Single CombatHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing the Combatants

When Single Combat resolves, each player must choose exactly one creature or planeswalker they control. The active player (whose turn it is) makes their choice first, followed by each other player in turn order. This allows you to see what your opponents choose before you have to commit to your own selection. Once all choices are made, every creature and planeswalker not chosen is sacrificed simultaneously.

The Silence of the Battlefield

The second part of the spell creates a continuous effect that prohibits all players from casting creature or planeswalker spells. This lockdown lasts from the moment the spell resolves until the end of your next turn. Note that this only prevents 'casting'; creatures can still enter the battlefield through other means, such as being put directly into play by an ability or a spell that is already on the stack.

Sacrifice vs. Destruction

A common mistake is treating Single Combat as a 'destroy' effect. Because it uses the keyword 'sacrifice,' creatures with Indestructible or Shields will still be put into the graveyard. Additionally, since players choose which permanents stay, you cannot target a specific threat to remove it; the controller of that threat decides if it is the one that remains.

When to Cast

Single Combat is best used when you have one powerful threat that can outmatch anything your opponent chooses to keep. Because it prevents players from casting new creature spells, it buys you a full turn cycle to attack your opponent while they are unable to rebuild their defenses.

Interaction examples

Choosing Your Best Warrior

You control three 2/2 tokens and a 5/5 Dragon. Your opponent controls two planeswalkers. You cast Single Combat. You choose your Dragon, and your opponent chooses one of their planeswalkers. You sacrifice your three tokens, and your opponent sacrifices their unchosen planeswalker. Neither of you can cast creature or planeswalker spells until your next turn ends.

Single Combat vs. Mass Removal

Austere Command

If your opponent has a mix of artifacts and small creatures, Austere Command might be better to wipe their utility pieces. However, if they have a creature with Indestructible, Austere Command's 'destroy' modes will fail. In this case, Single Combat is superior because it forces the opponent to sacrifice their permanents, bypassing Indestructible entirely.

Bypassing the Graveyard

Farewell

While Single Combat forces sacrifices and stops new spells, Farewell can exile all creatures and graveyards entirely. If you need to stop your opponent from casting spells for a turn, Single Combat is the choice. If your opponent has 'dies' triggers they want to activate, Farewell is better because it exiles, whereas Single Combat's sacrifice will trigger those abilities.