What it does
Demonstrate is a keyword found on cards from Strixhaven's Mystical Archive and the "Study Hall" set, appearing on spells. When you cast a spell with demonstrate, you may copy it. If you do, you choose an opponent, and that opponent also copies the spell. Both you and that opponent then choose new targets for your respective copies if desired.
The key nuance: demonstrate is optional, but it's all-or-nothing—if you copy, an opponent must also get a copy. You can't deny the benefit to opponents while taking it yourself. The copies are created on the stack and resolve before the original spell, and each controller independently chooses targets.
In Commander, demonstrate's "I help an opponent too" cost makes it strong for political plays—you can reward an ally or bargain for a deal. Pick the opponent whose copy hurts you least, and chain copies if multiple demonstrate spells trigger together.
Iconic cards with Demonstrate
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