Cut // Ribbons — ruling 1

Once you've started to cast a spell with aftermath from your graveyard, the card is immediately moved to the stack. Opponents can't try to stop the ability by exiling the card with an effect such as that of Crook of Condemnation.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 2

All split cards have two card faces on a single card, and you put a split card onto the stack with only the half you're casting. The characteristics of the half of the card you didn't cast are ignored while the spell is on the stack. For example, if an effect prevents you from casting green spells, you can cast Destined of Destined // Lead, but not Lead.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 3

Each split card is a single card. For example, if you discard one, you've discarded one card, not two. If an effect counts the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard, Destined // Lead counts once, not twice.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 4

Each split card has two names. If an effect instructs you to choose a card name, you may choose one, but not both.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 5

While not on the stack, the characteristics of a split card are the combination of its two halves. For example, Destined // Lead is a green and black card, it is both an instant card and a sorcery card, and its mana value is 6. This means that if an effect allows you to cast a card with mana value 2 from your hand, you can't cast Destined. This is a change from the previous rules for split cards.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 6

Split cards with aftermath have a new frame treatment—the half you can cast from your hand is oriented the same as other cards you'd cast from your hand, while the half you can cast from your graveyard is a traditional split card half. This frame treatment is for your convenience and has no rules significance.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 7

If another effect allows you to cast a split card with aftermath from any zone other than a graveyard, you can't cast the half with aftermath.

Cut // Ribbons — ruling 8

If another effect allows you to cast a split card with aftermath from a graveyard, you may cast either half. If you cast the half that has aftermath, you'll exile the card if it would leave the stack.

Cut // Ribbons : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Cut // Ribbons 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

Cut deals 4 damage to target creature. Aftermath (Cast this spell only from your graveyard. Then exile it.) Each opponent loses X life.

Complete guide

Cut // Ribbons is a powerful split card from Amonkhet that offers both early-game removal and late-game finishing potential. Thanks to the Aftermath mechanic, this sorcery provides two distinct effects that you can utilize at different stages of the match. Understanding how these halves function in various zones is key to maximizing its value.

Dual Purposes: Hand and Graveyard

Cut // Ribbons is a split card, meaning it has two distinct sets of characteristics. While it is in your hand, you can only cast the 'Cut' half. Once the card is in your graveyard—whether you cast the first half or discarded it—the 'Ribbons' half becomes available via Aftermath. The Aftermath keyword allows you to cast that specific half from your graveyard, and the card is exiled immediately after it leaves the stack, regardless of whether it resolves or is countered.

Resolution and Timing

When you cast Cut, it goes onto the stack like any other spell. After it resolves and deals 4 damage to its target, it is placed in your graveyard. Because it is your turn, you regain priority immediately after resolution. This allows you to cast Ribbons before your opponents can use effects like exiling your graveyard, provided it is still a main phase and the stack is empty. When Ribbons is cast, you choose a value for X, and each opponent loses that much life.

Mana Values and Zones

A common mistake involves calculating the mana value of this card. While on the stack, the spell only has the characteristics of the half being cast. However, in any other zone like the hand or library, the mana value is the combined total of both halves. For Cut // Ribbons, the total mana value is 4 (2 from Cut + 2 from the base cost of Ribbons). This is crucial for effects that check for specific mana costs or allow you to cast spells for free.

When to Play Cut // Ribbons

Cut is best used early to mid-game to remove problematic blockers or utility creatures. Ribbons serves as your 'mana sink' finisher. Save Ribbons for a moment where you have excess mana or need to bypass high-toughness blockers, as life loss cannot be prevented by standard damage reduction or protection.

Interaction examples

Fueling the Finisher

Jeska's Will

If you have Cut // Ribbons in your graveyard, you can cast Jeska's Will to generate a large amount of red mana based on an opponent's hand size. You can then use that red mana to pay for the {X} in the Aftermath cost of Ribbons. Even though Ribbons is a black spell, the {X} portion of the cost can be paid with mana of any color, allowing you to drain your opponents for a massive amount of life.

Surviving the Deluge

Toxic Deluge

If an opponent casts Toxic Deluge to clear the board, Cut // Ribbons remains in your hand or graveyard unaffected by the -X/-X effect. If you were low on life due to the opponent's aggressive play, you can cast Ribbons from your graveyard on your next turn. Since Ribbons causes 'life loss' rather than damage, it is a reliable way to finish an opponent who may have stabilized their board state but left themselves at a low life total.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Cut // Ribbons

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Once you've started to cast a spell with aftermath from your graveyard, the card is immediately moved to the stack. Opponents can't try to stop the ability by exiling the card with an effect such as that of Crook of Condemnation.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
All split cards have two card faces on a single card, and you put a split card onto the stack with only the half you're casting. The characteristics of the half of the card you didn't cast are ignored while the spell is on the stack. For example, if an effect prevents you from casting green spells, you can cast Destined of Destined // Lead, but not Lead.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Each split card is a single card. For example, if you discard one, you've discarded one card, not two. If an effect counts the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard, Destined // Lead counts once, not twice.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Each split card has two names. If an effect instructs you to choose a card name, you may choose one, but not both.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
While not on the stack, the characteristics of a split card are the combination of its two halves. For example, Destined // Lead is a green and black card, it is both an instant card and a sorcery card, and its mana value is 6. This means that if an effect allows you to cast a card with mana value 2 from your hand, you can't cast Destined. This is a change from the previous rules for split cards.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Split cards with aftermath have a new frame treatment—the half you can cast from your hand is oriented the same as other cards you'd cast from your hand, while the half you can cast from your graveyard is a traditional split card half. This frame treatment is for your convenience and has no rules significance.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If another effect allows you to cast a split card with aftermath from any zone other than a graveyard, you can't cast the half with aftermath.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If another effect allows you to cast a split card with aftermath from a graveyard, you may cast either half. If you cast the half that has aftermath, you'll exile the card if it would leave the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
A spell with aftermath cast from a graveyard will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, it's countered, or it leaves the stack in some other way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Ribbons causes the opposing team to lose two times X life.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#11April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast the first half of a split card with aftermath during your turn, you'll have priority immediately after it resolves. You can cast the half with aftermath from your graveyard before any player can take any other action if it's legal for you to do so.
No other card is named in this ruling.