CR / RELEASE 2026-07-24
Rule 355.9
A target is a valid choice if it meets all of the following requirements:
Rule hierarchy
Direct children
355.9.aIt is a permanent or rune on the board, a spell or ability on the chain, a player or zone, or specified explicitly or implicitly as being in some other zone. e.g., “Kill a unit” targets a unit on the board. e.g., “Recycle a unit from your trash” targets a unit card in your trash.355.9.bIt meets all targeting restrictions. e.g., A unit is a valid target for a spell that refers to a “unit at a battlefield,” “enemy unit,” “unit you control,” or “unit with Might 4 or greater” only if it meets the appropriate criteria. e.g. A unit that reads “I can’t be chosen by enemy spells or abilities.” is not a valid target for any enemy spell or ability, even if it meets other targeting restrictions.355.9.cIt is not the spell or ability itself. e.g., A spell that says “Counter a spell” cannot target itself. e.g., An ability of a permanent can target that permanent, because abilities and their sources are separate objects.