Icy Blast 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
Tap X target creatures. Ferocious — If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, those creatures don't untap during their controllers' next untap steps.
Complete guide
Icy Blast is a versatile blue instant that can stall an opponent's offense or clear the way for your own lethal strike. By utilizing the Ferocious mechanic, this spell transforms from a simple temporary tap effect into a powerful multi-turn lockdown. Whether you are playing for tempo or looking to secure a win, understanding how its power check works is key to mastery.
Tapping and Power Scaling
At its core, Icy Blast requires you to choose a value for X when you cast it, which determines how many creatures you can target. You pay X plus one blue mana. Upon resolution, the spell attempts to tap all of its legal targets. Crucially, the Ferocious ability checks if you control a creature with power 4 or greater exactly as the spell resolves. If you do, those creatures will remain tapped during their controllers' next untap steps.
The Ferocious Condition
Unlike some spells that use the word "instead" to replace an effect, Icy Blast provides an additional effect. If you meet the Ferocious requirement, the creatures are tapped AND they are prevented from untapping. If you do not control a power 4 or greater creature at the moment of resolution, the creatures are only tapped. Note that the spell tracks the creatures themselves; if a creature changes controllers, the 'does not untap' effect follows it to the new controller's next untap step.
Timing and Strategy
Because Icy Blast is an instant, the best time to cast it is often during your opponent's Beginning of Combat step or at the end of their turn. Even if a creature is already tapped, you can still target it with Icy Blast. While the tap effect won't do anything new, the Ferocious effect will still apply, ensuring that the creature stays tapped for an extra turn cycle.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is thinking the power check happens when you cast the spell. In reality, your opponent can respond by destroying your large creature. If you no longer control a creature with power 4 or greater when Icy Blast tries to resolve, you will lose the 'freeze' effect. Additionally, remember that if a target becomes illegal (such as gaining protection or hexproof), it will not be tapped and the freeze effect will not apply to it.
Interaction examples
You cast Icy Blast for X=2, targeting two blockers while you control a 4/4 creature. Your opponent has no response. As Icy Blast resolves, it checks your board, sees the 4/4, and taps both blockers. Those blockers are now flagged to remain tapped during your opponent's next untap step.
CounterspellYou cast Icy Blast aiming to tap down the enemy board. In response, your opponent casts Counterspell targeting Icy Blast. The entire spell is removed from the stack and put into the graveyard. None of the targets are tapped, and the Ferocious check never occurs.
An Offer You Can't RefuseYou attempt to cast Icy Blast to survive an incoming attack. Your opponent responds with An Offer You Can't Refuse. Because Icy Blast is a noncreature spell, it is countered. You do not get to tap the creatures, but you do create two Treasure tokens as a consolation prize.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Icy Blast
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You check if you control a creature with power 4 or greater as Icy Blast resolves. It doesn’t matter if you control such a creature during any of the relevant untap steps.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Icy Blast can target a creature that’s already tapped. It still won’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Icy Blast tracks the creature, but not its controller. If the creature changes controllers before its first controller’s next untap step has come around, then it won’t untap during its new controller’s next untap step.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Some ferocious abilities that appear on instants and sorceries use the word “instead.” These spells have an upgraded effect if you control a creature with power 4 or greater as they resolve. For these, you only get the upgraded effect, not both effects.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Ferocious abilities of instants and sorceries that don’t use the word “instead” will provide an additional effect if you control a creature with power 4 or greater as they resolve.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Icy Blast
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