Song of TotentanzHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Swarm of Rats

When you cast Song of Totentanz, you choose a value for X. The spell creates that many 1/1 black Rat creature tokens. These specific tokens have an inherent drawback: they cannot block. This makes them purely offensive tools designed to chip away at your opponent's life total or provide fodder for sacrifice effects.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you pay the mana cost of {X}{R}. As the spell resolves, the game checks the value chosen for X and places that many Rat tokens onto the battlefield. Immediately after the tokens enter, the second part of the spell applies: every creature you control at that exact moment gains haste until the end of the turn. This includes the brand-new Rat tokens and any other creatures that were already on your battlefield.

Timing and Haste Application

A common mistake is thinking the haste effect lasts for the whole turn for any new creatures. However, based on official rulings, only creatures you control at the moment the spell finishes resolving gain haste. If you play another creature later in the turn, such as through a flash ability or another spell, that new creature will not have haste. Additionally, because the tokens cannot block, you should focus on using them for an all-out attack during your combat phase.

Strategic Utilization

Song of Totentanz is best played during your pre-combat main phase to maximize the haste benefit. It is an excellent mana sink in the late game, turning a large amount of mana into a lethal army. Even if X is zero, you can still cast it for just one red mana to give your existing non-token creatures haste for a surprise attack.

Interaction examples

Basic Token Generation

Song of TotentanzRat

You cast Song of Totentanz with X=3, paying {3}{R}. Upon resolution, three 1/1 black Rat tokens are created. The spell then grants those three Rats haste, allowing them to attack immediately, though they will never be able to block if the game lasts until your opponent's turn.

The Haste Surge

Song of TotentanzFaithless Looting

Suppose you cast Faithless Looting earlier in the turn to find more lands. You then cast Song of Totentanz for X=1. You get one Rat token, and both that Rat and any other creatures you already had on the field gain haste. If you were to cast another spell to create creatures after this, those new creatures would not benefit from the haste effect of the Song.

Clearing the Path

Song of TotentanzVandalblast

If your opponent has an artifact creature like a Juggernaut blocking your way, you can cast Vandalblast to destroy it first. Following up with Song of Totentanz for a high X value ensures your new Rat tokens can charge in for damage without being blocked by that specific threat.