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Theme
Swerve image 1
Shards of Alara (ALA | #200 | 2008-10-03)

Swerve

UR
Instant
Artist: Karl Kopinski

Change the target of target spell with a single target.

RU
$0.44 cheapest print

Prices

Set # Treatment Finish Price (USD)
Shards of Alara 200 Regular Nonfoil $0.44
Shards of Alara 200 Regular Foil $1.22

Price History

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Rulings

2010-03-01 wotc
An Aura spell on the stack targets the object or player which it will enchant upon entering. Thus, an Aura spell is a "spell with a single target", which means you may use Swerve to change that target. Doing so will cause it to enter enchanting the new target rather than the original one.
2008-10-01 wotc
You don't choose the new target for the spell until Swerve 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, the target isn't changed. It doesn't matter if the original target of that spell has somehow become illegal.
2008-10-01 wotc
Swerve targets only the spell whose target will be changed. It doesn't directly affect the original target of that spell or the new target of that spell.
2008-10-01 wotc
If you cast Swerve on a spell that targets a spell on the stack (like Cancel does, for example), you can't change that spell's target to itself. You can, however, change that spell's target to Swerve. If you do, that spell won't resolve when it tries to resolve because Swerve will have left the stack by then.
2008-10-01 wotc
If a spell targets the same player or object multiple times, you can't target it with Swerve.
2008-10-01 wotc
If a spell targets multiple things, you can't target it with Swerve, even if all but one of those targets has become illegal.

Format Legality

Standard Not Legal
Future Not Legal
Historic Not Legal
Timeless Not Legal
Gladiator Not Legal
Pioneer Not Legal
Modern Legal
Legacy Legal
Pauper Not Legal
Vintage Legal
Penny Not Legal
Commander Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Standardbrawl Not Legal
Brawl Not Legal
Alchemy Not Legal
Paupercommander Not Legal
Duel Legal
Oldschool Not Legal
Premodern Not Legal
Predh Legal