PrizefightHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Fight and a Reward

When you cast Prizefight, you must choose two targets: one creature you control and one creature you don't control. Unlike some fight spells that are dependent on the outcome, Prizefight always grants you a Treasure token as long as the spell resolves. The fight itself is simultaneous; both creatures deal damage equal to their power to each other at the exact same time.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, the spell checks if both targets are still legal as it begins to resolve. If one target has become illegal (for example, by gaining hexproof or leaving the battlefield), the remaining creature will not deal or receive any damage, but you will still create a Treasure token. If both targets are illegal, the entire spell is countered and you get no Treasure. If both are legal, they deal damage to each other, and then you create your Treasure token.

Common Pitfalls

Players often forget that fighting is not combat. Abilities like first strike or double strike do not apply during a fight. However, keywords like deathtouch, lifelink, and wither do function normally. Additionally, remember that if your creature is destroyed by the damage it takes during the fight, it still deals its damage to the opponent's creature simultaneously before dying.

Strategic Timing

Because Prizefight is an instant, you can use it to disrupt your opponent's plans during their turn or in response to their spells. The Treasure token enters the battlefield untapped, meaning you can immediately sacrifice it for mana to cast another spell, such as a protection spell for the creature that just fought.

Interaction examples

Surviving the Brawl

Heroic Intervention

If your opponent tries to kill your creature in response to Prizefight, or if you are worried your creature will die from the fight damage, you can cast Heroic Intervention first. Your creature gains indestructible, allowing it to deal damage to the enemy creature and survive the retaliation, all while you still gain your Treasure token.

Generating a Target

Beast Within

If your opponent has no creatures for you to target with Prizefight, you can use Beast Within to destroy one of their non-creature permanents. This gives them a 3/3 Beast token, which you can then target with Prizefight to trigger the fight and get your Treasure.

Resource Management

Treasure

You cast Prizefight targeting your 4/4 and an opponent's 2/2. Both deal damage; the 2/2 dies, and your 4/4 survives with 2 damage marked on it. You then create a Treasure token. You can immediately tap and sacrifice that Treasure to add one mana of any color to your pool, effectively making Prizefight cost only one mana.