Flicker

Flicker describes briefly exiling a permanent and bringing it straight back to the battlefield, usually to trigger its enters-the-battlefield ability a second time. Community members often use “blink” interchangeably with flicker, and both refer to the same effect.

Because the permanent leaves and re-enters as a technically new object, it also resets any counters, auras, or equipment attached to it, which can cut either way depending on what’s stuck to the creature.

How Flicker Effects Create Value

Creatures with strong enters-the-battlefield abilities, things that draw a card, destroy a permanent, or make a token, become repeatable engines once you can flicker them. A single card like Restoration Angel turns a one-time effect into a recurring one.

Stack enough flicker effects with the right ETB creatures and you get an engine that keeps generating card advantage every turn without needing new cards from your hand.

Flicker as a Removal Dodge

Flickering a creature in response to removal is a classic save. The removal spell fizzles for lack of a target, or resolves and does nothing, since the original object no longer exists by the time it would apply.

This makes flicker effects a favourite answer to edict effects and targeted removal alike, though it won’t save you from a board wipe that hits everything regardless of what’s on the stack.