Archiefval

01/10/2009

A spell or ability causes a player to search their library only if it specifically contains the word “search” in its text. For example, if a spell or ability lets a player look at the top four cards of their library and do something with one of those cards, that’s not a search.

01/10/2009

Archive Trap checks only whether an opponent searched their library. It doesn’t matter whether that player found a card during the search.

01/10/2009

Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or mana value. The only difference is the cost you actually pay.

01/10/2009

Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.

01/10/2009

If a search effect is affected by Aven Mindcensor’s ability (which causes a player to search the top four cards of their library instead), that still counts as searching that library.

01/10/2009

If the targeted opponent has fewer than thirteen cards in their library, that player puts their entire library into their graveyard.

01/10/2009

The opponent you target doesn’t have to be the opponent who searched their library.

01/10/2009

You may ignore a Trap’s alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met.