Victimize — ruling 1

You must choose two targets. You can't cast Victimize targeting only one creature card.

Victimize — ruling 2

If one of the targeted creature cards is an illegal target (for instance, because it has left your graveyard before Victimize resolves), you'll still sacrifice a creature and put the other card onto the battlefield. If both are illegal targets, Victimize won't resolve. You won't sacrifice a creature.

Victimize — ruling 3

The creature you sacrifice isn't chosen until Victimize resolves. You can't return the creature you sacrifice because it will still be on the battlefield at the time targets are chosen.

Victimize — ruling 4

As Victimize resolves, you must sacrifice a creature if able. You can't change your mind and choose not to sacrifice anything.

Victimize : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Victimize 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

Choose two target creature cards in your graveyard. Sacrifice a creature. If you do, return the chosen cards to the battlefield tapped.

Complete guide

Victimize is a powerful black sorcery that offers a two-for-one trade-off for your graveyard strategies. By sacrificing a single creature currently on your battlefield, you can pull two others back from the dead to turn the tide of battle. It is a staple for decks that want to swap utility creatures for massive threats.

Understanding the Sacrifice

Unlike many spells, the sacrifice for Victimize is not an additional cost to cast it. Instead, you sacrifice the creature as part of the spell's resolution. This means you must have two valid targets in your graveyard to even cast the spell, and you only choose which creature to lose once the spell actually starts resolving. If you have no creatures on the battlefield when it resolves, you simply won't sacrifice anything, but you also won't get your creatures back.

Targeting and Resolution

When you cast Victimize, you must choose exactly two target creature cards in your graveyard. You cannot choose just one. If one of those targets becomes illegal before the spell finishes (for example, if an opponent exiles one in response), you still sacrifice a creature and return the remaining legal target. If both targets become illegal, the spell fails entirely, and you do not sacrifice a creature.

Strategic Timing

Because the creatures return to the battlefield tapped, Victimize is generally a proactive play during your main phase rather than a defensive one. It is best used to trigger 'Enters the Battlefield' effects or to set up your board for the following turn. Since you can't sacrifice the same creature you are trying to bring back, you need to manage your board state carefully to ensure you have 'fodder' available.

Interaction examples

Setting up the Graveyard

Demonic Tutor

You use Demonic Tutor to find a high-impact creature or a way to put creatures into your graveyard. Once you have two targets in your graveyard and at least one creature on the battlefield, you cast Victimize. As it resolves, you sacrifice your small creature, and the two targets return to the battlefield tapped.

Surviving the Deluge

Toxic Deluge

If you cast Toxic Deluge and clear the board, you might find yourself with no creatures to sacrifice for Victimize. If you cast Victimize while the board is empty, the spell will resolve, but since you cannot fulfill the 'Sacrifice a creature' instruction, the 'If you do' clause never triggers, and your targets remain in the graveyard.

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

How it works : Victimize

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
You must choose two targets. You can't cast Victimize targeting only one creature card.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If one of the targeted creature cards is an illegal target (for instance, because it has left your graveyard before Victimize resolves), you'll still sacrifice a creature and put the other card onto the battlefield. If both are illegal targets, Victimize won't resolve. You won't sacrifice a creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The creature you sacrifice isn't chosen until Victimize resolves. You can't return the creature you sacrifice because it will still be on the battlefield at the time targets are chosen.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
As Victimize resolves, you must sacrifice a creature if able. You can't change your mind and choose not to sacrifice anything.
No other card is named in this ruling.