Stroke of Midnight — ruling 1

If the target permanent is an illegal target by the time Stroke of Midnight tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve. No player creates a Human token. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller does create a Human token.

Stroke of Midnight : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Stroke of Midnight is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Destroy target nonland permanent. Its controller creates a 1/1 white Human creature token.

Complete guide

Stroke of Midnight is a versatile white removal spell that can handle almost any threat on the board for just three mana. While it leaves your opponent with a small consolation prize, the trade-off is often worth it to eliminate a game-winning nonland permanent. This instant-speed answer is a spiritual successor to cards like Generous Gift, focusing on precision over raw power.

Precision Removal

Stroke of Midnight targets a single nonland permanent and destroys it. Because it specifies 'nonland,' you cannot use it to destroy basic lands, utility lands, or land creatures like those created by Nissa effects. If the target is successfully destroyed, its controller creates a 1/1 white Human creature token. This token is a standard vanilla creature with no abilities.

Resolution Steps

First, you cast the spell and choose a legal nonland permanent as the target. Upon resolution, the game checks if the target is still legal. If the target has gained hexproof or left the battlefield, Stroke of Midnight is removed from the stack and no token is created. If the target is legal, the spell attempts to destroy it. Even if the permanent is indestructible and survives, the second part of the spell still triggers, and the controller still receives their 1/1 Human token.

Strategic Timing

Since this spell is an instant, the best time to play it is often during your opponent's end step or in response to a specific threat being activated. However, remember that giving your opponent a 1/1 Human might provide them with a blocker or a body for a sacrifice effect. Unlike Generous Gift, which creates a 3/3, the 1/1 from Stroke of Midnight is much easier to ignore or sweep away with minor effects.

Interaction examples

Dealing with Indestructible Threats

If you target an indestructible artifact with Stroke of Midnight, the artifact will not be destroyed. However, because the target was legal when the spell resolved, the artifact's controller will still create a 1/1 white Human creature token.

The Token Comparison

Generous Gift

While Generous Gift can target any permanent (including lands) and gives the opponent a 3/3 Elephant, Stroke of Midnight is restricted to nonland permanents but only gives the opponent a 1/1 Human. This makes Stroke of Midnight safer to use against aggressive decks where a 3/3 body might be a significant threat.

Failed Resolution

Teferi's Protection

If you target an opponent's enchantment with Stroke of Midnight and they cast Teferi's Protection in response, their permanents phase out. When Stroke of Midnight tries to resolve, its target is gone. The spell is countered by the rules, and the opponent does not get a 1/1 Human token.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Stroke of Midnight

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the target permanent is an illegal target by the time Stroke of Midnight tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve. No player creates a Human token. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller does create a Human token.
Card named in this ruling
Human