Crackling DoomHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Crackling Doom performs two distinct actions when it resolves: it deals 2 damage to each of your opponents and forces each of them to sacrifice their creature with the greatest power. Because the spell does not use the word 'target,' it can affect players with hexproof or creatures with protection from red, white, or black. The two effects are independent; even if the damage is prevented by a shield or an ability, the sacrifice effect still occurs.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the spell deals 2 damage to each opponent. Next, starting with the active player (the player whose turn it is) and proceeding in turn order, each opponent identifies which creature they control has the highest power. If an opponent has a tie for the greatest power, they choose one of those creatures. After every opponent has made their choice, all selected creatures are sacrificed simultaneously. This means later players in the turn order have the advantage of knowing what earlier players are sacrificing before they finalize their own choice.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming you, the caster, get to choose which creature the opponent sacrifices. You do not; the opponent always chooses which of their creatures they lose if there is a tie for the highest power. Another common mistake involves targeting protections; since Crackling Doom does not target, cards that grant 'Hexproof' or 'Shroud' to a creature do not protect it from being sacrificed by this spell.

When to Play It

Since Crackling Doom is an instant, it is best used when your opponent commits to an attack or tries to cast a spell to buff their creature. It is also an excellent answer to 'Voltron' strategies where a single massive creature is the opponent's main win condition. If you need to ensure a specific creature is sacrificed, you may want to use other removal spells first to clear away creatures that have higher power than your actual target.

Interaction examples

Dealing with Tokens

Generous Gift

If your opponent controls a 10/10 Eldrazi and you want them to sacrifice it, but they also control a 12/12 creature, you can cast Generous Gift to destroy the 12/12 first. The opponent gets a 3/3 Elephant. Then, when you cast Crackling Doom, the 10/10 will be their creature with the greatest power, forcing them to sacrifice it.

Responding to Shuffles

Chaos Warp

Imagine your opponent has a creature that grows based on the number of permanents they control. You cast Crackling Doom, and in response, the opponent casts Chaos Warp on their own creature to try and flip into something else. The Chaos Warp resolves first, shuffling the creature away. When Crackling Doom finally resolves, it will check the board again and force the opponent to sacrifice whatever their new highest-power creature is.