Split Second

Rules Reverse Engineering

Oh, Hi Mark, continuing my quest to identify the 2% of rules that could not be reverse engineered from cards, while I'm sure the stack could be figured out (counterspells don't work without it and split second referencesit specifically) what about special actions? I feel like morph (and all other face down mechanics) would be assumed to use the stack.

The key to finding the 2% is figuring out what rules are never stated or implied on cards. We don’t ever talk about layers, so it’s a hard thing to intuit.

Mechanics Morph Rules Split Second The Stack

Split Card Limitations

Do you think we'll ever see a split card with split second?

Split second is wordy and split cards don’t have a lot of space for rules text, so I don’t think it’s likely.

Rules Split Cards Split Second

Requesting Split Second

can i request split second come back to standard?

You may.

Split Second Standard

Mechanical Possibilities

Could activated or triggered abilities have split second?

I don’t believe so, but not sure.

Split Second Triggered Abilities

Spells Bypassing The Stack

“We have spells with split second, which function similarly”True, but they’re slower than game actions. Because you can respond to a split second spell WITH a game. I can’t respond to my opponent playing a land by flipping a morph.

I’m skeptical we’ll make a spell that doesn’t use the stack.

Lands Morph Spells Split Second The Stack

Speed of Spells

Will we ever have spells that resolve at game-action speed? As in, spells that don’t use the stack at all, like playing a land or flipping a morph

There are spells with split second. They use the stack, but you can’t respond to them, so they function similarly to what you’re describing.

Lands Morph Spells Split Second The Stack

Uncounterable Keyword Suggestion

Do you think "This spell is uncounterable" could be keyworded (uncounterable-cast?)? It shows up not infrequently, and now, I think there might be some value to it. One of the feel bad moments with battles is when they are countered after you win them - you did the work but you don't get the reward. It feels like the battle should be countered when its front is cast or not at all. Though maybe split second works better there and should have a comeback.

It’s just used frequently enough to warrant a keyword. It’s also not used in a place where we need to save the text.

Battles Keywords Split Second

Surge of Salvation Query

Is there any reason surge of salvation from MOM doesn't have split second? Its art not matching its card text is really triggering my OCD

Premier sets don’t use one of mechanics (meaning only one, or a small handful of cards in the set, has it) that aren’t evergreen or deciduous.

Art Deciduous Evergreen Mechanics Premier Sets Premier Sets Split Second Surge Surge of Salvation

Just a Second Explained

Is Just a Second a superset of Split Second? Or can I cast spells as long as I don't move permanents on the battlefield?

Just a second is a superset of split second. All the restrictions of split second are true of just a second.

Don't Move Permanents Spells Split Second

Return of Split Second

"I do think we’ll see split second again, but more likely in a supplemental set than a premier set" For what is worth, we just had Sudden Edict.

True.

Premier Sets Split Second Sudden Edict

Split Second's Storm Scale

Split second has an EIGHT on the storm scale! WHY IS IT AN EIGHT?!? Is it a power level issue? Surely not! Things that high on the scale for power concerns are mechanics like DELVE AND AFFINITY!! Does it lead to unfun gameplay? Maybe for the blue player, but either way, it’s not close to as bad as fateseal or buyback, which are ALSO both eights! Is it too convoluted? Opalescence effects are famously confusing even for entrenched players, AND ANIMATING ENCHANTMENTS IS ONLY AT SEVEN!!!! Is it too bland or niche? Maybe it’s rather unassuming, but is it really as boring as ABSORB? Is it really as useless as FATEFUL HOUR?!? Honestly there’s a lot of storm scale ratings that seem strange to me, but split second holds a special place in my heart, which is why I’m asking about this mechanic specifically.

The mechanic has baggage that might not be apparent to you. For example, it confused a lot of players and had some play design issues. I do think we’ll see split second again, but more likely in a supplemental set than a premier set (and that’s what the Storm Scale measures).

Absorb Absorb Affinity Blue Buyback Delve Enchantments Fateful hour Fateseal Game Play Mechanics Opalescence Play Design Power Level Premier Sets Split Second Storm Scale

Split Second Card at Common Level

There has never been split second card printed at common is the ability squarely outside of the scope of common or is it just something that hasn’t happened yet? If it is reasonable can I request Sudden Edict, I would really love to play it in pauper.

I think we decided it was not a common mechanic for a premier set. Maybe in a Modern Horizons.

Mechanics Modern Horizons Pauper Premier Sets Split Second Sudden Edict

Possibility of Split Second Mechanic

If or when: "Until end of turn, you may cast the next spell as though it has split second."

If.My gut is the rules don’t want you adding split second to cards that don’t have it because it could cause weird interactions, but just a guess on my part.

If/When Mechanics Rules Split Second

Storm Scale: Split Second

Where is split second on the storm scale? I feel like it's a decently useful mechanic for niche scenarios

I’d call it an 8.

Mechanics Split Second Storm Scale

Return of Split Second

If or when: the return of Split Second ???

If. It was but confusing and had its share of haters.

If/When Split Second

Pants Removal and Stack Importance

If the "in response I remove my pants" story is true, does that mean removing clothing uses the stack? If so, are players unable to take off layers when a card with split second is on the stack?
Mark, I need to know if I can take my pants off when somebody plays a land.

Clothing removal does not use the stack. Another sentence I didn’t expect to write.

Lands Split Second Story / Lore The Stack

Art Interpretation of Phthisis

The art for Phthisis has a bright line going through it to presumably symbolize the passage of time, it being a suspend card, but I'm curious, at one point was it a Split Second card? Kind of reassembles the art direction on those.

Go look at all the suspend cards. The art gag is that you see the spell crossing between time periods.

Art Phthisis Split Second Suspend Suspend

Split Second on Storm Scale

Where is split second on the storm scale?

I’d say an 8.

Split Second Storm Scale

Favorite Mechanics or Cards

I feel like a lot of people who say you’ve only done bad for the game don’t realize you’re probably behind some of their favorite mechanics or cards too. For a change of pace, can you list some beloved mechanics or cards you’re responsible for?

Here are the Magic mechanics I’ve had a hand in creating: Absorb, Addendum, Affinity, Aftermath, Aura Swap, Battle Cry, Bolster, Champion, Changeling, Cipher, Companion, Contraptions, Crew (Vehicles), Dash, Deathtouch, Delve, Dredge, Embalm, Energy, Entwine, Evoke, Exert, Exploit, Fabricate, Fateful Hour, Fateseal, Ferocious, Flashback, Flip, Forecast, Fortify, Frenzy, Gotcha, Graft, Gravestorm, Heroic, Hexproof, Host/Augment, Hybrid Mana, Imprint, Infect, Intimidate, Kicker, Landfall, Lifelink, Living Weapon, Madness, Manifest, Mentor, Modular, Monstrosity, Morbid, Morph, Multikicker, Mutate, Ninjitsu, Phyrexian Mana, Poisonous, Populate, Proliferate, Prowl, Raid, Rally, Reach, Recover, Reinforce, Retrace, Ripple, Shroud, Soulbond, Splice, Split Cards, Split Second, Suspend, Transfigure, Transform, Typecycling, Undying, Unearth, Vanishing and Wither.

Absorb Absorb Addendum Affinity Aftermath Aura Swap Battle Cry Battle Cry Bolster Champion Changeling Cipher Companion Contraptions Crew Dash Deathtouch Delve Dredge Dredge Embalm Entwine Evoke Exert Exploit Fabricate Fabricate Fateful hour Fateseal Ferocious Flashback Forecast Fortify Fortify Frenzy Graft Gravestorm Gravestorm Heroic Hexproof Hybrid Imprint Infect Intimidate Kicker Landfall Lifelink Lifelink Living Weapon Madness Mana Manifest Mechanics Mentor Modular Monstrosity Morbid Morph Morph Mutate Ninjitsu Phyrexian Poisonous Populate Proliferate Prowl Raid Rally Rally Recover Reinforce Retrace Ripple Shroud Soulbond Splice Split Cards Split Second Suspend Suspend Transfigure Transform Undying Unearth Unearth Vanishing Vanishing Vehicles Wither Your Hand

Split Second's Storm Scale Position

Where is Split Second on the Storm Scale?

Probably a 7.

Split Second Storm Scale