All creatures able to block target creature this turn do so

Asked by Archiie 10 years ago

I cast this on an creature (nothing special) and I decide to attack. I thought the card says that all creatures MUST block. But, my opponent began to TAP his 2 creatures with tapuntap target permanent. The card says they must block so that means they can't tap, right?

filledelanuit says... Accepted answer #1

Please link your cards. There is a formatting guide at the bottom of the page.

Kiora's Follower

Prized Unicorn

Cards that say something must be done are actually saying that they thing must be don "if able". Your opponent can tap them, if they have an ability, to avoid blocking with them.

Remember "can beats can't" and the rules say that tapped blockers cannot block even if Prized Unicorn says they must.

August 16, 2014 1:10 p.m.

GreatSword says... #2

lordoftheshadows, while you're correct in your ruling above, you're incorrect about "can beats can't". The opposite is true, and it's one of Magic's Golden Rules:

    1. The Magic Golden Rules
  • 101.2. When a rule or effect allows or directs something to happen, and another effect states that it cant happen, the cant effect takes precedence.
August 16, 2014 5:10 p.m.

filledelanuit says... #3

Sorry about that GreatSword I mistyped.

August 16, 2014 5:11 p.m.

Colten_Lee says... #4

This makes me wonder, what would happen if you enchanted Prized Unicorn with Alpha Authority ?? Bc all creatures that can block it must, but now it can only be blocked by 1 creature...

August 17, 2014 1:24 a.m.

filledelanuit says... #5

@Colten_Lee remember that "can't beats can" so the creature enchanted by Alpha Authority must be blocked by exactly one creature.

August 17, 2014 1:37 a.m.

This discussion has been closed