Vesuvan MistHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Vesuvan Mist targets a single permanent that is neither a land nor a token. Its primary function is to bounce that card back to its owner's hand. If you pay the additional kicker cost of {1}{B}, you also 'conjure' a duplicate of that specific card directly into your hand. This duplicate is a new digital object that perpetually gains 'prismatic', meaning you can spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast it.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast the spell and choose a valid target. If you pay the kicker, the spell is considered 'kicked' on the stack. Upon resolution, the target is checked for legality. If it is still a valid nontoken, nonland permanent, it is returned to its owner's hand. Immediately after, if the kicker was paid, a copy of that card is generated in your hand. This happens even if the original card moves to a zone other than the hand during resolution (like a commander returning to the command zone).

Common Pitfalls

The most important restriction is that Vesuvan Mist cannot target tokens or lands. If you try to bounce a 2/2 Zombie token, the spell cannot even be cast. Additionally, because the conjured card is a duplicate of the 'card', it does not retain any counters, Auras, or temporary effects that were on the permanent while it was on the battlefield. It is a fresh copy of the card as it exists in its printed (or Oracle) state.

When to Play It

This card is best used as a tempo play to remove a problematic blocker or a high-value permanent. In the late game, the kicker allows you to gain access to your opponent's best threats. Because it is an instant, it is perfect for responding to removal or for clearing the way right before your combat phase.

Interaction examples

Bouncing and Copying

You target your opponent's creature and pay {2}{U}{B}. The creature returns to their hand, and a copy of that creature appears in your hand. Because the copy has prismatic, you can use any color of mana to cast it on your next turn.

Interrupted by Countermagic

Counterspell

If you cast Vesuvan Mist and your opponent responds with Counterspell, the Mist is moved to the graveyard before it resolves. Since it never resolves, the target permanent stays on the battlefield and you do not conjure a duplicate, even if you paid the kicker cost.

Strategic Denial

An Offer You Can't Refuse

If an opponent attempts to destroy your Vesuvan Mist with An Offer You Can't Refuse, your spell will be countered. You will receive two Treasure tokens instead of the bounce effect or the conjured card. This illustrates that the conjure effect is entirely dependent on the spell successfully resolving.