Broken Ambitions — ruling 1

The opponent you clash with doesn't have to be the controller of the targeted spell.

Broken Ambitions — ruling 2

The clash (and the result of the clash if you win) happens regardless of whether the targeted spell was countered or {X} was paid.

Broken Ambitions : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Broken Ambitions is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Counter target spell unless its controller pays . Clash with an opponent. If you win, that spell's controller mills four cards. (Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library, then puts that card on their choice of the top or bottom. A player wins if their card had a greater mana value.)

How it works : Broken Ambitions

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 1, 2007· Wizards of the Coast
The opponent you clash with doesn't have to be the controller of the targeted spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2October 1, 2007· Wizards of the Coast
The clash (and the result of the clash if you win) happens regardless of whether the targeted spell was countered or was paid.
No other card is named in this ruling.