That's Rough Buddy 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
Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Put two +1/+1 counters on that creature instead if a creature left the battlefield under your control this turn. Draw a card.
Complete guide
That's Rough Buddy is a Lesson instant that provides a meaningful boost to your creatures while ensuring you don't lose card advantage. It shines brightest when your board state is in flux, turning a teammate's departure into a greater strength for those who remain. As a Lesson, it offers excellent utility both from your main deck or your sideboard.
What It Does
This spell allows you to place a +1/+1 counter on a target creature and then draw a card. However, it features a conditional replacement effect: if any creature you controlled left the battlefield earlier in the current turn, you place two +1/+1 counters instead of one. The creature leaving the battlefield could have been destroyed, exiled, returned to your hand, or even shuffled into your library.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, you cast the spell and choose a legal target creature. Upon resolution, the game checks if the condition was met: did a creature leave the battlefield under your control this turn? If yes, you place two +1/+1 counters on the target; if no, you place one. Finally, you draw a card. Note that the card draw happens regardless of whether the creature received one or two counters, provided the target was still legal as the spell began to resolve.
Common Mistakes
A common point of confusion is the timing of the creature leaving the battlefield. The creature must have already left the battlefield before That's Rough Buddy resolves for you to get the two counters. Also, remember that if the target creature is removed from the battlefield in response to this spell, the entire spell fails to resolve (fizzles), and you will not get to draw a card.
When to Play It
This card is best played as a combat trick or a recovery tool. In response to an opponent's removal spell, you can let your first creature leave, then cast this to buff a second creature with two counters and replace the card in your hand. It is also highly effective in decks that utilize 'flicker' effects or self-sacrifice themes to ensure the bonus is always active.
Interaction examples
Swords to PlowsharesIf your opponent casts Swords to Plowshares on your creature, you can let it resolve. After the creature is exiled, you cast That's Rough Buddy targeting another creature. Since a creature you controlled left the battlefield this turn, the second creature receives two +1/+1 counters, and you draw a card.
Path to ExileYou can cast Path to Exile on your own creature to find a basic land. Once that creature has left the battlefield and you have searched your library, you can cast That's Rough Buddy. The condition is met, allowing you to put two counters on a different target creature and draw a card, effectively rebuilding your board and hand simultaneously.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : That's Rough Buddy
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with That's Rough Buddy
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