Time ReversalHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

When Time Reversal resolves, every player simultaneously shuffles their current hand and their entire graveyard into their library. Once the libraries are randomized, each player draws a fresh hand of seven cards. Finally, as the last part of its resolution, Time Reversal exiles itself instead of going to the graveyard.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, players move all cards from their hands and graveyards to their libraries and shuffle. Second, starting with the player whose turn it is and proceeding in turn order, each player draws seven cards. Finally, Time Reversal is moved to the exile zone. This sequence is important because any 'whenever you draw a card' triggers will wait until the entire spell finished resolving before being put on the stack.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to interact with cards in the graveyard after the spell has started resolving; once it begins, no player can cast spells or activate abilities until the draw is complete. Additionally, remember that Time Reversal exiles itself. You cannot use 'regrowth' effects to bring it back because it never hits the graveyard.

When to Play It

This spell is best utilized when your hand is empty or contains low-impact cards, or when your opponents have carefully cultivated large hands. It is also an excellent tool to combat graveyard-based strategies by shuffling their resources back into their library.

Interaction examples

Resetting the Board State

Raise the Palisade

Suppose you cast Raise the Palisade choosing Elves, returning a swarm of non-Elf creatures to your opponent's hand. If you follow this up with Time Reversal, those creatures are shuffled into the library, effectively removing them from the game state more permanently than a simple bounce effect.

Refueling Your Hand

Distant Melody

If you cast Distant Melody but find only land cards, your hand might be weak despite having many cards. Casting Time Reversal allows you to shuffle those lands away and draw a neutral seven cards, potentially finding the win conditions you missed earlier.