FogHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Fog is a one-mana instant that creates a continuous effect for the remainder of the turn. Once it resolves, every instance of combat damage that would be dealt—whether by your creatures or your opponent's creatures—is prevented. It does not matter if the creature has trample, double strike, or flying; if the damage is categorized as combat damage, it is reduced to zero.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Fog, usually during the Declare Attackers or Declare Blockers step of combat. Upon resolution, the spell creates a prevention shield that lasts until the end of the current turn. When the game moves to the Combat Damage step, the game checks for all damage being dealt by attacking and blocking creatures. The prevention effect from Fog applies to all these instances simultaneously, meaning no player or planeswalker loses loyalty or life from combat, and no creatures are destroyed via combat damage.

Common Mistakes

A frequent misconception is that Fog prevents all forms of damage. It strictly prevents 'combat damage,' which is damage dealt by creatures as a result of the turn-based combat damage step. It will not stop non-combat damage, such as damage from spells or activated abilities like 'pingers.' Additionally, Fog does not stop creatures from being 'destroyed' by effects that don't deal damage, nor does it prevent 'loss of life' effects.

When to Play It

The most effective time to cast Fog is during your opponent's turn after they have committed all their attackers but before damage is dealt. This forces them to tap their creatures and potentially waste combat-related buffs, leaving them vulnerable to a counter-attack on your following turn.

Interaction examples

Survival and Strategic Setup

Worldly Tutor

If your opponent swings for lethal damage, you cast Fog to survive the turn. Once the combat damage is prevented and their creatures are tapped, you can cast Worldly Tutor during their end step to find a game-winning creature and place it on top of your library for your next draw.

Defensive Layers

Heroic Intervention

If an opponent attacks you and then tries to use a destruction spell like a board wipe after combat, you can combine Fog and Heroic Intervention. Fog prevents the combat damage to your life total, while Heroic Intervention ensures your creatures survive any post-combat removal spells.

Protecting Key Advisors

Foggy Nelson, On Retainer

You can use Foggy Nelson, On Retainer to give a key creature hexproof and a +1/+1 counter at flash speed. If the opponent still decides to attack into your newly strengthened creature, casting Fog ensures that your creature survives the combat encounter entirely, regardless of how large the blocked attacker is.