Stress Dream 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
Stress Dream deals 5 damage to up to one target creature. Look at the top two cards of your library. Put one of those cards into your hand and the other on the bottom of your library.
Complete guide
Stress Dream is a versatile Izzet instant that provides both creature removal and card selection. This five-mana spell ensures you can deal with a significant threat while digging through your deck to find your next answer.
Dual Utility
The spell performs two distinct actions: it deals 5 damage to a target creature and then allows you to filter the top two cards of your library. Because the card uses the phrase 'up to one target,' you can cast this even if there are no creatures on the battlefield just to access the card selection portion.
The Importance of Targets
When you cast Stress Dream, you choose whether to target a creature. If you do choose a target and that creature becomes illegal before the spell resolves (for example, if it gains Hexproof or is sacrificed), the entire spell is removed from the stack. In this scenario, you do not get to look at the top two cards of your library or put anything into your hand.
Resolving the Dream
First, Stress Dream deals 5 damage to the target creature if one was chosen. Next, you look at the top two cards of your library. You must put one into your hand and the other on the bottom of your library. If your library only contains one card, you simply put that single card into your hand.
Strategic Timing
As an instant, Stress Dream is excellent for responding to your opponent's moves. You can use it to destroy an attacking creature or cast it during your opponent's end step to fix your hand for your upcoming turn.
Interaction examples
Big ScoreIf you are looking for more resources, you can cast Stress Dream targeting an opponent's creature. After dealing 5 damage, you look at your top two cards and see Big Score. You put Big Score into your hand and the other card on the bottom, giving you the tools to ramp and draw more cards on your next turn.
Force of WillYou cast Stress Dream targeting a creature. In response, your opponent casts Force of Will by exiling a blue card and paying 1 life. Because Force of Will counters Stress Dream, the entire spell is countered. The target creature takes no damage, and you do not look at the top of your library.
If the battlefield is empty but you desperately need a card, you can cast Stress Dream without choosing a target. Since no target was chosen, the spell will resolve normally, allowing you to look at the top two cards of your library and put one into your hand.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Stress Dream
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You don't have to choose a target for Stress Dream. However, if you do and the target creature is an illegal target as Stress Dream tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't look at any cards in your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If there is only one card in your library, you put it into your hand.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Stress Dream
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.