Art by Ron Spencer · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast · image via Scryfall
Selected printing · USD
$0.12
checked Jun 14, 2026 · Scryfall
Release the Ants
{1}{R} · Instant
Release the Ants deals 1 damage to any target. Clash with an opponent. If you win, return Release the Ants to its owner's hand. (Each clashing player reveals the top card of their library, then puts that card on their choice of the top or bottom. A player wins if their card had a greater mana value.)
Rulings (2)
Apr 1, 2008 · If the spell is countered or doesn't resolve for any reason (for example, if all its targets become illegal), none of its effects happen. There is no clash, and the spell card won't be returned to your hand.
Apr 1, 2008 · If you win the clash, the spell moves from the stack to your hand as part of its resolution. It never hits the graveyard. If you don't win the clash, the spell is put into the graveyard from the stack as normal.
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
ModernLegal
PioneerNot legal
StandardNot legal
PauperNot legal
PremodernNot legal
cEDHLegal
Where it’s played now
Inclusion by archetype · Legacy
% of archetype's lists running it · last 30 days · n=86 decks
| Archetype | Format | Inclusion | Copies | Decks (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show and Tell | Legacy | 2.3% | 1× | 86 |
Price
Release the Ants — price trend
Daily cheapest printing · USD · last 90 days · n=2 snapshots
$0.12
Jun 13, 2026 · $0.12Jun 14, 2026 · $0.12