Relentless Assault — ruling 1

Relentless Assault creates an additional combat and main phase only if it resolves during a main phase.

Relentless Assault — ruling 2

A creature that attacks each turn if able must attack only once that turn. It is not forced into each attack that turn. However, a creature that attacks each combat if able must attack again if it can.

Relentless Assault — ruling 3

If you manage to cast this during a main phase of your opponent's turn, that opponent's creatures will untap and that opponent will be able to attack again. It will not allow you to attack during their turn.

Relentless Assault — ruling 4

Abilities that trigger when a creature attacks, blocks, or is blocked will trigger during each combat that turn.

Relentless Assault : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Relentless Assault 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

Untap all creatures that attacked this turn. After this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase.

Complete guide

Relentless Assault is a classic red sorcery designed to push your board state to the limit by doubling down on aggression. By granting an extra combat phase and an additional main phase, it allows you to crush your opponents with multiple waves of attacks in a single turn. To get the benefit, you simply need to have successfully attacked during your first combat phase.

Unlocking Additional Combat

Relentless Assault functions by untapping every creature that participated in an attack during the current turn. Crucially, the spell must resolve during a main phase to create the extra combat and main phases. Once it resolves, the game state updates to include a new combat phase followed by a post-combat main phase, effectively extending your turn's sequence beyond the standard structure.

The Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must complete your initial combat phase by declaring attackers and dealing damage. During your second main phase, you cast Relentless Assault. As it resolves, the game checks which creatures attacked this turn and untaps them. Then, the spell schedules a brand new combat phase to occur immediately after the current main phase ends. Finally, it ensures another main phase follows that extra combat, giving you a chance to cast more spells before passing the turn.

Timing and Targeting Nuances

A common mistake is casting this spell outside of a main phase; if you cast it during combat via an effect that grants flash, you will not receive the extra phases. Note that abilities that trigger 'whenever a creature attacks' will trigger again during the new combat phase. If a creature is required to attack 'each combat if able,' it must participate in both the original and the extra combat generated by this spell.

Strategic Implementation

You should play Relentless Assault when your creatures have survived the first combat and you have an opening to deal lethal damage or trigger important 'on-attack' abilities again. Since it costs four mana, it is best utilized in decks that can generate high amounts of mana quickly to ensure you can still cast other spells or pay for creature abilities during your bonus main phase.

Interaction examples

Fuelling the War Machine

Mana Geyser

After attacking once, you cast Mana Geyser during your second main phase to generate a large amount of red mana based on your opponents' tapped lands. You then use that mana to cast Relentless Assault, untapping your army and securing a second combat phase while still having mana left over for the additional main phase that follows.

Digging for the Finisher

Jeska's Will

If you control your commander, cast Jeska's Will to gain both mana and card advantage. Use the generated red mana to cast Relentless Assault from your hand or from the cards exiled by Jeska's Will. This combo allows you to untap your creatures for a second strike while potentially finding more spells to cast in the extra main phase provided by the Assault.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Relentless Assault

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 19, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Relentless Assault creates an additional combat and main phase only if it resolves during a main phase.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2September 19, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
A creature that attacks each turn if able must attack only once that turn. It is not forced into each attack that turn. However, a creature that attacks each combat if able must attack again if it can.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3September 19, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If you manage to cast this during a main phase of your opponent's turn, that opponent's creatures will untap and that opponent will be able to attack again. It will not allow you to attack during their turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4September 19, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Abilities that trigger when a creature attacks, blocks, or is blocked will trigger during each combat that turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.