Spawning BreathHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Spawning Breath requires a target for its damage effect to be cast. It deals 1 damage to any target (a player, planeswalker, or creature) and then creates a 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature token. This token can be sacrificed at any time you could activate an ability to add one colorless mana ({C}) to your mana pool.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you choose a legal target and pay the mana cost. If the target is still legal upon resolution, Spawning Breath deals 1 damage to it. Immediately after the damage is dealt, you place a 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn token onto the battlefield under your control. If the target becomes illegal before the spell resolves (for example, if it gains Hexproof or leaves the battlefield), the entire spell is removed from the stack and you do not receive the token.

Common Mistakes

The most frequent error is attempting to cast this spell without a target just to get the token; you must have a legal target to cast Spawning Breath. Additionally, remember that the token is a creature and is subject to summoning sickness for attacking or tapping, though its sacrifice ability can be used the moment it enters the battlefield.

When to Play It

This spell is best utilized during your opponent's end step to pick off a small creature like a mana dork or to simply generate a token for use on your following turn. It also serves as an effective combat trick to finish off a creature that has already taken damage during the blockers phase.

Interaction examples

Dealing with Small Threats

You cast Spawning Breath targeting an opponent's 1/1 creature. The creature is dealt 1 damage and dies due to state-based actions. You then create an Eldrazi Spawn token, which you can later sacrifice to help cast a more expensive spell.

Responding to Target Changes

Deflecting Swat

You cast Spawning Breath targeting your opponent. In response, your opponent casts Deflecting Swat to change the target of Spawning Breath to one of your 1/1 creatures. When Spawning Breath resolves, it deals 1 damage to your creature instead of the opponent, but you still receive the Eldrazi Spawn token.

Interacting with Permanent Removal

Chaos Warp

You cast Spawning Breath targeting a creature. Your opponent casts Chaos Warp in response, shuffling that creature into its owner's library. Because the target of Spawning Breath is no longer on the battlefield, Spawning Breath fails to resolve and is put into your graveyard; you do not get to create the Eldrazi Spawn token.