Showstopper 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
Until end of turn, creatures you control gain "When this creature dies, it deals 2 damage to target creature an opponent controls."
Complete guide
Showstopper is a powerful Rakdos instant that turns your board into a minefield for your enemies. By granting your creatures a lethal parting gift, you can ensure that even in defeat, your forces take the opposition down with them. This guide explores how to maximize this explosive effect and navigate its specific timing requirements.
Explosive Departures
When Showstopper resolves, every creature you currently control gains a triggered ability that lasts until the end of the turn. If one of these creatures dies, the ability triggers, allowing it to deal 2 damage to a target creature controlled by an opponent. Because the ability is granted to the creatures themselves, the damage is dealt by the creature, not the spell, which can be relevant for abilities like lifelink or deathtouch.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, you cast Showstopper and it resolves, marking all creatures you control at that moment. Second, if a marked creature is put into the graveyard from the battlefield, its new triggered ability goes on the stack. Third, you choose a target creature an opponent controls. Finally, the ability resolves and deals 2 damage to that target. Note that if you lose control of a creature after Showstopper has resolved, that creature still retains the ability, but its new controller will choose the target when it dies.
Timing and Control
A common mistake is thinking Showstopper affects creatures that enter the battlefield later in the turn; it only applies to creatures you control at the exact moment the spell resolves. Additionally, remember that the target must be a creature controlled by an opponent of the person who controlled the creature when it died. If you steal a creature and it dies under your control, you still get to choose one of your opponents' creatures to damage.
When to Perform
The best time to cast Showstopper is usually right before a combat phase where you expect many trades, or in response to a board wipe. Since it is an instant, you can wait for your opponent to commit to a block or cast a removal spell before granting your team their final revenge.
Interaction examples
Deflecting SwatIf your creature dies and its Showstopper ability triggers, you must target a creature an opponent controls. However, an opponent could cast Deflecting Swat to change that target. They can choose any legal target for the ability, which in this case would be any creature controlled by one of your opponents (which could include one of your own creatures if you are in a multiplayer game).
Chaos WarpIf you cast Showstopper and then your opponent responds with Chaos Warp on one of your creatures, that creature will be shuffled away before Showstopper resolves. Because it wasn't on the battlefield when Showstopper resolved, it never gains the 'dies' trigger. Furthermore, if Chaos Warp reveals a new creature, that new creature also won't have the ability because it entered the battlefield after Showstopper finished resolving.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Showstopper
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Creatures that come under your control after Showstopper resolves won’t have the ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If another player gains control of a creature you control after Showstopper resolves, and then later that turn that creature dies, the creature’s controller when it died controls the triggered ability. That player chooses a creature that one of their opponents controls as a target.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Showstopper
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.