Sudden Substitution
Tracked across real Commander games played through TurnZero HQ.
What it does
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)
Exchange control of target noncreature spell and target creature. Then the spell's controller may choose new targets for it.
Combos with Sudden Substitution
The lines this card is part of, what it needs alongside it, and what the cards do together. An infinite result is the one that moves a deck's bracket.
- Opposition Agent Selective Memory
- Exile all nonland cards from target opponent's library, with the ability for you to play them from exile
Combo data from Commander Spellbook, the community-maintained database of Magic combos. Mirrored nightly.
Rulings
13 official rulings, in the order Wizards published them.
- 2019-08-23
If the target spell or the target creature is an illegal target as Sudden Substitution resolves, the exchange won't happen. If both targets are legal but are both controlled by the same player, the exchange won't happen.
- 2019-08-23
If a permanent spell is exchanged this way, its new controller will control the permanent it becomes.
- 2019-08-23
A mana ability is an ability that produces mana, not an ability that costs mana.
- 2019-08-23
In a multiplayer game, if the controller of one of the objects leaves the game after Sudden Substitution resolves, the effect that gave them control of the spell or permanent expires. If the spell is still on the stack, the player who gains control of it this way can't choose new targets for it.
- 2019-08-23
If the exchange doesn't happen but the spell is still a legal target, its controller may choose new targets for it.
- 2019-08-23
The exchange lasts indefinitely. It doesn't expire for the spell if the creature changes zones or leaves the game, or vice versa.
- 2019-08-23
The noncreature spell is still on the stack after exchanging control, and the creature is still on the battlefield.
- 2021-03-19
After a spell with split second resolves (or otherwise leaves the stack), players may again cast spells and activate abilities before the next object on the stack resolves.
- 2021-03-19
Players still get priority while a card with split second is on the stack; their options are just limited to mana abilities and certain special actions.
- 2021-03-19
Split second doesn't stop triggered abilities from triggering, such as that of Chalice of the Void. If one does, its controller puts it on the stack and chooses targets for it, if any. Those abilities will resolve as normal.
- 2021-03-19
Players may turn face-down creatures face up while a spell with split second is on the stack.
- 2021-03-19
If the resolution of a triggered ability involves casting a spell, that spell can't be cast if a spell with split second is on the stack.
- 2021-03-19
Casting a spell with split second won't affect spells and abilities that are already on the stack.
Rulings are Wizards of the Coast's own, mirrored from Scryfall and refreshed nightly.
In the 99
Every deck whose current list includes Sudden Substitution, whatever its commander.
Most played under
| Commander | Decks | Games | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadena, Slinking Sorcerer | 1 | 0 | — |
Colors it shows up in
- Sultai 1 deck
Sudden Substitution price history
The Commander 2019 #11 printing, as Scryfall reports the TCGplayer market. Updated nightly. Click any version below to chart its price.
Every recorded price change
| Date | Non-foil |
|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2026 | $7.16 |
| Nov 10, 2026 | $7.16 |
| Nov 8, 2026 | $7.12 |
| Nov 7, 2026 | $7.07 |
| Nov 6, 2026 | $7.13 |
| Nov 5, 2026 | $7.15 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | $7.24 |
| Oct 31, 2026 | $7.40 |
| Oct 30, 2026 | $7.41 |
| Oct 29, 2026 | $7.07 |
| Oct 27, 2026 | $6.86 |
| Oct 26, 2026 | $6.89 |
| Oct 25, 2026 | $6.93 |
| Oct 24, 2026 | $6.91 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | $6.89 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | $6.70 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | $6.65 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | $6.73 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | $7.16 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | $7.07 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | $7.06 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | $7.07 |
| Oct 10, 2026 | $7.20 |
| Oct 9, 2026 | $7.13 |
| Oct 8, 2026 | $7.10 |
| Oct 7, 2026 | $7.33 |
| Oct 5, 2026 | $7.34 |
| Oct 4, 2026 | $7.35 |
| Oct 3, 2026 | $7.39 |
| Oct 2, 2026 | $7.41 |
| Oct 1, 2026 | $7.55 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | $7.13 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | $7.03 |
A row is recorded only on nights the price moved, so each price held until the row above it.
Every version of Sudden Substitution
1 printing, newest first. Prices are the market figures Scryfall publishes, refreshed nightly. A printing with no figure shows a dash rather than a zero, because Scryfall publishes none for some of them.
- Normal
- $7.16
Prices from Scryfall, which tracks the TCGplayer and Cardmarket markets. They move daily and are a guide rather than a quote. Search TCGplayer for Sudden Substitution. It runs a name search across every version, which covers the printings TCGplayer publishes no direct link to.
Aggregated from Commander games tracked in TurnZero HQ. Every figure counts decks and games only. No individual deck list, player or playgroup is identified. Win rates are withheld below 5 completed games, where the sample is too small to mean anything.