Spidery GraspHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

For three mana, Spidery Grasp provides three distinct benefits to a single target creature: it untaps the creature, grants it a +2/+4 power and toughness bonus, and gives it the reach keyword. These effects last until the end of the current turn, making it a premier combat trick for surprise blocks.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When you cast Spidery Grasp, you must choose a target creature. Upon resolution, the game first checks if the target is still legal; if it is, the creature untaps immediately. Even if the creature was already untapped, the spell continues to resolve, applying the +2/+4 stat increase and granting reach for the remainder of the turn.

Common Mistakes

A frequent misconception is that you can only target a tapped creature. According to official rulings, you can target an untapped creature just to benefit from the stat boost and reach. However, remember that if the creature is removed from the battlefield in response to the spell (for example, by a destruction effect), Spidery Grasp will fail to resolve and none of its effects will occur.

When to Play It

The best time to use Spidery Grasp is during the Declare Attackers step after your opponent has committed their creatures to combat. By untapping a creature that just attacked or was tapped for an ability, you create a surprise blocker that can now survive high-damage exchanges or intercept flying threats.

Interaction examples

Surviving a Transformation

Beast Within

If an opponent targets your creature with Beast Within to destroy it, you can respond with Spidery Grasp to buff your creature. While Spidery Grasp won't save it from being destroyed by Beast Within, if you use these cards on different turns, a 3/3 Beast token created by Beast Within can be targeted by Spidery Grasp later to become a 5/7 blocker with reach, capable of taking down much larger flyers.

The Ultimate Defensive Shield

Heroic Intervention

Imagine your opponent attacks with a massive flying dragon. You cast Spidery Grasp to untap your creature and give it reach. If the opponent tries to use a removal spell to stop your block, you can cast Heroic Intervention in response. Your creature will now have +2/+4, reach, hexproof, and indestructible, allowing it to safely block and destroy the attacker without dying.