Beast Within — ruling 1

If the target permanent is an illegal target by the time Beast Within tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. No player creates a Beast token. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller does create a Beast token.

Beast Within : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Beast Within 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

Destroy target permanent. Its controller creates a 3/3 green Beast creature token.

Complete guide

Beast Within is one of the most versatile removal spells in Green, offering a way to deal with any threat at the cost of giving your opponent a creature. Whether it is a problematic land, a powerful planeswalker, or a game-ending creature, this instant can handle it all. Understanding the timing and the trade-off is key to mastering this card in your next match.

What It Does

Beast Within is a 3-mana instant that allows you to destroy any target permanent. The term 'permanent' covers land, creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and planeswalkers. In exchange for removing that threat, the permanent's controller receives a 3/3 green Beast creature token.

How It Resolves

First, you choose a legal target for the spell. Upon resolution, the game checks if the target is still legal. If the target has gained hexproof or left the battlefield, Beast Within will not resolve, and no token is created. If the target is legal, it is destroyed. Even if the permanent is not destroyed—for example, if it has indestructible—the controller still creates the 3/3 Beast token.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming the token is only created if the target actually goes to the graveyard. Because the token creation is a separate instruction in the resolution, the controller gets the Beast even if the target is indestructible. Another mistake is targeting your own permanent and forgetting that you will be the one receiving the Beast token, which can be a strategic move to upgrade a small creature or a tapped land into a 3/3 attacker.

When to Play It

Since it is an instant, the best time to play Beast Within is usually during your opponent's end step or in response to a specific threat. Removing a key combo piece or a blocker right before your turn can swing the momentum in your favor.

Interaction examples

Targeting a Creature

Beast

You cast Beast Within targeting an opponent's creature. The creature is destroyed and placed in the graveyard. Immediately after, that opponent puts a 3/3 green Beast token onto the battlefield under their control.

Dealing with Indestructible

Beast

You target a permanent with indestructible. When Beast Within resolves, it attempts to destroy the permanent, but it remains on the battlefield. Despite this, the instruction to create a 3/3 green Beast token still happens, and the controller of the indestructible permanent gets the token.

Turning Land into Offense

Beast

During your opponent's end step, you target one of your own tapped lands with Beast Within. The land is destroyed, and you create a 3/3 green Beast token. On your following turn, the Beast is no longer affected by summoning sickness and can attack.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Beast Within

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
If the target permanent is an illegal target by the time Beast Within tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. No player creates a Beast token. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller does create a Beast token.
Card named in this ruling
Beast