Cyclonic Rift

Cyclonic Rift first appeared in Return to Ravnica on 5 October 2012. RTR #35 is a rare illustrated by Chris Rahn, with nonfoil and traditional foil versions.

Collector shortcut: compare 2XM #339 for Chuck Lukacs' borderless art, CMM #485 for etched, RVR #313 for retro, RVR #419 for anime, and SOA #14 / #79 / #144 for the 2026 Mystical Archive family.

At its normal {1}{U} cost, Cyclonic Rift returns one target nonland permanent you do not control to its owner's hand. Pay the {6}{U} overload cost instead and “target” becomes “each”: the spell returns every nonland permanent you do not control.

An overloaded Rift does not target, so hexproof does not stop it affecting a permanent. It does not return lands, and it does not return permanents you control. It is a bounce spell rather than destruction; the owner may be able to replay a returned card later.

That asymmetry explains its role as a reset or an opening for an attack, but the timing and mana investment matter. Wizards covers the targeting distinction in the Ravnica Remastered release notes. All the printings below use the same underlying card rules.

RTR #35 establishes Chris Rahn's original illustration and the card's Izzet setting. Commander 2014 #104 reprinted it in nonfoil; Modern Masters 2017 #35 offers the same artist in nonfoil and traditional foil. A foil advertised only as “#35” therefore needs a set code to identify it.

Double Masters in 2020 introduced borderless #339 with Chuck Lukacs' artwork. Commander Masters in 2023 retained Rahn's illustration on standard #84 and separate etched #485. Those releases expand finish and presentation choices without changing the spell.

Ravnica Remastered in January 2024 introduced Isis' artwork on standard #40 and retro-frame #313, plus Ryuichi Sakuma's anime borderless #419. The card is mythic in RVR, compared with rare in its original release. RVR also has a separate serialized retro record, catalogued as #313z.

The original Rahn image is the starting point for a deck rooted in the card's first appearance. Lukacs' 2XM #339 takes the borderless direction. With RVR, switching from #40 to #313 keeps Isis' illustration but changes the frame; switching to #419 changes the artist and adopts the anime presentation.

The 2026 Secrets of Strixhaven Mystical Archive adds SOA #14 by Matthew G. Lewis, and Japanese-art #79 by Minoru. Minoru's #144 is the separate silver scroll foil entry. These use the SOA set code, not the STA code of the earlier Strixhaven archive.

Wizards explains the Japanese-language artwork and silver scroll finish in Collecting Secrets of Strixhaven. The Japanese entries are a language choice as well as an artwork choice; compare the image and language field before ordering.

A 2025 Secret Lair: FINAL FANTASY Grimoire version is also catalogued as SLD #1869. It is another alternative to inspect in the live archive if a crossover illustration is your priority. The shortlist above concentrates on the original and the major frame and finish comparisons.

For a traditional foil, compare the specific set and art you want: RTR #35, 2XM #339, RVR #313 and RVR #419 each have foil and nonfoil options. CMM #485 is etched only, while CMM #84 is the standard nonfoil / traditional foil entry.

The ordinary retro RVR #313 is distinct from the serialized version recorded as #313z. The “z” is a catalogue suffix, not a different spell or a printed serial number. Check the physical serial stamp when assessing an offered serialized card. Wizards identifies the serialized retro treatment as double rainbow foil in its Ravnica Remastered collecting guide.

For the new Archive art, SOA #79 is nonfoil; #144 is the silver scroll foil version. Do not assume a Japanese-art listing has a traditional foil option. ManaScout's animated foil preview is illustrative and cannot authenticate a finish or serial stamp.

For the original: choose RTR #35. To keep Rahn's art with a different set identity, compare the Commander 2014, Modern Masters 2017 and Commander Masters reprints.

For a deck copy: compare standard nonfoils in similar condition. Collector treatments do not improve overload; use current price fields and actual listings to judge the difference.

For a retro deck: RVR #313 provides the frame in nonfoil or traditional foil. Only seek #313z if the physical serialization is part of your collecting goal.

For alternative art: put Lukacs #339 beside Sakuma #419 and the SOA Archive choices. If choosing Minoru's artwork, decide between Japanese nonfoil #79 and silver scroll #144 explicitly.

RVR #40 against #313 is a useful first comparison because the artist stays the same and the frame changes. Then compare #419 if you want a different illustration. This keeps the decisions about artwork, frame and finish clear instead of treating every premium listing as the same upgrade.

The live explorer may highlight a ManaScout Pick. Treat it as a visual starting point and compare the exact printing, finish and available price data before deciding.

Rhystic Study — Explore a blue Commander draw engine with a very different printing history.

Mystic Remora — Compare an Ice Age original with modern retro and borderless artwork.

Force of Will — Explore another blue instant with distinctive collector editions.

Mana Drain — Compare the frames and premium versions of a blue interaction spell.

Printing details reviewed on 1 November 2026. The shortlist links to individual MTG.wtf catalogue records; official Wizards sources support the rules and product treatments. The live explorer retrieves its records and price fields from Scryfall.

MTG.wtf: original printing and full catalogue.

Wizards: overload rules.

Wizards: RVR frame and foil treatments.

Wizards: 2026 Archive and silver scroll treatments.