Select for Inspection 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
Return target tapped creature to its owner's hand. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
Complete guide
Select for Inspection is a versatile blue instant that provides both tempo and card selection for a single mana. By bouncing a tapped threat and setting up your next draw, you can disrupt an opponent's momentum while refining your own strategy.
What It Does
Select for Inspection allows you to return a creature that is currently tapped to its owner's hand. Immediately following this effect, you perform a Scry 1, allowing you to look at the top card of your library and choose whether to keep it there or put it on the bottom.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, you cast the spell and choose a legal target, which must be a tapped creature. Upon resolution, the game checks if the target is still tapped and valid. If it is, the creature is moved to its owner's hand. Finally, you look at the top card of your library to complete the Scry 1 action.
Common Mistakes
The most common error is forgetting that the target must stay tapped. If an opponent uses an effect to untap the creature in response to your spell, the target becomes illegal. In this scenario, the entire spell fails to resolve, meaning you do not get to Scry 1.
When to Play It
This spell is most effective during your opponent's turn after they have declared attackers, or during your own turn if they have creatures tapped from previous actions. It is a great way to punish aggressive plays while ensuring you draw into the answers you need.
Interaction examples
Your opponent attacks with a powerful creature, which causes it to become tapped. In the post-combat main phase, you cast Select for Inspection. The creature returns to their hand, forcing them to spend mana to cast it again, and you Scry 1 to improve your next draw.
CounterspellYou cast Select for Inspection targeting a tapped creature. Your opponent responds by casting Counterspell targeting your spell. Since Counterspell resolves first, Select for Inspection is moved to the graveyard without returning the creature or allowing you to Scry.
An Offer You Can't RefuseWhen you cast Select for Inspection, your opponent attempts to stop it with An Offer You Can't Refuse. Because Select for Inspection is a noncreature spell, it is countered. You will not bounce the creature or scry, but you will create two Treasure tokens instead.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Select for Inspection
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the target creature becomes untapped or otherwise becomes an illegal target before Select for Inspection resolves, the spell doesn't resolve. The creature remains on the battlefield and you won't scry 1.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Select for Inspection
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.