Magic DamperHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Magic Damper Does

This spell provides three distinct benefits to a single target creature you control for the low cost of one blue mana. First, it grants +1/+1, which can help a creature survive combat or deal that last bit of lethal damage. Second, it grants hexproof, meaning your opponent cannot target that creature with spells or abilities until the end of the turn. Finally, it untaps the creature, effectively giving it 'pseudo-vigilance' or allowing it to use a tap ability once more.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When you cast Magic Damper, you must choose a legal target: a creature you control. As the spell resolves, the target creature first receives the +1/+1 bonus and the hexproof keyword. Immediately after these effects are applied, the creature is untapped. Note that because the spell requires a target, if the creature leaves the battlefield or becomes an illegal target before Magic Damper resolves, the entire spell will fail to resolve and none of its effects will occur.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common error is trying to use Magic Damper to protect a creature from spells that do not target, such as board wipes that say 'destroy all creatures.' Hexproof only prevents targeting; it does not stop global effects. Additionally, remember that you can only target a creature you control. You cannot use this to untap an opponent's creature or grant hexproof to an opponent's threat to prevent them from buffing it themselves.

When to Play It

The most effective time to cast Magic Damper is in response to an opponent's removal spell. By doing so, you make their spell fizzle due to the new hexproof status while also strengthening your creature. It is also excellent during the Declare Attackers step; if you attacked with a creature, you can cast this to untap it, leaving a buffed blocker ready for your opponent's turn.

Interaction examples

Protecting from Countermagic

Counterspell

If your opponent attempts to use Counterspell on your creature spell while it is on the stack, Magic Damper cannot help because it only targets creatures already on the battlefield. However, if your creature is already on the battlefield and your opponent targets it with a removal spell, casting Magic Damper in response will grant hexproof, causing the opponent's spell to lose its target and fail.

The Strategic Trade-Off

An Offer You Can't Refuse

If you cast Magic Damper to save your creature, an opponent might respond with An Offer You Can't Refuse to counter it. In this scenario, Magic Damper is countered, and your creature does not get the buff or hexproof. However, because you controlled the countered noncreature spell, you will create two Treasure tokens, giving you a mana advantage for future turns.

Surprise Combat Defense

You attack with a 2/2 creature. During your opponent's turn, they attack you back. You cast Magic Damper on your tapped creature. The creature untaps, becomes a 3/3, and gains hexproof. You can now use that creature to block, potentially destroying an attacking creature your opponent thought was safe.