Flash — what does it mean?
You may cast this card any time you could cast an instant.
Flash appears on 629 cards.
How does Flash work?
Flash means you can cast this card any time you could cast an instant. Normally, creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and planeswalkers are cast only in your own main phase with the stack empty. With flash, you can cast them on your opponent's turn, during combat, or in response to another spell. All you need is priority.
The most common use is a surprise blocker. Your opponent attacks, you cast your flash creature during the declare attackers step, and it's ready to block. It does have to be on the battlefield before blockers are declared; after that, it's too late to block with it.
The other classic move: you keep your mana open on your opponent's turn and only spend it at the end of that turn. A creature you cast that way has been under your control since your next turn began, so it can attack that turn. Flash doesn't give haste, though: cast it on your own turn and it can't attack that turn. A flash spell still uses the stack, so it can be countered.
An example at the table
Your opponent attacks with a 3/3. You have 3 mana open and a 2/4 with flash in hand. During the declare attackers step, you cast the 2/4. It resolves, and in the declare blockers step you block the 3/3. The 2/4 takes 3 and survives; the 3/3 takes 2. If your opponent doesn't attack at all, you cast the 2/4 at the end of their turn instead. On your turn, you untap and the 2/4 can attack right away.
Cards with Flash
Mithril CoatIllustration: Igor Krstic
Orcish BowmastersIllustration: Maxim Kostin
Hullbreaker HorrorIllustration: Svetlin Velinov
Faerie MastermindIllustration: Kai Carpenter
Opposition AgentIllustration: Scott MurphyCommon mistakes
- Thinking flash also gives haste. Cast a flash creature on your own turn and it can't attack that turn.
- Thinking you can cast a flash creature after blockers are declared and still block with it. It has to be there before blockers are declared.
- Thinking a spell with flash can't be stopped. It goes on the stack like any spell, and your opponent can respond.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a creature with flash block the turn it comes in?
- Yes, as long as you cast it before blockers are declared, for example during the declare attackers step.
- Does flash give haste?
- No. A flash creature has summoning sickness on the turn it enters if that's your turn.
- Why cast a flash creature at the end of your opponent's turn?
- You keep your mana open for other responses, and the creature can attack on your turn.
- Can a spell with flash be countered?
- Yes. Flash only changes when you can cast the spell, not how it works.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 702.8. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
FlyingEnchantVigilanceEquipReach
Which cards with Flash do you own? →
Last updated: 26 October 2026