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Untimely Malfunction — Rulings, Legalities & Similar Cards | MTGAssist

Untimely Malfunction

MScore: 9.9/10

$6.00 Foil $6.90

Untimely Malfunction

{1} {R}

Instantuncommon

Choose one —

• Destroy target artifact.

• Change the target of target spell or ability with a single target.

• One or two target creatures can't block this turn.

"No! This worked perfectly in the lab!"

Illustrated by Jarel Threat · Duskmourn: House of Horror · #161

Rulings for Untimely Malfunction

3

2024-09-20
You don't choose the new target for the spell or ability targeted with Untimely Malfunction's second mode until Untimely Malfunction resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can't change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn't changed. It doesn't matter if the original target has somehow become illegal itself.

2024-09-20
If a spell or ability targets multiple things, you can't target it with Untimely Malfunction's second mode, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal.

2024-09-20
The effect of Untimely Malfunction's last mode won't cause creatures that are already blocking to stop blocking.

Format Legality

15

Duellegal

Brawllegal

Cards Similar to Untimely Malfunction

Penny

not legal

Predhnot legal

Futurelegal

Legacylegal

Modernlegal

Paupernot legal

Alchemylegal

Pioneerlegal

Vintagelegal

Historiclegal

Standardlegal

Timelesslegal

Commanderlegal

Gladiatorlegal

Old Schoolnot legal

Premodernnot legal

Oathbreakerlegal

Standard Brawllegal

Pauper Commandernot legal

Cards Similar to Untimely Malfunction

Destructive Tampering

Destructive Tampering

Choose one —

• Destroy target artifact.

• Creatures without flying can't block this turn.

Destructive Tampering

Destructive Tampering

Choose one —

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Hearth Charm

Choose one —

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• Attacking creatures get +1/+0 until end of turn.

• Target creature with power 2 or less can't be blocked this turn.

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Choose one —

• Destroy target artifact creature.

• Attacking creatures get +1/+0 until end of turn.

• Target creature with power 2 or less can't be blocked this turn.

Reroute

Change the target of target activated ability with a single target. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)

Draw a card.

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Change the target of target activated ability with a single target. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)

Draw a card.

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Choose one —

• Abrade deals 3 damage to target creature.

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Abrade

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Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)

Choose one —

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As an additional cost to cast this spell, pay 5 life or pay .

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Instant — Lesson

As an additional cost to cast this spell, pay 5 life or pay .

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