Agitator Ant 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
At the beginning of your end step, each player may put two +1/+1 counters on a creature they control. Goad each creature that had counters put on it this way. (Until your next turn, those creatures attack each combat if able and attack a player other than you if able.)
Complete guide
Agitator Ant is a chaotic red creature that offers your opponents a tempting gift with a dangerous catch. By distributing +1/+1 counters around the table, you can grow your forces while forcing your rivals to turn their aggression toward one another. It is a premier political tool in multiplayer games that ensures the action never stops.
A Choice with Consequences
At the beginning of your end step, Agitator Ant's ability triggers. Starting with you and proceeding in turn order, each player chooses one creature they control. If a player chooses a creature, that creature gets two +1/+1 counters and becomes goaded until your next turn. Because the goad effect is tied specifically to the counters being placed, a player cannot choose a creature that is unable to receive counters, such as one with Shroud or a specific protection, just to avoid the goad.
Understanding Goad
A goaded creature is forced to attack during its controller's next combat phase if able. Crucially, it must attack a player other than the one who goaded it (you) if possible. If the creature cannot attack another player—perhaps because you are the only opponent left or other players have 'pillow fort' effects—it must still attack a planeswalker, a battle, or you if it is legally able to do so. Goading is not an ability the creature gains; it is a requirement placed on the creature that persists even if the creature loses all abilities later.
Resolution Step-by-Step
When the ability resolves, the active player (you) first chooses a creature you control. Then, each other player in turn order makes their choice, fully aware of what the previous players picked. Once all choices are made, the counters are placed simultaneously, and the goad status is applied to every creature that received counters. If a replacement effect prevents a creature from actually receiving the counters, that creature will not be goaded.
Common Mistakes
Players often forget that goad lasts until your next turn, not just for the next player's turn. If a creature changes control or an extra combat phase occurs, that creature is still goaded. Additionally, you aren't forced to pay costs to attack; if an opponent has a Propaganda effect, a player with a goaded creature can choose not to pay the mana, meaning the creature simply doesn't attack.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Insect' as it entered, Agitator Ant's ability triggers twice at your end step. You and your opponents can now put a total of four +1/+1 counters on your creatures. Each creature that receives counters during either resolution becomes goaded.
Solemn SimulacrumIf you control Solemn Simulacrum and Agitator Ant, you can put two +1/+1 counters on the Simulacrum. While this makes it a 4/4 and goads it, the goad only forces it to attack 'a player other than you.' Since you are the one who goaded it, the Simulacrum is free to attack any of your opponents, turning a utility creature into a legitimate threat.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Agitator Ant
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature doesn't meet any of the above exceptions and can attack, it must attack a player other than the controller of the spell or ability that goaded it if able. If the creature can't attack any of those players but could otherwise attack, it must attack a planeswalker an opponent controls, a battle an opponent controls, or a player who goaded it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Attacking with a goaded creature doesn't cause it to stop being goaded. If there is an additional combat phase that turn, or if another player gains control of it before it stops being goaded, it must attack again if able.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature you control has been goaded by multiple opponents, it must attack one of your opponents that hasn't goaded it, as that fulfills the maximum number of goad requirements. If a creature you control has been goaded by each of your opponents, the creature must attack an opponent (rather than a planeswalker or battle), but you choose which opponent it attacks.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If, during a player's declare attackers step, a creature that player controls that's been goaded is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can't attack, or hasn't been under that player's control continuously since the turn began (and doesn't have haste), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having a creature attack a player, its controller isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack that player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Being goaded isn't an ability the creature has. Once it's been goaded, it must attack as detailed above even if it loses all abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature can't have +1/+1 counters put on it, its controller can't choose it just to have it become goaded. If it can have counters put on it but replacement effects cause it not to receive +1/+1 counters, it doesn't become goaded.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
As Agitator Ant's ability resolves, first you choose which creature you control, if any, to put two +1/+1 counters on, then each other player in turn order does the same, knowing the choices made before them. Then each chosen creature receives its +1/+1 counters and becomes goaded.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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