<p><strong>There are many uses for so-called &quot;flicker&quot; effects like from Essence Flux.</strong></p>
<p>The namesake <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flicker">Flicker</a> was the first card to exile and immediately return the target. This is where the mechanic got its unofficial name.</p>
<p>The creature that returns is a whole new object without any relation to its previous existence. That means that, for example:</p>
<ul>
<li>The creature will trigger all applicable &quot;enters the battlefield&quot; and &quot;leaves the battlefield&quot; abilities.</li>
<li>If the creature you blink is being targeted by a spell or ability, then it will lose track of the creature and not affect it, or will <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Fizzle" rel="nofollow noreferrer">fizzle</a> if that creature was the only target.</li>
<li>Auras and equipments attached to the creature will fall off of it, and counters get removed.</li>
<li>It will return untapped.</li>
<li>All temporary effects, such as from <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Giant%20Growth">Giant Growth</a> or <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Death%20Wind">Death Wind</a>, will be removed.</li>
<li>The new creature has no damage marked on it, so it's like an improved regeneration effect.</li>
<li>If you blink the creature during combat, it will be removed from combat and will neither deal nor take any damage, but (if it was already assigned as a blocker), the creature blocked by it will still be blocked.</li>
</ul>
<p>Other blink cards such as <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flicker">Flicker</a> can also target enemy creatures (though not at instant speed), which can be a very valuable play at the right time.</p>
<p>In short, blink effects are a powerful trick that can throw a wrench in your opponent's plans at a crucial moment. The +1/+1 counter for spirits is more of a bonus in most cases, but of course it allows you to get even more utility out of this spell.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-11T02:27:13.523Z
I edited Wild Growth to Giant Growth; I assume that's what you meant.
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-12T08:34:44.163Z
In general blinking can be done to an enemy creature, but not with this card as it says "target creature you control".
RemcoGerlich
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-12T08:59:27.737Z
@RemcoGerlich Correct, thanks. Interestingly enough, when I looked it up, most blink effects can only target permanents you control, and those that can target any are either sorcery speed or tied to a permanent, so there are apparently no real instants to blink permanents controlled by others.
Hackworth
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-12T13:53:20.613Z
@Hackworth; which makes sense to me; the ability to stop your opponent's creatures from attacking, or remove all Auras on them, would probably be quite powerful.
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-08T01:39:09.967Z
I get this is an old post and this doesn't apply to Essence Flux, but my favorite use for flicker effects isn't on the list - it allows you take back control of stolen creatures.  Flicker effects are almost universally worded "...return it to the battlefield under its owner's control".  I've used a Flickerform on a creature with abilities that cause opponents to gain control of it to excellent effect.
gatherer818
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-20T01:41:23.173Z
@gatherer818 and it can do the reverse too - certain flicker effects, most notably [Cloudshift](https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=489581) don't return the creature to the owner, but say they are put back in under your control, removing the until end of turn from a stolen creature (via [Act of Treason](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=489479) type spells)
Andrew
CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-09-10T21:03:14.213Z
2021-04-20T00:33:16.737Z
2021-04-20T00:33:16.737Z
Hackworth
<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bEssence%20Flux%5d">Essence Flux</a> says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control. If it's a Spirit, put a +1/+1 counter on it.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So, say I have a 1/1 Sanctuary Cat cast onto the battlefield. According to above, I would exile it, then return it right back? Is that right? I don't see what purpose this serves unless it was a spirit. Could you clarify if I have this right and what the benefit is?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/75Z81.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/75Z81.png" alt="Essence Flux"></a></p>

<magic-the-gathering>
What's the use of blinking a creature out (such as with Essence Flux)?
Octomjbber
# What's the use of blinking a creature out (such as with Essence Flux)?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-10)

[Essence Flux](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bEssence%20Flux%5d) says:

> Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control. If it's a Spirit, put a +1/+1 counter on it.

So, say I have a 1/1 Sanctuary Cat cast onto the battlefield. According to above, I would exile it, then return it right back? Is that right? I don't see what purpose this serves unless it was a spirit. Could you clarify if I have this right and what the benefit is?

[![Essence Flux](https://i.sstatic.net/75Z81.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/75Z81.png)

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-09-10. Score: 12 | Accepted answer

**There are many uses for so-called "flicker" effects like from Essence Flux.**

The namesake [Flicker](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flicker) was the first card to exile and immediately return the target. This is where the mechanic got its unofficial name.

The creature that returns is a whole new object without any relation to its previous existence. That means that, for example:

* The creature will trigger all applicable "enters the battlefield" and "leaves the battlefield" abilities.
* If the creature you blink is being targeted by a spell or ability, then it will lose track of the creature and not affect it, or will [fizzle](https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Fizzle) if that creature was the only target.
* Auras and equipments attached to the creature will fall off of it, and counters get removed.
* It will return untapped.
* All temporary effects, such as from [Giant Growth](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Giant%20Growth) or [Death Wind](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Death%20Wind), will be removed.
* The new creature has no damage marked on it, so it's like an improved regeneration effect.
* If you blink the creature during combat, it will be removed from combat and will neither deal nor take any damage, but (if it was already assigned as a blocker), the creature blocked by it will still be blocked.

Other blink cards such as [Flicker](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flicker) can also target enemy creatures (though not at instant speed), which can be a very valuable play at the right time.

In short, blink effects are a powerful trick that can throw a wrench in your opponent's plans at a crucial moment. The +1/+1 counter for spirits is more of a bonus in most cases, but of course it allows you to get even more utility out of this spell.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I edited Wild Growth to Giant Growth; I assume that's what you meant.  
> **username_3**: In general blinking can be done to an enemy creature, but not with this card as it says "target creature you control".  
> **username_1**: @username_3 Correct, thanks. Interestingly enough, when I looked it up, most blink effects can only target permanents you control, and those that can target any are either sorcery speed or tied to a permanent, so there are apparently no real instants to blink permanents controlled by others.  
> **username_2**: @username_1; which makes sense to me; the ability to stop your opponent's creatures from attacking, or remove all Auras on them, would probably be quite powerful.  
> **username_4**: I get this is an old post and this doesn't apply to Essence Flux, but my favorite use for flicker effects isn't on the list - it allows you take back control of stolen creatures.  Flicker effects are almost universally worded "...return it to the battlefield under its owner's control".  I've used a Flickerform on a creature with abilities that cause opponents to gain control of it to excellent effect.  
> **username_5**: @username_4 and it can do the reverse too - certain flicker effects, most notably [Cloudshift](https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=489581) don't return the creature to the owner, but say they are put back in under your control, removing the until end of turn from a stolen creature (via [Act of Treason](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=489479) type spells)  

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