Flickering Hound 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

Whenever you cast a creature spell, exile up to one other target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control.

Complete guide

Flickering Hound is a versatile utility creature that transforms every creature spell you cast into a powerful blinking effect. By momentarily removing and returning your permanents, it allows you to reset abilities and protect your board from negative status effects. This white Dog is a perfect engine for decks that rely on 'enters-the-battlefield' triggers.

What It Does

Flickering Hound features a triggered ability that responds whenever you cast a creature spell. It allows you to target another creature you control, exile it, and immediately return it to the battlefield under its owner's control. Note that the ability says 'up to one,' meaning you are not forced to exile a creature if you do not wish to.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you must cast a creature spell from your hand or any other zone. This puts Flickering Hound's ability on the stack. Second, you choose your target creature (it must be a creature you control other than the Hound). Third, once the ability resolves, the targeted creature is moved to the exile zone and then immediately returns to the battlefield. This happens before your original creature spell actually resolves and enters the battlefield.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is trying to target the creature spell you just cast; however, the ability targets a creature on the battlefield, not a spell on the stack. Additionally, remember that flickering a creature will cause it to lose any counters (like +1/+1 counters) and any Auras or Equipment attached to it will fall off or become unattached. Finally, the creature returns under its owner's control, which is important if you are currently controlling a creature owned by an opponent.

When to Play It

You should play Flickering Hound in strategies that feature creatures with powerful entry effects. It is also excellent for 'untapping' a creature to use as a blocker, as the creature returns to the battlefield untapped and unaffected by previous combat restrictions. It can even be used to save a creature from an opponent's enchantment like Pacifism.

Interaction examples

The Land Ramp Engine

Solemn Simulacrum

With Flickering Hound on the battlefield, you cast another creature spell. In response to the cast, you target Solemn Simulacrum with the Hound's ability. The Simulacrum is exiled and returns to the battlefield immediately. Because it entered the battlefield again, its ability triggers, allowing you to search for another basic land even before your new creature spell finishes resolving.

Doubling the Flickers

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with the chosen type 'Dog', casting a creature spell will cause Flickering Hound's ability to trigger twice. This allows you to exile and return the same creature twice (resolving one at a time) or target two different creatures you control to reset multiple 'enters-the-battlefield' abilities at once.

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