Smaug's FuryHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Smaug's Fury Does

Smaug's Fury is an instant that targets a single creature. It provides a significant +3/+0 power boost and grants two key keyword abilities: reach and first strike. These effects last until the end of the turn, making it an ideal tool for both aggressive attacks and surprise defensive maneuvers.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you cast Smaug's Fury, you first choose a target creature and pay the mana cost. Upon resolution, the spell checks if the target is still legal. If it is, the creature gains the power bonus and keywords immediately. The first strike ability allows it to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike, while reach enables it to block creatures with flying.

Common Mistakes and Timing

A common error is waiting too long to cast the spell during the combat phase. To utilize the first strike benefit, you must cast Smaug's Fury before the game moves to the 'first strike combat damage' step. Once regular combat damage has occurred, the first strike keyword won't change the outcome of that specific combat. Additionally, remember that if the target creature leaves the battlefield or becomes illegal before resolution, the entire spell fails.

When to Play Smaug's Fury

This spell is best used as a combat trick when your opponent believes they have a safe block or an unblockable flying attacker. It can also be used offensively to push through the final few points of damage needed to win a game, especially if your creature has trample or is unblocked.

Interaction examples

Defensive Aerial Maneuver

Your opponent attacks with a creature that has flying. You cast Smaug's Fury on your ground-based creature. During the declare blockers step, your creature now has reach and can be declared as a blocker against the flying threat, likely destroying it thanks to the +3 power and first strike.

Redirecting the Dragon's Breath

Deflecting Swat

You cast Smaug's Fury targeting your creature. In response, an opponent casts Deflecting Swat. They choose to change the target of Smaug's Fury to one of their own creatures. Since the spell hasn't resolved yet, the new target will receive the +3/+0, reach, and first strike when the stack clears.

Interaction with Removal

Chaos Warp

You target your creature with Smaug's Fury. An opponent responds by casting Chaos Warp on that same creature. Chaos Warp resolves first, shuffling your creature into your library. When Smaug's Fury attempts to resolve, it no longer has a legal target and is removed from the stack with no effect.