The Wasp, Janet Van DyneHow it works & interactions with other cards

Shrinking the Competition

The Wasp, Janet Van Dyne features a powerful enters-the-battlefield triggered ability. When she arrives on the battlefield, she deals 4 damage to a target creature. However, this ability is restricted: the target must be both controlled by an opponent and currently tapped. If there are no tapped creatures controlled by opponents, the ability is removed from the stack with no effect.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, The Wasp enters the battlefield, which triggers her ability. Second, you choose a legal target—an opponent's tapped creature. Third, players have a chance to respond with spells or abilities. Finally, as the ability resolves, it checks if the target is still legal; if the creature was untapped in response or left the battlefield, the ability fails. If the target is still a tapped creature an opponent controls, it is dealt 4 damage.

Strategic Timing

Since her ability requires a tapped creature, The Wasp is most effective during your post-combat main phase or during an opponent's turn if she is cast with Flash. She excels at cleaning up creatures that just attacked or those that use activated abilities requiring them to tap. Remember that 4 damage is enough to eliminate most utility creatures and mid-sized threats.

Common Mistakes

A common error is attempting to target a creature that was just declared as a blocker; unless that creature was already tapped, it remains untapped while blocking and cannot be targeted. Additionally, if the targeted creature is untapped by an effect like a spell or ability before The Wasp's trigger resolves, the damage will not be dealt because the target is no longer legal.

Interaction examples

Punishing the Automaton

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent attacks with Solemn Simulacrum, it becomes tapped. On your next turn, you cast The Wasp, Janet Van Dyne. When she enters, you target the tapped Solemn Simulacrum. The ability resolves, dealing 4 damage, which is enough to destroy the 2/2 Golem.

Double Sting with the Throne

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human' or 'Hero', The Wasp, Janet Van Dyne enters the battlefield. The Throne causes her ability to trigger twice. You can target the same tapped creature twice to deal a total of 8 damage, or target two different tapped creatures controlled by your opponents to deal 4 damage to each.