The Battlefield

Dramatic Reversal
Isochron Scepter
AI DraftFeb 26, 2026

Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter

Overview
Imprinting Dramatic Reversal on Isochron Scepter lets you activate the Scepter and, as its activated ability resolves, copy and cast Dramatic Reversal; you must cast the copy while the Scepter’s ability is still resolving (Ruling [2020-08-07]). The copy is a separate spell (a copy) you cast and when that instant resolves it untaps all nonland permanents you control (including the Isochron Scepter), after which the copy is put into its owner’s graveyard as part of spell resolution .
Step 1
When Isochron Scepter enters the battlefield, its imprint ability may exile an instant card (like Dramatic Reversal) and that exiled card is kept face up and associated with the Scepter and the pair of abilities are linked .
Step 2
You activate the Scepter’s ability by paying {2} and tapping it; {T} is part of the activation cost put up-front, so the Scepter becomes tapped as part of activating the ability.
Step 3
When the activated ability resolves you may copy the exiled card and cast that copy during the resolution of the Scepter’s ability — the game instructs you to put the copy on the stack and continue casting it immediately while the ability continues to resolve (Ruling [2020-08-07]).
Step 4
The copy is a separate spell (a copy of the imprinted card) and you cast it following the casting steps in rule , with the copy becoming a spell on the stack; it is distinct from the card that remains exiled and .
Step 5
If you cast the Dramatic Reversal copy, that instant resolves and you follow its instructions (untap all nonland permanents you control), which will untap the Isochron Scepter and any mana rocks or other nonland permanents you control, and then the copy is put into its owner’s graveyard as the final part of the spell’s resolution .
Step 6
After the copy resolves and the Scepter is untapped, you can activate the Scepter again (if you have the mana to pay its {2} activation cost), allowing repetition of the process as long as resource constraints allow it.
Resolution
When you activate Isochron Scepter’s {2}, {T} ability, you may copy the imprinted Dramatic Reversal and you must cast that copy while the Scepter’s ability is still resolving — you cannot wait until later in the turn to cast it (Ruling [2020-08-07]). The copy is a spell on the stack separate from the exiled card , and when that copy resolves it untaps all nonland permanents you control (including the Scepter) and then the copy is put into its owner’s graveyard as the final part of resolution .
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