Let's say I have a Delver of Secrets in play. During my upkeep I look at the top card, only to see a Grizzly Bear (or any non-instant, non-sorcery card). So it can't flip.
I happen to have a Jayemdae Tome ready. Can I use its ability (after the first act of peeking) to get the card on top pre-Draw Phase (in this case the Grizzly Bear) and look at the next top card of my library just to strengthen the chance of flipping my Delver?
Or let's say I have an Opt. Can I use it an instant speed to draw/scry the unwanted card and look at the next card on top of my library?
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"We'll scale these cliffs, traverse Brittle Bridge, and then fight our way down the volcanic slopes on the other side."
"Isn't the shortest route through the canyon?"
"Yes."
"So shouldn't we—"
"No."
Neither looking at the top card of your library nor revealing that card changes whether that card is the top card of that library (C.R. 701.15b, 701.15d; see also C.R. 701.15c). Even if you decide not to reveal that card with Delver of Secrets, the card will remain on top of your library.
Moreover, you don't have priority to cast any instant spells (including Opt) or activate any abilities (including Jayemdae Tome's ability) while Delver of Secrets's ability is resolving (including between the time you look at the top card of your library due to Delver of Secrets's ability and the time you choose whether to reveal that card) (C.R. 116.2e, 116.1a-b). See also this thread.
The issue here is that Delver only allows you to look at your top card once per turn, as its triggered ability resolves, and it is only that card that you can reveal, also while the ability resolves, in order to transform the Delver. You can't do anything between looking and revealing, because you don't get priority while an ability is resolving. You can respond to the Delver's ability on your upkeep, but that will be before looking at your top card. As such, in general, effects that have you draw cards won't help you transform a Delver unless you already know by other means that your top card isn't an instant or sorcery one.
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I'm a former judge (lapsed), who keeps up to date on rules and policy. Keep in mind that judges' answers aren't necessarily more valid than those of people who aren't judges; what matters is we can quote the rules to back up our answers. When in doubt, ask for such quotes.
Great! Thanks for the clarification and advice! Almost taught someone a wrong move.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"We'll scale these cliffs, traverse Brittle Bridge, and then fight our way down the volcanic slopes on the other side."
"Isn't the shortest route through the canyon?"
"Yes."
"So shouldn't we—"
"No."
- From Canyon Minotaur
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Let's say I have a Delver of Secrets in play. During my upkeep I look at the top card, only to see a Grizzly Bear (or any non-instant, non-sorcery card). So it can't flip.
I happen to have a Jayemdae Tome ready. Can I use its ability (after the first act of peeking) to get the card on top pre-Draw Phase (in this case the Grizzly Bear) and look at the next top card of my library just to strengthen the chance of flipping my Delver?
Or let's say I have an Opt. Can I use it an instant speed to draw/scry the unwanted card and look at the next card on top of my library?
"Isn't the shortest route through the canyon?"
"Yes."
"So shouldn't we—"
"No."
- From Canyon Minotaur
Moreover, you don't have priority to cast any instant spells (including Opt) or activate any abilities (including Jayemdae Tome's ability) while Delver of Secrets's ability is resolving (including between the time you look at the top card of your library due to Delver of Secrets's ability and the time you choose whether to reveal that card) (C.R. 116.2e, 116.1a-b). See also this thread.
Great! Thanks for the clarification and advice! Almost taught someone a wrong move.
"Isn't the shortest route through the canyon?"
"Yes."
"So shouldn't we—"
"No."
- From Canyon Minotaur