Jaheira's RespiteHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

When you cast Jaheira's Respite, you count the number of creatures currently attacking you to determine the value of X. You then search your library for that many basic land cards and put them onto the battlefield tapped. Finally, it prevents all combat damage that would be dealt for the rest of the turn, regardless of whether that damage was directed at you, your planeswalkers, or your own creatures.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, the spell checks the current state of the battlefield during the combat phase. It counts every creature attacking you specifically (it does not count creatures attacking planeswalkers you control or creatures attacking other players in multiplayer). Second, you search your library for up to that many basic lands and put them onto the battlefield tapped. Third, you shuffle your library. Lastly, a continuous effect is created that prevents all combat damage for the remainder of the turn.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that the damage prevention applies to all combat damage, not just damage from the creatures attacking you. If you have blockers, they won't deal damage to the attackers either. Also, remember that X is locked in at the moment the spell resolves; if an attacking creature is removed from combat before the spell resolves, it won't be counted for X.

When to Play It

The best time to cast this spell is during the Declare Attackers step or the Declare Blockers step. Since it prevents all combat damage, you can safely choose not to block, maximize the number of lands you fetch, and ensure you survive to use that mana on your next turn.

Interaction examples

Scaling for the Late Game

Second Harvest

If an opponent attacks you with ten tokens, you cast Jaheira's Respite to put ten basic lands onto the battlefield. On your following turn, you can use all that new mana to cast Second Harvest, doubling your own board presence and overwhelming the opponent who just tried to attack you.

Finding Your Answers

Return of the Wildspeaker

After an opponent attacks you with five creatures, you cast Jaheira's Respite to safely ramp five lands. Even though the damage is prevented, your creatures remain on the board. You can then use your untapped mana to cast Return of the Wildspeaker, drawing cards equal to your strongest creature's power to find a win condition with your newly acquired mana.