Narset's Reversal 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
Copy target instant or sorcery spell, then return it to its owner's hand. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Complete guide
Narset's Reversal is a versatile blue instant that provides a unique twist on stack interaction. Instead of simply countering a spell, it allows you to hijack the effect for yourself while bouncing the original card back to its owner's hand. This makes it a powerful tool for both defensive protection and tempo-swinging plays.
What It Does
Narset's Reversal targets an instant or sorcery spell currently on the stack. When it resolves, it creates a copy of that spell under your control and then returns the physical card to its owner's hand. Because the original spell is returned to the hand, it is removed from the stack and never resolves. Notably, this is not a 'counter' effect, meaning it can successfully stop spells that specify they 'can't be countered.'
Resolving the Interaction
First, you cast Narset's Reversal targeting an instant or sorcery. When Narset's Reversal resolves, you create the copy first; you may choose new targets for this copy at this time. Second, the original spell card is moved from the stack to its owner's hand. Your copy then remains on the stack and will resolve normally after both players pass priority. If you copy a spell with an X value or specific modes chosen, your copy will retain those exact choices and values.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that you can change the modes of a modal spell or the value of X; however, these are locked in based on what the original caster chose. Additionally, since you are 'copying' the spell rather than 'casting' it, abilities that trigger upon casting a spell will not trigger for the copy created by Narset's Reversal. Also, remember that if you copy your own spell, it still returns to your hand, allowing for powerful recursive loops.
When to Play It
Narset's Reversal is best used when your opponent casts a high-impact spell like a board wipe or a massive draw spell. It is also an excellent counter-countermeasure. If an opponent tries to stop your win condition with a traditional counterspell, you can use Narset's Reversal to copy their counterspell, use the copy to target their original counterspell, and return their card to their hand, effectively clearing the way for your original play.
Interaction examples
CounterspellIf your opponent casts Counterspell targeting one of your creatures, you can cast Narset's Reversal targeting Counterspell. You create a copy of Counterspell and choose your opponent's original Counterspell as the new target. The original Counterspell is then returned to your opponent's hand. Finally, your copy of Counterspell resolves, but since its target (the original spell) is no longer on the stack, the copy fizzles. You have successfully protected your creature and forced them to spend mana for nothing.
An Offer You Can't RefuseIf an opponent casts An Offer You Can't Refuse to counter your spell, you can respond with Narset's Reversal. You copy An Offer You Can't Refuse and return the original to their hand. Your copy of the spell now targets your opponent's own spell or another valid target. Because the original An Offer You Can't Refuse was returned to the hand instead of resolving, the 'controller creates two Treasure tokens' clause never happens for the original caster, denying them the mana acceleration.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Narset's Reversal
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Narset’s Reversal can copy any instant or sorcery spell, not just one with targets.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. A different mode can’t be chosen.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell that’s copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Finale of Promise does), the copy will have the same value of X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell has damage divided as it was cast, the division can’t be changed (although the targets receiving that damage still can). The same is true of spells that distribute counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
The controller of a copy can’t choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
If you copy a spell, you control the copy. Narset’s Reversal and the copy resolve before the original spell would have resolved.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #9· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell is returned to its owner’s hand, it’s removed from the stack and thus will not resolve. The spell isn’t countered; it just no longer exists. This works against a spell that can’t be countered.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #10· Wizards of the Coast
If a copy of a spell is returned to its owner’s hand, it’s moved there, then it will cease to exist as a state-based action.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Narset's Reversal + Isochron Scepter
- 1Cast the extra turn spell by paying its mana cost.
- 2Holding priority, activate Isochron Scepter by paying
and tapping it, casting a copy of Narset's Reversal. - 3Resolve the copy of Narset's Reversal, causing you to copy the extra turn spell, and return the original extra turn spell to your hand.
- 4Resolve the copy of the extra turn spell, causing you to take at least one extra turn after this one.
- 5Repeat each turn.
Twinning Staff + Narset's Reversal
- 1Cast the instant or sorcery spell.
- 2Holding priority, cast Narset's Reversal by paying
, targeting the instant or sorcery spell. - 3Holding priority, activate twinning staff by paying
targeting Narset's Reversal, copying Narset's Reversal twice. - 4Resolve one copy of Narset's Reversal targeting another copy of Narset's Reversal, copying it twice and returning the targeted copy to your hand.
- 5Repeat step 4.
Storm-Kiln Artist + Thousand-Year Storm + Narset's Reversal
- 1Cast any other instant or sorcery spell by paying its mana cost.
- 2Storm-Kiln Artist triggers, as well as Thousand-Year Storm if you've cast another instant and/or sorcery spell this turn.
- 3Resolve the Storm-Kiln Artist trigger, creating a Treasure artifact token.
- 4Resolve the Thousand-Year Storm trigger, if applicable, copying the spell at least once.
- 5Storm-Kiln Artist triggers for each copy made this way, creating that many Treasure artifact tokens.
- 6Resolve each copy of the instant or sorcery.
- 7Holding priority, activate two Treasures by tapping and sacrificing them, adding .
- 8Cast Narset's Reversal by paying , targeting the spell cast in step 1.
Narset's Reversal + Reverberate
- 1Cast any instant or sorcery by paying its mana cost.
- 2Holding priority, cast Reverberate by paying its mana cost, targeting the instant or sorcery cast in step 1.
- 3Cast Narset's Reversal by paying , copying Reverberate targeting the spell cast in step 1 and returning the original Reverberate to your hand.
- 4Cast Reverberate by paying its mana cost, copying the copy of Reverberate, targeting the copy of Reverberate.
- 5Resolve the copy of Reverberate, creating a copy of Reverberate targeting the copy of Reverberate.
- 6Repeat step 5.
Fire Lord Azula + Narset's Reversal + Frantic Search
- 1Declare Fire Lord Azula as an attacker, triggering its firebending ability, adding
. - 2Holding priority, activate up to three lands by tapping them, adding at least .
- 3Cast Frantic Search by paying .
- 4Fire Lord Azula's second ability triggers, copying Frantic Search.
- 5Resolve the copy of Frantic Search, causing you to loot twice and untap up to three lands.
- 6Holding priority, activate up to three lands by tapping them, adding at least .
- 7Cast Narset's Reversal by paying , targeting the original Frantic Search spell.
- 8Fire Lord Azula's second ability triggers, copying Narset's Reversal, targeting the original Narset's Reversal.
Narset's Reversal + Expansion // Explosion
- 1Cast any instant or sorcery by paying its mana cost.
- 2Holding priority, cast Expansion by paying its mana cost, targeting the instant or sorcery cast in step 1.
- 3Cast Narset's Reversal by paying , copying Expansion targeting the spell cast in step 1 and returning the original Expansion to your hand.
- 4Cast Expansion by paying its mana cost, copying the copy of Expansion, targeting the copy of Expansion.
- 5Resolve the copy of Expansion, creating a copy of Expansion targeting the copy of Expansion.
- 6Repeat step 5.
Narset's Reversal + Return the Favor
- 1Cast any instant or sorcery by paying its mana cost.
- 2Holding priority, cast Return the Favor by paying plus an additional
to choose its first mode, targeting the instant or sorcery cast in step 1. - 3Cast Narset's Reversal by paying , copying Return the Favor targeting the spell cast in step 1 and returning the original Return the Favor to your hand.
- 4Cast Return the Favor by paying its mana cost, copying the copy of Return the Favor, targeting the copy of Return the Favor.
- 5Resolve the copy of Return the Favor, creating a copy of Return the Favor targeting the copy of Return the Favor.
- 6Repeat step 5.
Fire Lord Azula + Narset's Reversal + Storm-Kiln Artist
- 1Declare Fire Lord Azula as an attacker, triggering its firebending ability, adding .
- 2Cast the additional instant or sorcery by paying its mana cost.
- 3Fire Lord Azula's second ability and Storm-Kiln Artist trigger.
- 4Resolve the Fire Lord Azula trigger, copying the instant or sorcery.
- 5Storm-Kiln Artist triggers. Resolve both triggers from this step and step 3, creating two Treasure tokens.
- 6Activate two Treasures by tapping and sacrificing them, adding .
- 7Cast Narset's Reversal by paying , targeting the spell from step 2.
- 8Fire Lord Azula's second ability and Storm-Kiln Artist trigger.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Narset's Reversal
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