Propaganda is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Creatures can't attack you unless their controller paysfor each creature they control that's attacking you.
Complete guide
Propaganda is a classic blue enchantment that turns your opponent's combat phase into an expensive logistical nightmare. By forcing opponents to pay for every creature they send your way, it effectively taxes aggressive strategies out of the game.
A Tax on Aggression
Propaganda creates a static requirement that applies during the Declare Attackers step. It does not target anyone and it is not an activated or triggered ability; rather, it sets a rule that must be followed for an attack against you to be legal. If a player cannot or chooses not to pay the {2} mana per creature, those creatures simply cannot be declared as attackers against you.
How the Payment Works
The payment happens exactly when attackers are declared. The active player decides which creatures are attacking, and if any are directed at you, they must immediately pay {2} for each. If they control multiple creatures and only want to pay for one, only that one can attack you. Note that this tax specifically protects you, the player—it does not automatically protect planeswalkers you control or battles you are defending unless another effect says so.
Common Mistakes and Nuances
A frequent misconception is that Propaganda prevents creatures from attacking entirely. Creatures are still free to attack your planeswalkers or other players in a multiplayer game without paying the tax. Additionally, if multiple copies of Propaganda are on the battlefield, the effects are cumulative. Two copies would require a payment of {4} per creature. In Two-Headed Giant, even though you share a life total, the tax is still only {2} per creature to attack the team.
Strategic Timing
Propaganda is best deployed early against decks that rely on swarming the board with small creatures. Because it is an enchantment, it persists across turns, forcing opponents to decide every single combat whether they want to develop their board or spend their mana just to deal damage to you.
Interaction examples
Bident of ThassaIf you activate Bident of Thassa, your opponents' creatures must attack if able. However, requirements to attack do not force a player to pay mana. If your opponent has no mana available or chooses not to pay the {2} for Propaganda, their creatures are not 'able' to attack you and may instead be forced to attack a planeswalker or another player.
Rhystic StudyWith both enchantments out, your opponent is stuck in a 'mana squeeze.' If they spend their mana to pay the {2} for Propaganda to attack you, they likely won't have the {1} remaining to pay for Rhystic Study when they try to cast spells in their second main phase, allowing you to draw cards for every spell they play.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Propaganda
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Unless some effect explicitly says otherwise, a creature that can't attack you can still attack a planeswalker you control.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
In the Two-Headed Giant format, you still only have to pay once per creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If there are multiple attacks in a turn, then you have to pay for each attack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If there is more than one Propaganda on the battlefield, the cost is cumulative.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
The payment is made during the declare attackers step at the same time you are declaring the attacker.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Paying this cost is not an instant or any other kind of ability, it is an additional cost on the declaration of the attacker.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Propaganda
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.