An Incident Has OccurredHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

An Incident Has Occurred is a modal sorcery that allows you to choose one or both of its effects: destroying a creature with flying or destroying an Attraction. Additionally, it features a unique flavor action where you may apologize to your opponent to gain 3 life. This life gain is independent of the modes chosen, meaning you can apologize even if you only targeted a non-sentient Attraction.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, as you cast the spell, you choose your modes and legal targets for each chosen mode. Upon resolution, the targets are destroyed in the order listed on the card. Finally, the spell asks if you would like to apologize. If you say you are sorry—and try to sound like you mean it—you immediately gain 3 life. Note that your opponent's forgiveness is not a mechanical requirement for the life gain.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is thinking you can only apologize if you destroyed something. You may apologize and gain life even if your chosen targets were removed from the battlefield before the spell resolved. Another error is assuming you can target any creature; the first mode strictly requires the target to have flying. Lastly, remember that Attractions go to the 'junkyard', which is the Un-set equivalent of the graveyard.

When to Play It

This card is best used when you need to stabilize against an aggressive aerial deck or disrupt an opponent's complex Attraction engine. Because it is a sorcery, you must play it during your main phase. It is an excellent utility spell for green decks that need versatile removal paired with a small defensive life buffer.

Interaction examples

Handling a Flyer

You cast An Incident Has Occurred choosing the first mode. You target an opponent's creature with flying. As the spell resolves, the creature is destroyed. You then say 'I am truly sorry about that,' and you gain 3 life.

Cleaning Up the Board

You choose both modes, targeting an opponent's flying creature and their prize Attraction. Both permanents are destroyed and sent to their respective graveyards (or junkyard). You offer a quick apology for the mess, gaining 3 life.

Ramping and Stabilizing

Cultivate

After using Cultivate to fix your mana and thin your deck, your opponent plays a flying threat. You use An Incident Has Occurred to destroy the flyer. Since Cultivate ensured you had the green mana available, you can now apologize for the removal and gain 3 life to stay ahead in the race.

Mana Efficiency

Farseek

You use Farseek on turn two to bring a dual land into play. On turn three, you have plenty of mana to cast An Incident Has Occurred to destroy an opponent's troublesome Attraction. Even though you are ahead in tempo, you still apologize to gain that extra 3 life.