Predictive Preparations 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
Put a +1/+1 counter on each of one or two target creatures. Flashback(You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Complete guide
Predictive Preparations is a versatile white sorcery that allows you to bolster your board presence twice. By utilizing the Flashback mechanic, you can ensure your creatures stay ahead of the curve even after the spell has been cast once.
Strengthening the Ranks
Predictive Preparations allows you to choose either one or two target creatures to receive a +1/+1 counter. Because the spell specifies 'one or two target creatures,' you must declare your targets as you cast the spell. If you choose two targets and one becomes illegal before the spell resolves, the remaining legal target will still receive its counter.
The Flashback Mechanic
Flashback is an alternative cost that allows you to cast Predictive Preparations from your graveyard for {3}{W}. When you cast a spell this way, it is moved from the graveyard to the stack. Regardless of whether the spell resolves, is countered, or is removed from the stack by other means, it will be exiled instead of returning to the graveyard.
Timing and Costs
Even when casting Predictive Preparations for its Flashback cost, you must follow normal timing rules for a sorcery. This means you can only cast it during your main phase when the stack is empty. Additionally, while the total cost paid might be {3}{W}, the spell's mana value remains 2, derived from its original mana cost of {1}{W}.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is attempting to cast Predictive Preparations at instant speed because it is in the graveyard. Remember that Flashback does not change the card's type or timing restrictions. Another error is forgetting that if the spell is countered while being cast via Flashback, it still goes to the exile zone rather than back to the graveyard.
Interaction examples
Sevinne's ReclamationIf you have both cards in your graveyard, you can cast Sevinne's Reclamation for its Flashback cost to return a small permanent to the battlefield and copy the spell. While these resolve, you can then cast Predictive Preparations from your graveyard using its own Flashback cost to put counters on the creatures you just returned. Note that both spells will be exiled after they finish resolving.
Open the ArmoryWhile Open the Armory allows you to search for Auras or Equipment, it cannot find Predictive Preparations because it is a Sorcery, not an Aura. However, you can use Open the Armory to find an Equipment to further buff a creature that you previously targeted with Predictive Preparations, maximizing the impact of that creature's increased power and toughness.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Predictive Preparations
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it's legal to do so before any other player can take any actions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card's type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
"Flashback [cost]" means "You may cast this card from your graveyard if the resulting spell is an instant or sorcery spell by paying [cost] rather than paying its mana cost" and "If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack."
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Predictive Preparations
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.