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Rules Answers › Commander / EDH

Can an effect that says draw a card be replaced by a replacement effect that says skip your next draw?

Short answer
No. 'Skip your next draw' replaces a specific draw event; it cannot replace a 'draw a card' effect mid-resolution unless it applies to that exact draw.

Replacement effects that say 'skip your next draw step' (or similar) apply to the draw that happens during your draw step, not to card-draw effects generated by spells or abilities. These are two different events: a draw-step draw versus an effect-generated draw. CR 614.1 establishes that replacement effects modify how events occur, and CR 508.1 governs the draw step specifically.

However, there IS a category of replacement effects that can replace ANY draw, including those from spells and abilities. An effect that says 'if you would draw a card, [do something else instead]' (CR 614.1a) applies to every draw event regardless of source — including draws generated by instants, sorceries, or triggered abilities. The key distinction is whether the replacement effect is worded broadly ('if you would draw a card') or narrowly ('skip your next draw step').

Effects like Notion Thief or Teferi's Puzzle Box use the broad 'if you would draw a card' phrasing and CAN replace draws from spells and abilities. Whereas something like 'skip your next draw step' only replaces the specific draw-step draw (CR 508.1), not draws from card effects.

Example: You cast Divination, which says 'Draw two cards.' If your opponent controls Spirit of the Labyrinth (which says 'Each player can't draw more than one card each turn'), that replacement effect DOES apply and will prevent the second draw. But an effect that merely says 'you skip your next draw step' would NOT intercept either of the two draws from Divination, because those draws are not draw-step draws.

In summary: a narrowly worded 'skip your next draw step' effect cannot replace draws from spells or abilities (CR 508.1, 614.1). Only broadly worded replacement effects ('if you would draw a card') can intercept any draw event (CR 614.1a).

HIGH confidence CR 508.1 CR 614.1 CR 614.1a
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