⚖ IUDEX ARCANUM
← Back to app Sign in
Rules Answers › Keywords & Abilities

Does Cyclonic Rift's overload affect your own permanents?

Short answer
No. When overloaded, Cyclonic Rift returns only non-land permanents your OPPONENTS control, never your own.

Cyclonic Rift reads, when overloaded: 'Return all non-land permanents you don't control to their owners' hands.' The key phrase is 'you don't control.' This explicitly excludes any permanents you control, so your own creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and planeswalkers are completely safe.

The overload mechanic (CR 702.96) replaces the spell's normal targeting text with a new effect that applies to a broader set of objects. In this case, the replacement text changes the single-target bounce into a board-wide effect, but the restriction 'you don't control' is baked directly into the overloaded text itself.

It is worth noting that 'control' and 'own' are distinct concepts under CR 108.3 and CR 110.2. You control permanents you put onto the battlefield (generally), while ownership refers to who brought the card to the game. Cyclonic Rift cares about control, not ownership, so even a permanent you own but an opponent controls will be bounced.

Concrete example: You overload Cyclonic Rift. Your opponent controls a Serra Angel and a Llanowar Elves. You control a Snapcaster Mage. Both of your opponent's creatures are returned to their hand; your Snapcaster Mage remains on the battlefield untouched.

HIGH confidence CR 702.96 CR 108.3 CR 110.2
Have a different situation at the table?
Ask IUDEX ARCANUM your exact question — it cites the rules and tracks your game state. Tracking life & turns is free; the AI judge needs a quick account.

Unofficial fan resource — not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Answers are AI-generated estimates grounded in the Comprehensive Rules and are not a substitute for an official judge. Verify anything match-critical.