Rule evolution

Rule 701.23f

Previously numbered 701.15f, 701.17f, 701.18f, 701.19f.

Earliest archived Rules release: 2013-05-01 · 3 wording revisions · 4 renumberings

  1. Added701.15fDetails
    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, "If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead." Veteran Explorer says "When Veteran Explorer dies, each player may search his or her library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield. Then each player who searched his or her library this way shuffles it." An opponent who searched the top four cards of his or her library because of Veteran Explorer's ability would shuffle the entire library.
  2. Wording changed701.15fDetails
    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Any abilities that trigger on a library being searched will trigger. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, "If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead." Veteran Explorer says "When Veteran Explorer dies, each player may search his or her library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield. Then each player who searched his or her library this way shuffles it." An opponent who searched the top four cards of his or her library because of Veteran Explorer's ability would shuffle the entire library.
  3. Renumbered701.15f → 701.17fDetails

    Previously
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    Then
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Any abilities that trigger on a library being searched will trigger. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, “If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead.” Veteran Explorer says “When Veteran Explorer dies, each player may search his or her library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield. Then each player who searched his or her library this way shuffles it.” An opponent who searched the top four cards of his or her library because of Veteran Explorer’s ability would shuffle the entire library.
  4. Wording changed & Renumbered701.17f → 701.18fDetails

    Previously
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    Then
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Any abilities that trigger on a library being searched will trigger. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, "If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead." Veteran Explorer says "When Veteran Explorer dies, each player may search histheir or her library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield. Then each player who searched histheir or her library this way shuffles it." An opponent who searched the top four cards of histheir or her library because of Veteran Explorer's ability would shuffle the entire library.
  5. Renumbered701.18f → 701.19fDetails

    Previously
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    Then
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Any abilities that trigger on a library being searched will trigger. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, “If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead.” Veteran Explorer says “When Veteran Explorer dies, each player may search their library for up to two basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield. Then each player who searched their library this way shuffles it.” An opponent who searched the top four cards of their library because of Veteran Explorer’s ability would shuffle the entire library.
  6. Wording changed701.19fDetails
    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Any abilities that trigger on a library being searched will trigger. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, "If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead." Veteran Explorer says "When Veteranthis Explorercreature dies, each player may search their library for up to two basic land cards, and put them onto the battlefield, then shuffle." Then each player who searched their library this way shuffles it." An opponent who searched the top four cards of their library because of Veteran Explorer's ability would shuffle the entire library.
  7. Renumbered701.19f → 701.23fDetails

    Previously
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    Then
    7. Additional Rules
    701. Keyword Actions

    If searching a zone is replaced with searching a portion of that zone, any other instructions that refer to searching the zone still apply. Any abilities that trigger on a library being searched will trigger. Example: Aven Mindcensor says, in part, “If an opponent would search a library, that player searches the top four cards of that library instead.” Veteran Explorer says “When this creature dies, each player may search their library for up to two basic land cards, put them onto the battlefield, then shuffle.” An opponent who searched the top four cards of their library because of Veteran Explorer’s ability would shuffle the entire library.

Current in the latest available Rules
Unchanged since 2026-08-07.