FamineHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Symmetrical Scouring

Famine is a sorcery that deals 3 damage to every single creature on the battlefield and every player in the game. Unlike targeted removal, it does not care about Hexproof or Shroud, as it affects the entire board simultaneously. If a creature has 3 or less toughness, it will likely be destroyed by state-based actions immediately after this spell finishes resolving.

The Resolution Process

When Famine resolves, the game calculates 3 damage to each creature and player at once. First, any damage prevention or replacement effects are applied. Next, the damage is marked on creatures and players' life totals are reduced. Finally, after the spell has finished resolving and is put into the graveyard, the game checks for state-based actions; any creature with lethal damage is destroyed, and any player with 0 or less life loses the game.

Strategic Timing

Because Famine is a Sorcery, you can only cast it during your main phase when the stack is empty. It is best used when your opponents have several small creatures or when you are ahead on life and want to put your opponents into a precarious position. Be careful, as the damage to yourself can be just as lethal as the damage to your foes.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that Famine hits you and your creatures as well. It does not distinguish between friends and foes. Additionally, because it is damage-based, creatures with Protection from Black or Indestructible will survive, unlike 'destroy' effects found on other black board wipes.

Interaction examples

Famine vs. Damnation

Damnation

If you are facing a board of 4/4 creatures, Damnation is the superior choice because it destroys them regardless of toughness. However, if your opponent is at 3 life, Damnation only clears the board, whereas Famine clears smaller creatures and wins you the game by dealing that final 3 damage to the player.

The Post-Famine Recovery

Living Death

You can use Famine to clear a board of small utility creatures and tokens, sending them to the graveyard. On a later turn, you can cast Living Death. This sequence is powerful because Famine ensures your opponents' creatures are in the graveyard before Living Death swaps the current battlefield with those graveyards, potentially giving you the upper hand.

Surviving the Famine

Imagine you control a 2/4 creature and a 3/3 creature. You cast Famine. The spell deals 3 damage to everything. Your 3/3 receives 3 damage and is destroyed when state-based actions are checked. Your 2/4 survives with 3 damage marked on it, as it has 4 toughness. Both you and your opponent also lose 3 life.