Shower of ArrowsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Shower of Arrows allows you to choose one target from three specific categories: an artifact, an enchantment, or a creature with flying. Once the spell resolves, the chosen target is destroyed and put into its owner's graveyard. Finally, you get to Scry 1, which means you look at the top card of your library and choose to either keep it there or put it on the bottom.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast the spell and choose a legal target. If the target is a creature, it must have the flying keyword at the time of targeting. Second, as the spell resolves, the game checks if the target is still legal. If the target has been moved, gained hexproof, or lost the flying attribute (if it was a creature), the spell fails to resolve and you do not get to Scry. If the target is legal, it is destroyed, and then you perform the Scry 1 action.

Common Mistakes

A common error is attempting to Scry even if the target is removed before the spell finishes. Because the Scry instruction follows the targeting instruction, the entire spell is removed from the stack if the target becomes illegal. Another mistake is trying to target a creature without flying; unlike more flexible spells, Shower of Arrows is strictly limited to flyers, artifacts, and enchantments.

When to Play It

This card is best used as a reactive tool during your opponent's turn. Since it is an instant, you can wait for an opponent to declare attackers or attempt to activate an artifact's ability before destroying it. It serves as an excellent sideboard option against decks relying on powerful enchantments or evasive flying threats.

Interaction examples

Responding to Protection

Heroic Intervention

If you cast Shower of Arrows targeting an opponent's artifact and they respond with Heroic Intervention, their permanents gain indestructible. When Shower of Arrows tries to resolve, the target is still legal but cannot be destroyed. The artifact remains on the battlefield, but because the target was still legal, you still get to Scry 1.

Versatility Comparison

Beast Within

While Beast Within can destroy any permanent (including lands) at the cost of giving the opponent a 3/3 Beast, Shower of Arrows is more specialized. If your opponent has a flyer and you use Shower of Arrows, you remove the threat and improve your deck consistency with Scry, whereas Beast Within would leave them with a new creature token.