Chain Reaction 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
Chain Reaction deals X damage to each creature, where X is the number of creatures on the battlefield.
Complete guide
Chain Reaction is a powerful red board wipe that scales based on the current population of the battlefield. It is particularly effective in decks that can generate a massive amount of mana or face off against token-heavy strategies. Understanding the timing of this spell is crucial to maximizing its destructive potential.
What It Does
Chain Reaction is a sorcery that deals X damage to every creature currently on the battlefield. The value of X is not set when you cast the spell; instead, it is equal to the total number of creatures present across all players' boards. This includes your own creatures, so be prepared for a total reset if the creature count is high enough.
Resolving the Spell Step-by-Step
When you cast Chain Reaction, it is placed on the stack. Once both players pass priority and the spell begins to resolve, you count the number of creatures currently on the battlefield. This number becomes X. Chain Reaction then deals that much damage to each creature simultaneously. If any creatures have abilities that trigger when damage is dealt, those will wait to be put on the stack until after the spell finished resolving and creatures with lethal damage have been moved to the graveyard.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is calculating X at the wrong time. If a player responds to Chain Reaction by removing creatures or creating new ones, the value of X will change accordingly. X is only locked in at the exact moment the spell resolves. Additionally, remember that Chain Reaction does not target; creatures with Hexproof or Shroud will still be dealt damage.
When to Play It
Chain Reaction is best used when the board is cluttered. Since it requires four mana, including two red, you want to ensure you have the resources to cast it before your opponents' creatures become overwhelming. It is an excellent comeback mechanic when you are behind on board presence but have the mana to spare.
Interaction examples
Mana GeyserIf your opponents have ten tapped lands total, you can cast Mana Geyser to add ten red mana to your mana pool. You can then use four of that mana to cast Chain Reaction. If there are five creatures on the board, Chain Reaction will deal 5 damage to each of them, likely clearing the path while leaving you with six red mana to spend on other spells.
Jeska's WillIf you control your commander and cast Jeska's Will, you can choose both modes. You add red mana based on an opponent's hand size and exile the top three cards of your library. If Chain Reaction is among those exiled cards, you can use the mana generated by Jeska's Will to cast it immediately. The damage dealt will then be determined by the total creature count on resolution.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Chain Reaction
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
The value of X is determined as Chain Reaction resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Chain Reaction
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.