Cunning Wish 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
You may reveal an instant card you own from outside the game and put it into your hand. Exile Cunning Wish.
Complete guide
Cunning Wish is a powerful blue instant that allows you to reach beyond your library to find the perfect answer. By accessing your sideboard mid-game, you can adapt to any threat your opponent presents. This card is a staple for control decks looking for versatility and precision.
Accessing the Sideboard
When you cast Cunning Wish, you look for an instant card you own from outside the game. In competitive play, 'outside the game' refers specifically to your sideboard. You reveal that card to your opponent and put it directly into your hand, giving you immediate access to a utility spell you didn't include in your main deck.
Resolution and Exiling
As Cunning Wish resolves, you must first find and reveal the instant card. Once the chosen card is moved to your hand, Cunning Wish exiles itself as part of its resolution. This prevents you from easily looping the spell with graveyard recursion, ensuring it is a one-time gateway to your sideboard per copy.
Zone Clarifications
It is important to remember that cards in exile are not 'outside the game'; they are in the exile zone. You cannot use Cunning Wish to retrieve an instant that has already been exiled during the match. Similarly, cards in your library, graveyard, or those that are phased out are considered 'in the game' and cannot be chosen.
Strategic Timing
Since Cunning Wish is an instant, you can cast it at the end of your opponent's turn or in response to a specific threat. This allows you to keep your mana open for potential counters and only commit to fetching a specific answer once you know exactly what you need to deal with.
Interaction examples
CounterspellIf your opponent casts a spell you must stop, you can cast Cunning Wish to retrieve Counterspell from your sideboard. After putting Counterspell into your hand, Cunning Wish exiles. If you have the additional blue mana available, you can then cast Counterspell to stop the threat.
Arcane DenialAt the end of your opponent's turn, you cast Cunning Wish to find Arcane Denial from your sideboard. This allows you to draw a card on the following upkeep while ensuring you have a flexible counterspell ready for the next round of play.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Cunning Wish
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You can't acquire exiled cards because those cards are still in one of the game's zones.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
In a sanctioned event, a card that's "outside the game" is one that's in your sideboard. In an unsanctioned event, you may choose any card from your collection.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Can't acquire cards that are phased out.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Can't acquire the Ante cards. They are considered still "in the game" as are cards in the library and the graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Cunning Wish
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.