Chain of Silence 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
Prevent all damage target creature would deal this turn. That creature's controller may sacrifice a land of their choice. If the player does, they may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.
Complete guide
Chain of Silence is a unique defensive instant from the Onslaught block that turns damage prevention into a risky political game. While it can effectively neutralize a massive attacker, it gives your opponent the opportunity to retaliate by continuing the 'chain' if they are willing to pay the price. Understanding the timing and consequences of this sacrifice is key to using this card effectively.
What It Does
Chain of Silence targets a single creature and prevents all damage—both combat and non-combat—that the creature would deal for the remainder of the turn. The twist lies in its secondary effect: the controller of the affected creature has the option to sacrifice a land. If they do, they create a copy of Chain of Silence, allowing them to target one of your creatures or any other creature on the board.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, you cast the spell and choose a target creature. Upon resolution, the damage prevention shield is applied to that creature. Immediately after, the creature's controller decides whether to sacrifice a land. This is a choice made during resolution; players cannot wait to see what the copy targets before deciding to sacrifice. If a land is sacrificed, the copy is put directly onto the stack, and the player can choose a new target for it. This process can repeat indefinitely as long as players have lands to give up.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that the copy is 'cast.' In reality, the copy is created directly on the stack, so it won't trigger abilities that care about spells being cast. Additionally, note that the damage prevention lasts for the entire turn, even if the creature changes controllers or gains new abilities later in that turn. Finally, remember that sacrificing a land is entirely optional; if the player chooses not to, the chain ends immediately.
When to Play It
This card is best used when you are facing a single high-threat creature and you have a significant land advantage, or when your opponent is 'mana screwed' and cannot afford to lose resources. It is also an excellent tool in multiplayer formats like Commander to negotiate with other players, potentially encouraging them to target a common enemy's creature after you start the chain.
Interaction examples
If your opponent attacks with a 10/10 creature, you cast Chain of Silence targeting it. If they choose not to sacrifice a land, that creature deals 0 damage this turn. If they do sacrifice a land, they can copy the spell to target your own creature, but their 10/10 is still prevented from dealing damage.
Swords to PlowsharesIf you target a creature with Chain of Silence and your opponent sacrifices a land to copy it, they might target your creature in return. You can respond to that copy by casting Swords to Plowshares on your own creature. The creature is exiled and you gain life, and when their copy of Chain of Silence tries to resolve, it will fizzle (be removed from the stack) because its target is no longer legal.
Path to ExileYou can use Path to Exile to give yourself an extra land before casting Chain of Silence. This ensures that if a 'chain' starts and your opponent begins sacrificing lands to target your creatures, you have the extra resources to sacrifice your own lands and keep the chain going until your opponent can no longer afford the cost.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Chain of Silence
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
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Meta decks with Chain of Silence
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