Emptiness — ruling 1

Emptiness's first and second abilities check to see if at least two mana of the appropriate colors were spent to pay Emptiness's cost. It doesn't matter if more than two mana of that color was spent; the effect isn't multiplied.

Emptiness — ruling 2

If a card in a graveyard has {X} in its mana cost, X is 0 for the purpose of determining its mana value.

Emptiness — ruling 3

If this spell is copied, the copy will not have had any colors of mana paid for it, no matter what colors were spent on the original spell.

Emptiness — ruling 4

Emptiness's first and second abilities care about what mana was spent to pay its total cost, not just what mana was spent to pay the hybrid mana symbols in its cost.

Emptiness — ruling 5

If you pay the evoke cost, you can have the creature's own triggered ability or abilities resolve before the evoke triggered ability. You can cast spells after that ability resolves but before you have to sacrifice the creature.

Emptiness — ruling 6

To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying (such as an evoke cost), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was.

Emptiness : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Emptiness 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

When this creature enters, if was spent to cast it, return target creature card with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. When this creature enters, if was spent to cast it, put three -1/-1 counters on up to one target creature. Evoke

Complete guide

Emptiness is a versatile Elemental Incarnation that adapts its power based on the mana you invest during casting. Whether you are reanimating a fallen ally or crippling an opponent's threat, this creature provides significant utility through its hybrid mana flexibility and Evoke capability.

What it Does

Emptiness features two separate enter-the-battlefield abilities that trigger based on the specific colors of mana spent to cast it. If at least {W}{W} was spent, you return a creature card with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. If at least {B}{B} was spent, you place three -1/-1 counters on up to one target creature. You can trigger one, both, or neither of these effects depending on how you pay the total cost, including when using its Evoke alternative cost.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast Emptiness by paying either its full cost of {4}{W/B}{W/B} or its Evoke cost of {W/B}{W/B}. Upon entering the battlefield, the game checks what mana was spent; if you paid the Evoke cost, the sacrifice trigger also goes on the stack. You can choose the order of these triggers. If you spent the required colors, the reanimation or debuff targets are chosen as the abilities are put on the stack. The effects then resolve, followed by the Evoke sacrifice if applicable.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming that spending more than two mana of a specific color multiplies the effect; spending {B}{B}{B}{B} still only places three -1/-1 counters. Additionally, if Emptiness is copied (for example, by a spell that copies a creature spell on the stack), the copy will not trigger either ability because no mana was spent to cast the copy. Finally, remember that for cards in the graveyard with {X} in their mana cost, X is always treated as 0 when checking if the mana value is 3 or less.

When to Play It

Emptiness is best utilized when you need a flexible answer that can serve as a temporary spell or a permanent body. Use the Evoke cost early in the game to recover a key utility creature or remove a small threat. In the late game, hard-casting it allows you to swing the board state significantly while keeping a 4/4 body on the field to benefit from devotion or tribal synergies.

Interaction examples

Synergizing with Syr Konrad

Syr Konrad, the Grim

With Syr Konrad, the Grim on the battlefield, casting Emptiness triggers Syr Konrad multiple times. If you spend {W}{W} to return a creature card from your graveyard, Syr Konrad deals 1 damage to each opponent because a creature card left your graveyard. If you cast Emptiness for its Evoke cost, Syr Konrad triggers again when Emptiness is sacrificed and put into the graveyard.

Boosting Devotion with Gray Merchant

Gray Merchant of Asphodel

If you have Gray Merchant of Asphodel in your graveyard, you can cast Emptiness by spending {4}{W}{W}. This allows you to target the Merchant and return it to the battlefield. The Merchant's ability will then trigger, counting the two black pips in Emptiness's mana cost toward your devotion to black, even though you spent white mana to cast the Incarnation.

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

How it works : Emptiness

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 17, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Emptiness's first and second abilities check to see if at least two mana of the appropriate colors were spent to pay Emptiness's cost. It doesn't matter if more than two mana of that color was spent; the effect isn't multiplied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 17, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If a card in a graveyard has in its mana cost, X is 0 for the purpose of determining its mana value.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 17, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If this spell is copied, the copy will not have had any colors of mana paid for it, no matter what colors were spent on the original spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 17, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Emptiness's first and second abilities care about what mana was spent to pay its total cost, not just what mana was spent to pay the hybrid mana symbols in its cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 17, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If you pay the evoke cost, you can have the creature's own triggered ability or abilities resolve before the evoke triggered ability. You can cast spells after that ability resolves but before you have to sacrifice the creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 17, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying (such as an evoke cost), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was.
No other card is named in this ruling.