<p>Yes, when a spell has an instruction, it is instructing its controller to take that action. According to <a href="http://mtgsalvation.gamepedia.com/Resolving_Spells_and_Abilities">rule 608.2c</a>, the third step of resolving a spell or ability is</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>The controller of the spell or ability</strong> follows its instructions in the order written.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>That does mean that when you cast those spells, you can look through your opponent's hand and library.</p>

<p>Imagine if the spell was instead instructing that player to search their own hand and library. How would you verify that they had found all copies of the named card?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T08:16:07.653Z
Even worse, if the opponent was doing the searching they could elect not to find the named card, even if it's there!
Samthere
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T13:55:28.833Z
Would I be correct in interpreting that the actions must be taken *strictly* in order? ... In the case of Memoricide, I can't look at their cards and *then* name the card?
svidgen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T14:07:03.293Z
@svidgen Yes, do the actions exactly in the order specified, skipping any that can't be done (e.g. if a spell tells you to discard a card and you have none in hand).
Alex P
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T03:50:16.877Z
2015-07-01T03:50:16.877Z
murgatroid99
<p>When a spell says, <em>Search target player's graveyard, hand, and library for X</em>, as is the case with <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=215103" rel="nofollow">Memoricide</a> and <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=397706" rel="nofollow">Surgical Extraction</a>, does that mean <em>the casting player</em> gets to look? (Thereby being able to take a mental inventory and gain insight into what he or she would apply a subsequent Memoricide to?)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T12:46:17.570Z
As far as I know, besides a mental inventory, you're also allowed  to just write down all the cards in a notebook.
RemcoGerlich
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-01T16:46:17.783Z
@RemcoGerlich Though if you do that, you'll have to be careful about slow play. If your in a tournament, you can't just take a break from the game to write down every card in your opponent's deck.
murgatroid99
<magic-the-gathering>
Who gets to "search target player's graveyard, hand, and library?"
svidgen
# Who gets to "search target player's graveyard, hand, and library?"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-01)

When a spell says, *Search target player's graveyard, hand, and library for X*, as is the case with [Memoricide](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=215103) and [Surgical Extraction](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=397706), does that mean *the casting player* gets to look? (Thereby being able to take a mental inventory and gain insight into what he or she would apply a subsequent Memoricide to?)

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: As far as I know, besides a mental inventory, you're also allowed  to just write down all the cards in a notebook.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 Though if you do that, you'll have to be careful about slow play. If your in a tournament, you can't just take a break from the game to write down every card in your opponent's deck.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-07-01. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

Yes, when a spell has an instruction, it is instructing its controller to take that action. According to [rule 608.2c](http://mtgsalvation.gamepedia.com/Resolving_Spells_and_Abilities), the third step of resolving a spell or ability is

> **The controller of the spell or ability** follows its instructions in the order written.

That does mean that when you cast those spells, you can look through your opponent's hand and library.

Imagine if the spell was instead instructing that player to search their own hand and library. How would you verify that they had found all copies of the named card?

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Even worse, if the opponent was doing the searching they could elect not to find the named card, even if it's there!  
> **username_0**: Would I be correct in interpreting that the actions must be taken *strictly* in order? ... In the case of Memoricide, I can't look at their cards and *then* name the card?  
> **username_4**: @username_0 Yes, do the actions exactly in the order specified, skipping any that can't be done (e.g. if a spell tells you to discard a card and you have none in hand).  

---

