how does Goading work?
Asked by ticked-off-squirrel 6 years ago
ok so I just got Grenzo, Havoc Raiser and his first ability says to Goad. how does it work exactly? like in details? I looked up online and it said the creature has to attack if able and not at me or a planeswalker I control but how would that work with Grenzo if a creature has to hit a player to trigger it? in order to hit a player with a creature you would have to be in the combat step and by the time the ability triggers it will be past the combat step therefore the Goad creature cannot attack. so how does this all work? and how would it work in a two player game?
ticked-off-squirrel says... #2
Rhadamanthus ohhhh. I see. so Goad is useless in a two player game then. and just making sure is it only you or you or planeswalker you own?
June 15, 2017 2:12 p.m.
The full rules text of goad is as follows:
701.36. Goad
701.36a Certain spells and abilities can goad a creature. Until the next turn of the controller of that spell or ability, that creature attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than that player if able.
In a 2-player game it would still compel an attack, but the attack would have to be directed at you or a planeswalker you control. It's not as useful in this circumstance, but because it compels an attack it means you'd be able to force a creature to attack unfavorably so you could block and kill it.
Also, for multiplayer, note that it says "attacks a player," meaning the creature could not attack any planeswalker, whether or not you control it.
June 15, 2017 2:27 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #4
Creatures attack planeswalkers directly. That is, they don't attack the planeswalker's controller first and then get diverted to the planeswalker. Because of the way Goad is written, the only way the creature would be allowed to attack a planeswalker is if it can't legally attack any player other than you.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1
Unfortunately there's not enough room in Grenzo's text box to give the reminder text for the Goad ability (and reminder text is often left off of Rare and Mythic Rare cards anyway since a player won't see them as often). Let's look at another one: Coveted Peacock
Notice that the effect from Goad lasts "until your next turn". Yes, Grenzo's ability will be triggering during your combat phase, but the creatures you Goad will still have the effect applied to them after your turn ends and all through your opponents' turns. It doesn't wear off until the game comes back around to your turn again. That's how Goad is able to work properly.
Also note that Goad just says the creature has to attack someone other than you if able. If you're the only player it could legally attack, it can attack you.
June 15, 2017 2:02 p.m. Edited.