Tyrant's Choice 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
Will of the council — Starting with you, each player votes for death or torture. If death gets more votes, each opponent sacrifices a creature of their choice. If torture gets more votes or the vote is tied, each opponent loses 4 life.
Complete guide
Tyrant's Choice is a versatile sorcery from the Conspiracy set that forces the table into a political dilemma. It utilizes the Will of the council mechanic to either thin out your opponents' battlefields or drain their life totals based on a group vote.
What It Does
When you cast Tyrant's Choice, every player participates in a vote for either 'death' or 'torture.' Depending on the majority vote, your opponents either sacrifice a creature or lose 4 life. Crucially, as the caster, you vote first, and if the vote ends in a tie, the 'torture' option (life loss) is the default outcome.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, the spell is cast and put onto the stack. Players may respond with spells or abilities before the vote occurs. Once resolution begins, no player can take actions between the voting process and the effect happening. Starting with you and proceeding in turn order, each player announces their choice. If 'death' has more votes, each opponent chooses one creature they control and sacrifices it. If 'torture' wins or the vote is tied, every opponent loses 4 life.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that the sacrifice effect targets creatures; it does not. Opponents choose which creature to sacrifice only as the spell resolves, meaning they can sacrifice creatures with Hexproof or Protection from Black. Another mistake is trying to wait to see the votes before responding with other cards. You must respond to Tyrant's Choice while it is on the stack, before any votes are cast.
When to Play It
In a 1v1 game, Tyrant's Choice is extremely potent because you hold 50% of the vote. If you vote 'torture,' your opponent must also vote 'death' to force a tie, which still results in them losing 4 life. In multiplayer, it serves as a great tool to finish off players with low life or to clear away problematic creatures when the table agrees on a threat.
Interaction examples
In a two-player game, you cast Tyrant's Choice and vote 'torture.' Your opponent votes 'death.' Because the vote is tied 1-1, the 'torture' effect occurs, and your opponent loses 4 life.
Demonic TutorYou use Demonic Tutor to find Tyrant's Choice when your opponent has only one powerful creature. When you cast Tyrant's Choice, if you and another player in a pod vote 'death,' and only one person votes 'torture,' 'death' wins. Every opponent must then sacrifice a creature.
ReanimateYou cast Tyrant's Choice and the table votes for 'death.' Your opponent sacrifices their best creature. On your next turn, you can cast Reanimate targeting that creature in their graveyard to bring it onto the battlefield under your control at the cost of some life.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Tyrant's Choice
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If death gets more votes, each opponent chooses and sacrifices a creature they control. None of these creatures are targeted. An opponent could sacrifice a creature with protection from black, for example.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Because the votes are cast in turn order, each player will know the votes of players who voted beforehand.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
You must vote for one of the available options. You can't abstain.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Players can't do anything after they finish voting but before the spell or ability that included the vote finishes resolving.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
The phrase "the vote is tied" refers only to when there is more than one choice that received the most votes. For example, if a 5-player vote from among three different choices ends 3 votes to 1 vote to 1 vote, the vote isn't tied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Tyrant's Choice
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