Can Riftsweeper sweep command zones?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on July 7, 2013, 2:40 p.m. by mhphillip
I got some questions about Riftsweeper . It works on "target face-up card that's removed from the game." Is the command zone removed from the game? The MTG commander rules seem to say it is. "Before the game begins, each player removes his or her commander from the game."
To me it seems overpowered to be able to shuffle a commander into someones deck from the command zone for 2 mana.
Source for MTG commander rules:
https://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=magic/rules/edh
Epochalyptik says... #3
Riftsweeper targets an exiled card (the old phrase for exile was "remove from the game"). The command zone is not exile, and Riftsweeper can't affect cards in exile.
July 7, 2013 2:57 p.m.
Doubt it. From what I know, "removed from the game" is another way of saying exiled, or in the exile zone. The command zone is its own thing, it has nothing to do with the exile zone. I could be wrong but like I said, I doubt that's the way it works.
July 7, 2013 2:57 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
I'm not sure why this question was moved from the Q&A, either. Seems like a legitimate Q&A question.
July 7, 2013 3:44 p.m.
krysto2012 says... #7
It seems to me this is intended to sweep out Suspended cards as well as cards specifically exiled face-up through effects, ie. cards that are visibly stored on other cards. Whether or not this effects imprint and flickered cards is also an interesting question.
July 7, 2013 4:02 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #8
It does. Imprint abilities only have an effect if the imprinted cards are in exile. EOT return from exile cards are only returned to the battlefield if they are in exile.
July 7, 2013 4:05 p.m.
Thanks for the help, I didn't know that exile was the same as "removed from the game." To make sure I understand Riftsweeper it would work on a card exiled by Fiend Hunter because it is face up, but not Unmake because it is face down?
July 7, 2013 4:27 p.m.
magic292929 says... #12
According to my Card which is in Future Sight. Riftsweeper Recieves a Pardon or Errata. Reason is cause Exile cards are removed to the Exile Zone Face Up and Abilities like Suspended or Printed would Remove Card from game and the Updated rulings are those cards are Face Down. So Riftsweeper does say on the text Removes from Game mine does anyway from Future Sight. However though it also says Face Up which according to the Errata ruling on Card Text. This Ability can be played as an Exile. I have not seen any official Report on the Card as of yet that says it can be used also for Cards removed from Game however I believe their is some cards that would Exile a card Face Down in that case it's Exile Ability is changed to Removed from Game. Cause of the same Rule well if the Card receives an Errata anyways as far as I know.
July 2, 2014 3:58 a.m.
magic292929 says... #13
Imprinted* See even I make mistakes. We all do that is why we are Human.
July 2, 2014 3:59 a.m.
magic292929 says... #14
"Imprint" XD This many mistakes and I should be a shoe in at Wizards of the Coast. haha
July 2, 2014 4:05 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #15
@magic292929: First, please check the post dates before replying to a thread. This thread was resolved a year ago.
Second, please use proper capitalization. Improper capitalization makes it exceedingly difficult to read your writing.
Third, I don't quite know what you're saying.
The official rules text for any card is always on Gatherer. This is Riftsweeper 's current Oracle text:
When Riftsweeper enters the battlefield, choose target face-up exiled card. Its owner shuffles it into his or her library.
Cards are treated, played, and judged by their Oracle text, regardless of what's actually printed on the card. Your Riftsweeper has the above text regardless of whether it's from Future Sight or from Modern Masters.
Additionally, "remove from the game" is an obsolete term. It has been updated to "exile." This is true for all instances of "remove from the game." RFG does not exist anymore.
406.7. Previously, the exile zone was called the "removed-from-the-game zone." Cards that were printed with text that "removes [an object] from the game" exiles that object. The same is true for cards printed with text that "sets [an object] aside." Cards that were printed with that text have received errata in the Oracle card reference.
Now, it sounds like you're trying to say that suspend and imprint exile the cards face down, which is wrong. Never have these mechanics received any errata to turn the affected cards face down. They are always face up.
It sounds like you're saying Riftsweeper 's ability can be used to exile things, which is completely incorrect.
BossLeiser says... #2
Epochalyptik can probably shed some light on this. Now that you mention it, I'm curious about this myself.
July 7, 2013 2:53 p.m.