Flusterstorm 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
Counter target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays. Storm (When you cast this spell, copy it for each spell cast before it this turn. You may choose new targets for the copies.)
Complete guide
Flusterstorm is a legendary defensive tool in Magic: The Gathering, specifically designed to win counterspell wars and shut down combo decks. By utilizing the Storm mechanic, this single blue mana instant can generate an overwhelming number of copies that are difficult for opponents to answer all at once.
How Flusterstorm Works
When you cast Flusterstorm, it targets an instant or sorcery. The Storm keyword is a triggered ability that looks at how many spells were cast by any player earlier in the turn. For every spell cast before Flusterstorm, you create a copy of Flusterstorm on the stack. Each individual copy requires the target's controller to pay {1} or have their spell countered.
The Resolution Process
First, you cast Flusterstorm and the Storm trigger goes on the stack above it. When the Storm trigger resolves, the copies are created and put directly onto the stack. These copies are not 'cast,' so they won't add to the count of future Storm spells. Each copy and the original spell resolve one by one. The opponent must pay {1} for each individual copy that targets their spell; if they cannot, their spell is countered.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that Flusterstorm only targets instants or sorceries. You cannot use it to counter creatures, enchantments, or planeswalkers. Additionally, remember that the Storm trigger itself can be countered by specific effects. If the Storm trigger is countered, you only get the single original Flusterstorm spell, not the swarm of copies.
When to Cast It
Flusterstorm is best used as a 'finisher' in a stack battle. Because it creates multiple copies, an opponent with their own counterspell would typically only be able to counter one of your copies, leaving the rest to resolve. It is also an excellent answer to an opponent's own Storm spells, as you can target their original spell and its copies with your own copies.
Interaction examples
Player A casts a sorcery. Player B casts a counterspell. Player A then casts Flusterstorm. Since two spells were cast before it this turn, Flusterstorm creates two copies. Player A now has three Flusterstorm effects on the stack, all targeting Player B's counterspell. Player B must pay {3} total to save their spell.
If an opponent casts two different instant spells in a row, you can cast Flusterstorm. The Storm trigger will create copies based on their two spells. You can choose to have some copies target the first instant and other copies target the second instant, potentially countering both spells for just one blue mana.
If you cast a spell that was countered earlier in the turn, that spell still counts toward your Storm total. If you cast a spell from your graveyard using an ability like Flashback, that also counts. Flusterstorm cares about how many spells were successfully cast, regardless of whether they resolved or what zone they were cast from.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Flusterstorm
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Spells cast from zones other than a player's hand and spells that were countered are counted by the storm ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
You may choose new targets for any of the copies. You can make different choices for each copy.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The copies are put directly onto the stack. They aren't cast and won't be counted by other spells with storm cast later in the turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
The triggered ability that creates the copies can itself be countered by anything that can counter a triggered ability. If it is countered, no copies will be put onto the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
A copy of a spell can be countered like any other spell, but it must be countered individually. Countering a spell with storm won't affect the copies.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Guile + Flusterstorm
- 1Cast the additional instant or sorcery spell.
- 2Holding priority, cast Flusterstorm by paying
, targeting the instant or sorcery. - 3Flusterstorm's storm ability triggers, creating a copy of Flusterstorm for each spell you've cast before it this turn, with each copy targeting the original Flusterstorm.
- 4Resolve a copy of Flusterstorm, exiling Flusterstorm and allowing you to cast it from exile without paying its mana cost, targeting the instant or sorcery spell.
- 5Repeat from step 3.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Flusterstorm
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.