Can we get rid of 401.5 now? It's terrible.
It's a pet peeve of mine, but I call 401.5 the worst rule in Magic.
My understanding of it's history is that it was created when people discovered awkward corner cases involving effects that allow people to draw cards as a mana ability, like Chromatic Sphere, combined with Elvish Spirit Guide. Well now Selvala, Explorer Returned exists, and causes the same problems all rolled into one card.
If Selvala isn't a problem, why do we need 401.5? Can we just get rid of it now? Pretty please?
-Greg Schwartz
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401.5. If a spell or ability causes a card to be drawn while another spell is being cast, the drawn card is kept face down until that spell becomes cast (see rule 601.2h). While face down, it’s considered to have no characteristics. The same is true with relation to another ability being activated. If an effect allows or instructs a player to reveal the card as it’s being drawn, it’s revealed after the spell becomes cast or the ability becomes activated.
Selvala, Explorer Returned
1GW
Creature — Elf Scout
Parley — Tap: Each player reveals the top card of his or her library. For each nonland card revealed this way, add Green to your mana pool and you gain 1 life. Then each player draws a card.
2 / 4
Chromatic Sphere
1
Artifact
1, Tap, Sacrifice Chromatic Sphere: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Draw a card.
Elvish Spirit Guide
2G
Creature — Elf Spirit
Exile Elvish Spirit Guide from your hand: Add Green to your mana pool.