Leaden FistsHow it works & interactions with other cards

Double-Edged Strength

Leaden Fists grants the enchanted creature a significant +3/+3 power and toughness boost, making even a small creature a formidable threat. However, this strength comes at a literal cost: the creature becomes weighed down and will not untap during its controller's untap step as long as it remains enchanted.

Resolving the Enchantment

When you cast Leaden Fists, you choose a target creature on the battlefield. Upon resolution, the Aura enters the battlefield attached to that creature. The +3/+3 bonus applies immediately. The 'doesn't untap' effect is a continuous effect that applies specifically during the untap step; it does not tap the creature when it first becomes enchanted.

Timing and Strategy

The Flash keyword is the most important part of this card's identity. You can cast it after an opponent has declared attackers to pump a blocker, or wait until the end of an opponent's turn to enchant their best creature after they have used it to attack, effectively locking it in a tapped state for the foreseeable future.

Common Misconceptions

A common mistake is assuming Leaden Fists taps the creature when it enters the battlefield. It does not. If you enchant an untapped creature, it stays untapped and can still block or use activated abilities. It only becomes stuck once it has been tapped for any reason, such as attacking or paying a cost.

Interaction examples

Defensive Lockdown

Propaganda

If your opponent pays the cost required by Propaganda to attack you with a creature, you can cast Leaden Fists on that creature during the declare attackers step. The creature will deal significantly more damage if it isn't blocked, but because it is now tapped and enchanted by Leaden Fists, it will fail to untap during the opponent's next turn, buying you time to find a permanent solution.

Fishing for Answers

Rhystic Study

When you have Rhystic Study on the board and your opponent casts a spell, they must choose whether to pay {1}. If they do not, and you draw Leaden Fists, you can immediately cast it thanks to Flash. This allows you to respond to their board development by buffing your own blocker or neutralizing their new threat's ability to untap before your next turn starts.