ReprisalHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Reprisal Does

Reprisal is a targeted removal spell that specifically looks for creatures with a power of 4 or greater. Unlike some other destruction effects, it carries the 'can't be regenerated' clause, which means abilities or spells that would normally save a creature from destruction will not work here. It is an instant, allowing you to react to your opponent's moves during their turn.

Resolution Step by Step

First, you cast Reprisal and choose a legal target: a creature with at least 4 power. Upon resolution, the game checks the target's power again; if the power is still 4 or greater, the creature is destroyed. If a player attempts to use a regeneration shield on the creature in response, the 'can't be regenerated' clause ensures the shield is ignored and the creature is put into the graveyard regardless.

Common Mistakes

The most common error is misjudging the power check. If an opponent uses a spell to reduce their creature's power below 4 in response to Reprisal, the target becomes illegal, and Reprisal will fail to resolve. Additionally, do not confuse destruction with exile; Reprisal sends the card to the graveyard, so it can still be a target for graveyard recursion later.

When to Play Reprisal

This card is best used as a defensive tool against mid-to-late game bombs. Since it only costs two mana, it allows you to maintain tempo by removing an expensive threat while still having mana available for your own plays. It is particularly effective against creatures that rely on regeneration keywords to survive combat or other board wipes.

Interaction examples

Taking Down a Giant

If your opponent attacks with a 4/4 creature, you can cast Reprisal during the declare attackers step. The creature meets the power requirement, and since it is destroyed and cannot be regenerated, it is removed from combat and placed in the graveyard immediately.

Efficiency Comparisons

Swords to PlowsharesPath to Exile

While Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile are more flexible because they can hit any creature, they also provide a benefit to the opponent (life or a land). Reprisal is narrower because it only hits large creatures, but it destroys them without giving your opponent a resource, making it a clean answer if your meta is full of high-power threats.

Confusion with Similar Names

Furious Reprisal

Be careful not to confuse Reprisal with Furious Reprisal. While Reprisal is a white instant that destroys a single large creature, Furious Reprisal is a red sorcery that deals 2 damage to two different targets. They serve very different roles in a deck's strategy.