Press the AdvantageHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Press the Advantage allows you to choose zero, one, or two target creatures. Each targeted creature receives a +2/+2 stat boost and gains the trample keyword until the end of the current turn. Because it is an instant, you can cast it during your opponent's turn to surprise their attackers or during your own combat phase to capitalize on unblocked creatures.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, as you cast the spell, you must announce how many targets you are choosing (up to two) and identify them. Second, as the spell resolves, it checks if those targets are still legal. If you chose two targets and one is removed before resolution, the remaining legal target still receives the full +2/+2 and trample. Finally, the effects are applied simultaneously to all legal targets, lasting until the cleanup step of the current turn.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion occurs when a creature is targeted but gains hexproof or leaves the battlefield in response. Remember that Press the Advantage only fails entirely if *all* its chosen targets become illegal. If at least one target is still legal, the spell resolves and does as much as it can. Also, keep in mind that trample only functions during combat damage, so casting this after the damage step will not help you deal damage to a player.

When to Play It

The best time to cast Press the Advantage is usually after your opponent has declared their blockers. By waiting until this moment, you can choose creatures that weren't blocked to maximize trample damage, or buff a creature that is about to lose in combat to save it and destroy the blocker instead. It is also a great response to damage-based removal spells, as the +2/+2 might push your creature's toughness out of range.

Interaction examples

Maximizing Trample Damage

Beast Within

You attack with two 2/2 creatures, and your opponent blocks one with a 3/3 Beast token created by Beast Within. You cast Press the Advantage targeting both your attackers. Your blocked creature becomes a 4/4 with trample, allowing it to destroy the 3/3 token and deal 1 excess damage to the opponent. Meanwhile, your unblocked 2/2 becomes a 4/4 and deals 4 damage directly, totaling 5 damage from a board that looked stalled.

Synergy with Power-Based Draw

Return of the Wildspeaker

Suppose you control a 4/4 non-Human creature. Before casting Return of the Wildspeaker, you cast Press the Advantage targeting that creature. It becomes a 6/6. When you then resolve the first mode of Return of the Wildspeaker, you will draw six cards instead of four, effectively using the combat trick to refill your hand while preparing for an attack.