Abstract Performance

Mana Value

6

Rarity

rare

Abstract Performance

Sorcery

{5}{U}
Color Identity: U

Card Text

Exile the top four cards of your library in a face-down pile, then exile the top four cards of your library in a face-up pile. An opponent chooses one of those piles. Put that pile into your graveyard. Look at the cards in the other pile. You may cast a spell from among them without paying its mana cost. Put the rest into your hand.

Set

Secrets of Strixhaven Commander

(SOC)

EDHREC Rank

#18,357

You choose which opponent chooses the pile while resolving Abstract Performance.

Wotc — March 20, 2026

If you cast a spell "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those to cast the spell.

Wotc — March 20, 2026

If the spell has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.

Wotc — March 20, 2026

You cast the spell while Abstract Performance is resolving and still on the stack. You can't wait to cast it later in the turn. Timing restrictions based on its types are ignored.

Wotc — March 20, 2026

You can't look at the cards in the face-down pile until you're instructed to do so or until they're moved to the graveyard (at which point they'll be face up).

Wotc — March 20, 2026

If you have fewer than eight cards in your library, the second pile will be smaller than the first. If you have fewer than five cards in your library, only the face-down pile will have cards in it at all, and the second pile will be empty. In that case, your opponent will probably choose to put the pile with cards in it into your graveyard.

Wotc — March 20, 2026