Rule evolution
Rule 304.5
Earliest archived Rules release: 2009-10-01 · 3 wording revisions · 0 renumberings
Earliest archived Rules release304.5Details
If text states that a player may do something "any time he or she could cast an instant," it means only that the player must have priority. The player doesn't need to have an instant he or she could actually cast. Effects that would prevent that player from casting a spell or casting an instant don't affect the player's capability to perform that action (unless the action is actually casting a spell or casting an instant).
Wording changed304.5Details
If text states that a player may do something "any time he or she could cast an instant," it means only that the player must have priority. The player doesn't need to have an instant he or she could actually cast. Effects that would
preventpreclude that player from casting a spell or casting an instant don't affect the player's capability to perform that action (unless the action is actually casting a spell or casting an instant).Wording changed304.5Details
If text states that a player may do something "any time
hetheyor shecould cast an instant," it means only that the player must have priority. The player doesn't need to have an instanthetheyor shecouldactuallycast. Effects that would preclude that player from casting a spell or casting an instant don't affect the player's capability to perform that action (unless the action is actually casting a spell or casting an instant).Wording changed304.5Details
If text states that a player may do something "any time they could cast an instant" or "only as an instant," it means only that the player must have priority. The player doesn't need to have an instant card they could cast. Effects that would preclude that player from casting
a spell or castingan instant spell don't affect the player's capability to perform that action (unless the action is actually castinga spell or castingan instant spell).