Forbidding Spirit 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
When this creature enters, until your next turn, creatures can't attack you or planeswalkers you control unless their controller paysfor each of those creatures.
Complete guide
Forbidding Spirit is a spectral guardian that forces your opponents to pay a heavy tax if they wish to strike. This Spirit Cleric provides a powerful defensive layer that lasts well beyond its arrival on the battlefield. Understanding how its triggered ability taxes combat is essential for controlling the pace of the game.
A Spectral Tax
When Forbidding Spirit enters the battlefield, its triggered ability creates a continuous effect that lasts until your next turn. Unlike some abilities that only target creatures currently on the board, this tax applies to all creatures an opponent might control. Even if a creature is played after Forbidding Spirit has already resolved, its controller must still pay {2} for that creature to attack you or a planeswalker you control.
Resolution and Persistence
The ability triggers the moment Forbidding Spirit hits the table. Once it resolves, the effect is locked in until your next turn begins. Notably, this effect is not tied to the Spirit remaining on the battlefield; if your opponent destroys Forbidding Spirit immediately after the ability resolves, they are still required to pay the tax for the duration of the effect. This makes it an incredibly reliable deterrent against aggressive strategies.
Forced Combat and Payments
A common point of confusion involves creatures that are required to attack 'if able.' Forbidding Spirit's tax changes whether a creature is 'able' to attack. If an opponent cannot or chooses not to pay the {2} per creature, those creatures simply do not attack. They are not forced to pay the mana just to satisfy an attacking requirement, nor are they forced to attack a different player if they choose not to pay the tax for you.
Strategic Timing
To get the most value, play Forbidding Spirit during your second main phase after you have attacked. This ensures the protection covers your opponent's upcoming turn entirely. In multiplayer formats like Two-Headed Giant, remember that this only protects you and your planeswalkers; your teammate and their planeswalkers remain valid targets for attackers unless they have their own protection.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne with 'Spirit' or 'Cleric' chosen as the creature type, Forbidding Spirit's ability triggers twice when it enters. Each trigger creates a separate requirement to pay {2}. This means until your next turn, opponents must pay a total of {4} for each creature they wish to send your way.
Solemn SimulacrumAfter Forbidding Spirit's ability resolves, your opponent wants to attack with Solemn Simulacrum. Even though the Golem was already on the battlefield, the player must pay {2} to declare it as an attacker against you. If they cannot pay, the Golem must stay untapped or attack a different player/planeswalker not protected by the Spirit.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Forbidding Spirit
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Because it doesn’t modify the characteristics of creatures, Forbidding Spirit’s triggered ability can affect creatures that enter the battlefield after that ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
While Forbidding Spirit’s effect is in effect, your opponents can choose not to pay to attack with a creature that attacks “if able.” If there’s no other player or planeswalker to attack, that creature simply doesn’t attack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Forbidding Spirit’s effect continues until your next turn even if Forbidding Spirit leaves the battlefield before then.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
In a Two-Headed Giant game, creatures can attack your teammate and planeswalkers your teammate controls without requiring a mana payment.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Forbidding Spirit
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.