Electrodominance — ruling 1

If the target is illegal as Electrodominance tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't get to cast a spell from your hand.

Electrodominance — ruling 2

Effects that allow you to cast a spell don't allow you to play a land.

Electrodominance — ruling 3

If the target is dealt lethal damage this way, it will still be on the battlefield while you cast a spell from your hand. It won't die until after Electrodominance is finished resolving. If any of its abilities trigger while you cast that spell, those abilities will trigger but won't resolve until after the target has died.

Electrodominance — ruling 4

You cast the spell during the resolution of Electrodominance. Ignore timing restrictions based on the spell's type.

Electrodominance — ruling 5

If you cast a spell "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Bankrupt in Blood, those must be paid to cast the card.

Electrodominance — ruling 6

If a spell has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.

Electrodominance : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Electrodominance 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

Electrodominance deals X damage to any target. You may cast a spell with mana value X or less from your hand without paying its mana cost.

Complete guide

Electrodominance is a versatile instant that combines direct damage with the ability to cheat out another spell from your hand. By investing X mana, you can remove a threat and immediately pivot into your next game-winning play. It is a staple for red decks looking to maintain tempo while pressuring opponents' life totals or creatures.

What it Does

Electrodominance deals X damage to any target of your choice. Immediately after the damage is dealt, the spell allows you to cast a card from your hand with a mana value of X or less without paying its mana cost. This provides a unique advantage by bypassing normal timing restrictions for non-instant spells.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you choose a target and a value for X as you cast the spell. Upon resolution, Electrodominance deals X damage to the chosen target. If the target is still legal, you then check your hand for a spell with mana value X or less. You may choose to cast that spell immediately during the resolution process. Note that if the target becomes illegal before resolution, the entire spell is removed from the stack and you do not get to cast a free card.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to play a land with the secondary effect; however, the card specifies you may cast a 'spell,' and lands are not spells. Another common mistake involves timing: if the damage dealt is lethal to a creature, that creature remains on the battlefield until Electrodominance has completely finished resolving. Finally, if you cast a spell with {X} in its cost using this effect, the value of that X must be 0.

When to Play It

Electrodominance is most effective when used at the end of an opponent's turn. Because it allows you to ignore timing restrictions, you can drop a powerful Sorcery or Creature card into play while your opponent is tapped out. It is also excellent for securing a kill on a planeswalker while simultaneously developing your board state.

Interaction examples

Clearing the Path and Shuffling

Chaos Warp

If you cast Electrodominance with X=3, you can deal 3 damage to an opponent's creature. As part of the resolution, you may then cast Chaos Warp for free, targeting another problematic permanent. Both effects happen sequentially during the resolution of Electrodominance, allowing you to remove two threats for the price of one.

Protecting Your Play

Deflecting Swat

If you cast Electrodominance for X=3 and an opponent attempts to Counterspell it, you can't use the free spell from Electrodominance to stop that counter because Electrodominance hasn't resolved yet. However, if you resolve Electrodominance and cast Deflecting Swat as your free spell, you can change the target of a different spell already on the stack to protect your future interests.

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

How it works : Electrodominance

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If the target is illegal as Electrodominance tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't get to cast a spell from your hand.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
Effects that allow you to cast a spell don't allow you to play a land.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If the target is dealt lethal damage this way, it will still be on the battlefield while you cast a spell from your hand. It won't die until after Electrodominance is finished resolving. If any of its abilities trigger while you cast that spell, those abilities will trigger but won't resolve until after the target has died.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
You cast the spell during the resolution of Electrodominance. Ignore timing restrictions based on the spell's type.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast a spell "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Bankrupt in Blood, those must be paid to cast the card.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.