Crossbow AmbushHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Crossbow Ambush gives every creature you currently control the 'Reach' keyword until the end of the turn. This keyword allows your creatures to block creatures with flying, effectively grounding your opponent's offensive for a full combat cycle.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you cast Crossbow Ambush, it goes on the stack. Upon resolution, it checks which creatures you control at that exact moment. Those creatures gain reach. Any creatures that enter the battlefield after the spell has finished resolving will not have reach, as the effect only applies to the set of creatures present during resolution.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is casting this after blockers have already been declared. To successfully block a flyer, you must cast Crossbow Ambush during the Beginning of Combat step or the Declare Attackers step. Once the Declare Blockers step begins, it is too late to give your creatures reach to stop an unblocked flyer.

When to Play It

The best time to use this spell is immediately after your opponent declares their attackers. By waiting until the last possible moment, you maximize the chance of destroying an attacking creature that your opponent assumed was unblockable, potentially swinging the tempo of the game in your favor.

Interaction examples

The Ultimate Defense

Heroic Intervention

If your opponent attacks with flyers and tries to use a removal spell on your blocker, you can cast Crossbow Ambush to grant reach and follow up with Heroic Intervention. This ensures your creatures can block the flyers and survive the combat or the removal spell thanks to indestructible and hexproof.

Finding a Blocker

Worldly Tutor

If you have a way to draw a card at instant speed, you can cast Worldly Tutor to put a high-toughness creature on top of your library, draw it, and cast it. If that creature is already on the battlefield when you subsequently cast Crossbow Ambush, it will gain reach and be able to stop an incoming flyer.