Chain of Smog 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

Target player discards two cards. That player may copy this spell and may choose a new target for that copy.

Complete guide

Chain of Smog is a high-risk sorcery that creates a political or self-destructive cycle at the table. While it forces discards, its unique copy mechanism allows the targeted player to keep the chain going indefinitely. This card is often used to fill your own graveyard or punish an opponent who lacks cards to retaliate.

What it Does

Chain of Smog is a two-mana black sorcery that targets a player and forces them to discard two cards. The defining feature is the optional copy effect: after the spell resolves, the player who just discarded may choose to copy the spell and select a new target. This process can repeat as long as the current target chooses to keep the chain alive, even if they have no cards left in hand to discard.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, the spell is cast and a target player is chosen. Upon resolution, that player discards two cards from their hand (or as many as they have if they have fewer than two). After the discard happens, the game checks if that player wants to copy the spell. If they do, they create a copy on the stack and may choose a new target. This copy is not 'cast,' so it won't trigger effects that look for spells being cast, but it is a spell on the stack that resolves just like the original.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that you must have cards in hand to copy the spell. In reality, you can choose to copy Chain of Smog even if you have zero cards in hand. This is vital for decks that want to trigger 'whenever you cast or copy a spell' abilities infinitely. Another mistake is forgetting that the copy is controlled by the player who was just targeted, not the original caster.

When to Play It

Strategically, you play this when you want to empty your own hand for graveyard synergies or when you are certain your opponent cannot benefit from copying it. It is particularly powerful in combinations where you target yourself repeatedly to trigger secondary abilities.

Interaction examples

Setting up the Graveyard

Reanimate

You cast Chain of Smog targeting yourself. You discard two cards, including a powerful creature. You choose not to copy the spell. Now that the creature is in your graveyard, you cast Reanimate to bring that creature directly onto the battlefield. This uses the 'downside' of Chain of Smog as a reliable discard outlet.

Searching for the Chain

Demonic Tutor

If you have a board state that benefits from infinite copies (like a Magecraft ability), you use Demonic Tutor to search your library for Chain of Smog. Once added to your hand, you cast it targeting yourself. Even with an empty hand, you continue to copy the spell targeting yourself over and over, generating an infinite number of copy triggers for your other permanents.

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