Savage Beating — ruling 1

The additional combat phase is directly after the combat phase in which Savage Beating is cast. There isn't a main phase between the two combat phases.

Savage Beating : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Savage Beating 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

Cast this spell only during combat on your turn. Choose one — • Creatures you control gain double strike until end of turn. • Untap all creatures you control. After this phase, there is an additional combat phase. Entwine (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)

Complete guide

Savage Beating is a high-impact red instant that can end a game in a single turn. By providing either double strike or an entirely new combat phase, it forces your opponents into a precarious defensive position. If you have the mana to spare, paying its entwine cost combines these effects for a truly devastating assault.

What it Does

Savage Beating offers two powerful combat modes. The first mode grants all creatures you control double strike until the end of the turn, allowing them to deal both first-strike and regular combat damage. The second mode untaps your creatures and creates an additional combat phase immediately following the current one. Because it has Entwine, you can pay an extra {1}{R} to get both effects at once.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must cast this spell during your own combat phase; it cannot be cast during an opponent's turn or during a main phase. Upon resolution, if you chose the first mode, your creatures gain the double strike keyword. If you chose the second, all your creatures untap and the game prepares for an extra combat phase. This additional combat occurs immediately after the current one, meaning there is no main phase in between the two combat sessions.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to cast Savage Beating after combat has already concluded; the spell explicitly states it must be cast during combat on your turn. Another misunderstanding involves the timing of the extra phase. Since there is no main phase between the two combats, you do not have a chance to cast sorcery-speed spells or creatures without flash to participate in the second attack. Finally, remember that double strike lasts until the end of the turn, so it will still be active during the second combat phase if you entwined the spell.

When to Play It

The most effective time to cast Savage Beating is during the Declare Attackers step after you have already declared your creatures as attackers. This ensures your creatures are already moving toward the opponent before you untap them or grant them double strike. Casting it too early, such as in the Beginning of Combat step, might give your opponent more information to make optimal blocks.

Interaction examples

The Double Strike Swing

You attack with a 4/4 creature. Before blockers are declared, you cast Savage Beating choosing the first mode. Your creature now has double strike. If unblocked, it deals 4 damage during the first-strike combat damage step and another 4 damage during the regular combat damage step for a total of 8 damage.

The Entwine Finisher

You attack with three 2/2 creatures. You pay {4}{R}{R}{R} to cast Savage Beating with Entwine. Your creatures gain double strike and untap. After this combat, you immediately start a second combat phase. Because double strike lasts until end of turn, your untapped creatures will have double strike during the second attack as well, potentially dealing four times their power in total damage across the two phases.

Untapping for Defense

If your attack didn't finish the opponent, using the second mode of Savage Beating untaps your creatures. Even if you choose not to attack during the additional combat phase, your creatures remain untapped and ready to block during your opponent's upcoming turn.

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

How it works : Savage Beating

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1December 1, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
The additional combat phase is directly after the combat phase in which Savage Beating is cast. There isn't a main phase between the two combat phases.
No other card is named in this ruling.