Sleep with the FishesHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

This Aura serves as a permanent lockdown for a creature on the battlefield. When you cast it, you choose a target creature to enchant. Once it resolves and enters the battlefield, it immediately taps that creature and gifts you a 1/1 blue Fish creature token that cannot be blocked. As long as the Aura remains attached, the enchanted creature is prevented from untapping during its controller's untap step.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast the spell by paying its mana cost and choosing a target creature. If the target is still legal when the spell resolves, Sleep with the Fishes enters the battlefield attached to that creature. This causes its triggered ability to go on the stack. When that trigger resolves, you tap the enchanted creature and create your 1/1 Fish token. The static ability then continuously prevents the creature from untapping in future turns.

Common Mistakes

The most important thing to remember is that the token creation is part of a triggered ability that occurs only if the Aura successfully enters the battlefield. If your opponent removes the target creature in response to you casting the spell, the entire spell fails to resolve and goes to the graveyard. In this scenario, you do not get to create the Fish token or tap anything.

Strategic Timing

Because this card taps the creature upon entering, it is best used on an opponent's untapped threat to prevent it from blocking your current attackers. The 1/1 Fish token is particularly effective in stalled boards, as it can chip away at an opponent's life total regardless of how many blockers they have standing.

Interaction examples

Securing the Fish

Fish

When Sleep with the Fishes enters the battlefield, you create a 1/1 blue Fish token. This token has a built-in evasion ability: it can't be blocked. This means that even if your opponent has a wall of blockers, your Fish can safely attack their life total or a planeswalker every turn.

Navigating Taxing Effects

Rhystic Study

When you cast Sleep with the Fishes, your opponent's Rhystic Study will trigger. You must decide whether to pay the extra {1} before the Aura resolves. If you don't pay and they draw a card, and the Aura then resolves, you will still get your Fish token and tap their creature as planned.

Aggressive Fish Tactics

Propaganda

While your opponent's creature is locked down by Sleep with the Fishes, you may want to attack with your new Fish token. If your opponent has Propaganda on the field, you must still pay {2} to attack them with the Fish, despite the Fish having the 'can't be blocked' ability. Evasion abilities do not bypass entry costs for attacking.