discount that applies if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn. Other cards, like Reckless Bushwhacker, have additional abilities or effects if you paid the surge cost to cast the spell.
  • The other spell that you or a teammate cast can be one that's resolved, one that was countered, or (for instants with surge) one that's still on the stack.
  • If an instant or sorcery spell cast for its surge cost is copied, the copy is also considered to have had its surge cost paid.
  • Casting a spell for its surge cost doesn't change its mana cost or its converted mana cost.

Examples[ | ]

Example

Reckless Bushwhacker {2}{R}
Creature — Goblin Warrior Ally
2/1
Surge {1}{R} (You may cast a spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate have cast another spell in the same turn.)
Haste
When Reckless Bushwhacker enters the battlefield, if its surge cost was paid, other creatures you control get +1/+0 and gain haste until end of turn.

References[ | ]

  1. Mark Rosewater (November 21, 2016). "Storm Scale: Zendikar and Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Ethan Fleischer (December 28, 2015). "A First Time for Everything". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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