Hail of Arrows 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
Hail of Arrows deals X damage divided as you choose among any number of target attacking creatures.
Complete guide
Hail of Arrows is a flexible white instant that can decimate an opponent's combat phase by raining down a volley of damage. Whether you are facing a single massive threat or a swarm of smaller creatures, this spell allows you to distribute your resources exactly where they are needed most. Mastering the timing and targeting of this spell is key to turning the tide of battle.
Variable Damage Distribution
When you cast Hail of Arrows, you choose a value for X and pay the mana cost. Because the damage is divided among targets, you must choose how much damage each target creature will receive at the moment you cast the spell. You can target any number of attacking creatures, but keep in mind that every single target you select must be assigned at least 1 damage.
Resolution Step by Step
First, the spell is cast and targets are chosen, with the damage division announced immediately. Second, players have the opportunity to respond with spells or abilities. Third, as the spell resolves, it checks if the targets are still legal. If a target is no longer on the battlefield or has gained protection, the damage originally assigned to it is simply lost; it cannot be reassigned to the remaining legal targets.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is trying to change the damage distribution after a target is removed from combat. Once you have locked in the division during casting, it is fixed. Another mistake is forgetting that Hail of Arrows can only target attacking creatures; you cannot use this spell to ping a creature that is blocking or one that is simply sitting on the sidelines.
When to Play It
The best time to cast Hail of Arrows is during the Declare Attackers step or the Declare Blockers step. By waiting until your opponent has committed their forces to an attack, you ensure you have the maximum number of targets available. It is particularly effective as a combat trick to finish off creatures that have already been weakened by your blockers.
Interaction examples
Swords to PlowsharesSuppose you cast Hail of Arrows with X=4, targeting two 2/2 attacking creatures and assigning 2 damage to each. In response, your opponent casts Swords to Plowshares to exile one of their own creatures to gain life. When Hail of Arrows resolves, it sees only one legal target. The 2 damage assigned to the exiled creature is lost, and the remaining creature is still dealt exactly 2 damage as originally planned.
Path to ExileYou are being attacked by three 1/1 tokens and one 5/5 creature. You cast Hail of Arrows for X=3 to deal 1 damage to each token, effectively clearing them out. If you also had Path to Exile in hand, you could use it to remove the 5/5 creature separately, using Hail of Arrows specifically as a board wipe for the smaller threats.
If your opponent attacks with a single large creature, you can cast Hail of Arrows where X equals that creature's toughness. By choosing only one target, all X damage is assigned to that single attacking creature, acting as a straightforward removal spell for {X}{W}.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Hail of Arrows
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You choose how the damage will be divided among the target creatures at the time you cast Hail of Arrows. Each target must be dealt at least 1 damage. If any of those creatures becomes an illegal target before Hail of Arrows resolves, the division of damage among the remaining creatures doesn’t change.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Hail of Arrows
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