Aetherize is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Return all attacking creatures to their owner's hand.
Complete guide
Aetherize is a powerful blue instant that can completely turn the tide of a match by punishing aggressive players. By returning all attacking creatures to their owners' hands, it acts as a massive tempo swing that can save you from a lethal swing. This guide will break down how to time this spell perfectly and navigate common combat interactions.
Defining Attacking Creatures
Aetherize only affects creatures that currently have the 'attacking' status. A creature becomes an attacking creature when it is declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step, or if it is put onto the battlefield already attacking. These creatures remain 'attacking' until the combat phase ends entirely, even after damage has been dealt.
Resolution Step-by-Step
When you cast Aetherize, you do not target any specific creatures; it affects all creatures currently attacking. Upon resolution, every creature currently in combat on the opponent's side (or yours, if you cast it during your own turn) is moved from the battlefield to its owner's hand. Any Auras or Equipment attached to those creatures will either go to the graveyard or remain on the battlefield, respectively.
Timing Your Defense
The most common mistake is thinking you must cast Aetherize before damage is dealt. While usually preferred, you can actually cast it during the end of combat step after damage has occurred. This is useful if you survived the hit but want to clear the board of creatures with dangerous 'end of combat' triggers or simply to reset your opponent's board presence.
Common Misconceptions
Remember that Aetherize does not destroy creatures, so 'Indestructible' will not save them. Furthermore, because it does not target, 'Hexproof' and 'Shroud' offer no protection. However, because it is a noncreature spell, it is highly susceptible to counterspells that target noncreature spells specifically.
Interaction examples
Fierce GuardianshipIf you cast Aetherize to stop a lethal attack and your opponent tries to counter it with a spell like Negate, you can respond with Fierce Guardianship. If you control your commander, Fierce Guardianship costs zero mana, allowing you to counter their counterspell and ensure Aetherize resolves, safely bouncing their entire board.
Frantic SearchIf an opponent attacks and you don't have Aetherize in hand, you can cast Frantic Search during the declare attackers step. You draw two cards and discard two, potentially finding Aetherize. Since Frantic Search untaps three lands, you may then have the mana available to immediately cast the Aetherize you just drew before moving to the blockers or damage steps.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Aetherize
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
An "attacking creature" is one that has been declared as an attacker this combat, or one that was put onto the battlefield attacking this combat. Unless that creature leaves combat, it continues to be an attacking creature through the end of combat step, even if the player it was attacking has left the game, or the planeswalker it was attacking has left combat. There's no such thing as an attacking creature outside of the combat phase.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Aetherize
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.