Compound FractureHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Compound Fracture is an instant that targets a single creature and gives it -1/-1 until end of turn. Additionally, it checks your graveyard at the moment the spell resolves to see how many other cards named Compound Fracture are already there. For each one it finds, the target creature suffers an additional -1/-1 penalty.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you cast Compound Fracture and choose a legal target. When the spell resolves, it checks the number of cards named Compound Fracture in your graveyard. Note that the physical card currently resolving is on the stack, not in the graveyard yet, so it does not count itself. Once the total penalty is calculated (1 + the number of copies in the graveyard), the target creature's power and toughness are reduced accordingly until the end of the current turn.

Common Mistakes

The most frequent error is counting the spell you are currently casting. If your graveyard is empty, the target only gets -1/-1, even though you are holding the card. Another mistake is forgetting that this is a static check upon resolution; if a card is removed from your graveyard in response to you casting this spell, the reduction will be smaller than you originally planned.

When to Play It

This card is best used in decks that can quickly cycle through their library or in long matches where you can wear down an opponent's resources. Because it scales, it is an efficient way to kill small utility creatures early or finish off a damaged titan later in the game.

Interaction examples

Starting the Chain

If you cast Compound Fracture while your graveyard is empty, it targets a creature. Upon resolution, it sees zero copies of itself in the graveyard. The creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.

Powering Up with Rituals

Dark Ritual

You cast Dark Ritual to add three black mana to your pool. You then cast your first Compound Fracture (reducing a creature by -1/-1) and immediately follow up with a second Compound Fracture. The second spell sees the first one in the graveyard and gives its target -2/-2.

Setting Up the Graveyard

Vampiric Tutor

If you use Vampiric Tutor to put a second copy of Compound Fracture on top of your library and then draw it, you ensure your next cast is stronger. Once one copy is already in your graveyard from a previous turn, any subsequent Compound Fracture you cast will provide at least a -2/-2 debuff.