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Alter Reality, art by Justin Sweet
Art by Justin Sweet · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast · image via Scryfall
Selected printing · USD
$1.53
checked Jun 14, 2026 · Scryfall
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Alter Reality

{1}{U} · Instant

Change the text of target spell or permanent by replacing all instances of one color word with another. (This effect lasts indefinitely.) Flashback {1}{U} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Rulings (13)

Oct 4, 2004 · Changing the text of a spell will not allow you to change the targets of the spell because the targets were chosen when the spell was cast. The text change will (probably) cause it to be countered since the targets will be illegal.

Oct 4, 2004 · It can’t change a word to the same word. It must be a different word.

Oct 4, 2004 · Alters all occurrences of the chosen word in the text box and the type line of the given card.

Oct 4, 2004 · If you change the text of a spell which is to become a permanent, the permanent will retain the text change until the effect wears off.

Oct 4, 2004 · You choose the words to change on resolution.

Oct 4, 2004 · It only changes what is printed on the card (or set on a token when it was created or set by a copy effect). It will not change any effects that are on the permanent.

Oct 4, 2004 · Can target a card with no appropriate words on it, or even one with no words at all.

Mar 19, 2021 · You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast.

Mar 19, 2021 · “Flashback [cost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying [cost] rather than paying its mana cost” and “If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack.”

Mar 19, 2021 · If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it’s legal to do so before any other player can take any actions.

Mar 19, 2021 · A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way.

Mar 19, 2021 · To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was.

Mar 19, 2021 · You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card’s type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery.

LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
ModernNot legal
PioneerNot legal
StandardNot legal
PauperNot legal
PremodernLegal
cEDHLegal

Where it’s played now

Inclusion by archetype · Premodern

% of archetype's lists running it · last 30 days · n=37 decks
ArchetypeFormatInclusionCopiesDecks (n)
ReplenishPremodern2.7%37
Data as of Jun 14, 2026 · MTGO + papercasthaven.com

Price

Alter Reality — price trend

Daily cheapest printing · USD · last 90 days · n=2 snapshots
Data as of Jun 14, 2026 · Scryfallcasthaven.com

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