ElectrifyHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Electrify is an instant-speed spell that costs four mana, including one red. When cast, it targets a single creature on the battlefield and deals 4 damage to it upon resolution. Because it is an instant, you can cast it during your turn or an opponent's turn to react to combat or end-step plays.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Electrify by paying its mana cost of {3}{R} and choosing a legal target creature. Once it is on the stack, players may respond with their own spells or abilities. If the target is still legal when Electrify begins to resolve, the spell deals 4 damage to that creature. Finally, the spell is put into your graveyard and state-based actions are checked to see if the creature has been dealt lethal damage.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is attempting to target a player or a planeswalker with Electrify. According to its Oracle text, this spell can only target a 'creature.' Additionally, remember that if the target creature gains protection from red or hexproof before Electrify resolves, the spell will fail to resolve and deal no damage.

When to Play It

Electrify is best used to remove key utility creatures or blockers that have 4 or less toughness. Since it is an instant, it is particularly effective during the declare blockers step to finish off a creature that has already taken combat damage or to clear a path for your attackers.

Interaction examples

Changing the Target

Deflecting Swat

You cast Electrify targeting an opponent's creature. In response, your opponent casts Deflecting Swat. Since Electrify is a spell with a single target, your opponent can use Deflecting Swat to change the target of Electrify to one of your own creatures, provided that creature is a legal target.

Missing the Window

Chaos Warp

If you cast Electrify targeting a creature, and an opponent responds by casting Chaos Warp on that same creature, the creature is shuffled into the library before Electrify resolves. When Electrify tries to resolve, it finds its target is no longer on the battlefield and the spell is removed from the stack with no effect.