Guidance FailureHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Cost Reduction for Defense

The mana cost of Guidance Failure is dynamic. While its base cost is three generic and one blue mana, the spell checks the state of its target as you cast it. If the target is an attacking creature, the cost is reduced by one generic mana, making it a three-mana response. Note that this reduction only applies if the creature is currently in the 'attacking' state during the combat phase.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Guidance Failure resolves, the owner of the target creature or Spacecraft makes a critical choice. They decide whether the permanent goes to the very top or the very bottom of their library. Once the choice is made, the permanent is moved directly from the battlefield to that position. This bypasses 'destroy' effects and 'dies' triggers, as the card never hits the graveyard.

Common Strategic Mistakes

Players often forget that the owner of the permanent—not the person casting Guidance Failure—chooses the destination. If you use this on an opponent's commander, they may choose to put it in the Command Zone instead of the library due to special format rules. Additionally, remember that if the target becomes illegal before resolution, the entire spell fails and no one chooses a library position.

When to Deploy Guidance Failure

This spell is most effective against indestructible threats or creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects that an opponent might want to recur from the graveyard. By putting the card on the bottom of the library, you effectively remove it from the game for the foreseeable future, unless your opponent has a way to search or shuffle their deck.

Interaction examples

Responding to a Draw Engine

Frantic Search

If your opponent casts Frantic Search to dig for answers, you can cast Guidance Failure in response to remove their best blocker. While Frantic Search allows them to untap lands, Guidance Failure will ensure that the creature they were relying on is tucked away on top or bottom of their library before they draw their new cards.

The Price of Protection

Fierce Guardianship

If you attempt to cast Guidance Failure on an attacking commander for three mana, your opponent might respond with Fierce Guardianship for free. Because Guidance Failure is a creature-targeting spell (unless targeting a noncreature Spacecraft), Fierce Guardianship can successfully counter it, preventing the creature from being moved to the library.