Shove AsideHow it works & interactions with other cards

Breaking Sorcery Timing

Usually, a Sorcery can only be cast during your main phase when the stack is empty. However, Shove Aside has a static ability that checks the game state: if you were not the player who took the first turn of the game, you can cast it any time you could cast an Instant. This advantage lasts for the entire game, allowing you to react to your opponent's plays during their turn.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you choose a target creature or planeswalker and pay one red mana. Once Shove Aside resolves, it deals 3 damage to that specific target. If the target is a creature and has damage marked on it greater than or equal to its toughness, it is destroyed. If the target is a planeswalker, it loses 3 loyalty counters, which may cause it to be put into the graveyard.

The Starting Player Rule

A common mistake is thinking the 'starting player' changes based on who won the last round in a match. In Magic, the starting player is the player who took the very first turn of the current game. If you were on the 'draw' at the beginning of the game, Shove Aside effectively functions as an instant forever in that specific game.

Strategic Usage

You should play Shove Aside to pick off early-game utility creatures or to finish off a planeswalker that has just used a minus ability. If you have the flash privilege, wait until your opponent's end step or in response to an equip ability to maximize your mana usage and disrupt their plans.

Interaction examples

Instant Speed Interaction

Vandalblast

If you weren't the starting player, you can respond to an opponent's play at any time. If your opponent casts Vandalblast to destroy your artifacts, you can cast Shove Aside in response to kill their creature before the artifact destruction resolves. Normally, Vandalblast and Shove Aside are both sorceries, but Shove Aside's unique ability lets it jump the queue.

Discarding and Flash

Faithless Looting

Imagine you cast Faithless Looting during your turn and draw Shove Aside. Even if it is your opponent's turn later, as long as you weren't the starting player, you can cast that Shove Aside immediately to kill a creature they just played. The sorcery speed of Faithless Looting doesn't restrict how you use Shove Aside later in the round.