Research the Deep — ruling 1

If you win the clash, the spell moves from the stack to your hand as part of its resolution. It never hits the graveyard. If you don't win the clash, the spell is put into the graveyard from the stack as normal.

Research the Deep — ruling 2

If the spell is countered or doesn't resolve for any reason (for example, if all its targets become illegal), none of its effects happen. There is no clash, and the spell card won't be returned to your hand.

Research the Deep : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Research the Deep 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

Draw a card. Clash with an opponent. If you win, return Research the Deep to its owner's hand. (Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library, then puts that card on their choice of the top or bottom. A player wins if their card had a greater mana value.)

How it works : Research the Deep

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 1, 2008· Wizards of the Coast
If you win the clash, the spell moves from the stack to your hand as part of its resolution. It never hits the graveyard. If you don't win the clash, the spell is put into the graveyard from the stack as normal.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 1, 2008· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell is countered or doesn't resolve for any reason (for example, if all its targets become illegal), none of its effects happen. There is no clash, and the spell card won't be returned to your hand.
No other card is named in this ruling.