Curtain of Light 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
Cast this spell only during combat after blockers are declared. Target unblocked attacking creature becomes blocked. (This spell works on creatures that can't be blocked.) Draw a card.
Complete guide
Curtain of Light is a unique white instant that provides a clever way to stop an incoming threat even if you have no creatures on the board. By turning an unblocked attacker into a blocked one, you can negate damage and cycle through your deck simultaneously. It is a niche but effective tool for controlling the flow of combat.
What It Does
Curtain of Light targets an attacking creature that the defending player chose not to block. Once the spell resolves, that creature's status changes to "blocked," even though there is no physical creature in front of it. Because the creature is now blocked, it will not deal any combat damage to the player or planeswalker it was attacking, unless it has trample. Additionally, the spell lets you draw a card, ensuring you don't lose card advantage.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, wait for the Declare Blockers step to begin; you cannot cast this during the Declare Attackers step. Second, identify an attacking creature that has not been assigned a blocker. Third, cast Curtain of Light targeting that creature. When the spell resolves, the creature becomes blocked. Finally, you draw a card. During the Combat Damage step, the creature will check for blockers; since it is blocked but has no creature to deal damage to, it simply deals no damage.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake involves using this against creatures with trample. According to official rulings, if a creature has trample and is blocked by 'nothing' via Curtain of Light, it still assigns all its damage to the defending player. Another mistake is trying to cast it too early. You must wait until the defending player has finished declaring all blocks to ensure the target is legally 'unblocked.'
When to Play It
This spell is best used when an opponent attacks with a single high-power creature that you cannot afford to take damage from. It is also useful in multiple combat phase scenarios, as you can cast it during any combat phase as long as it is after the beginning of that phase's Declare Blockers step. It acts as a 'fog' effect for one specific threat while helping you dig for more permanent answers.
Interaction examples
An opponent attacks you with a massive creature. You have no blockers. During the Declare Blockers step, you cast Curtain of Light on that creature. The creature becomes blocked, deals zero damage to you, and you draw a card to find a better answer next turn.
Swords to PlowsharesAn opponent attacks with an unblocked creature. You cast Curtain of Light to ensure you don't take damage this turn. After drawing your card from Curtain of Light, you then use the mana or the card you just drew to cast Swords to Plowshares to exile that creature permanently before it can attack again.
Path to ExileIf you are under pressure, you can use Curtain of Light to block a creature and draw a card. If the draw gives you a Path to Exile, you can immediately cast it on a second attacking creature that was also unblocked, effectively neutralizing two threats in one combat phase.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Curtain of Light
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If a turn has multiple combat phases, this spell can be cast during any of them as long as it’s after the beginning of that phase’s Declare Blockers Step.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
An attacking unblocked creature exists from the time the defending player chooses not to block that creature until the combat phase ends. Curtain of Light doesn’t have any legal targets outside of the combat phase.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Curtain of Light does trigger bushido abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Curtain of Light isn’t particularly effective against creatures with trample. Since the creature with trample has no blocker to assign damage to, all the damage will be assigned to the defending player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Curtain of Light
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