Walking DesecrationHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Walking Desecration allows you to pay one black mana and tap it to choose a creature type. Once the ability resolves, every creature currently on the battlefield that matches that chosen type must attack during the next available combat phase if they are legally able to do so. This effect applies to all creatures of that type, including your own and those controlled by any opponent.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When you activate the ability, you pay the cost and put it on the stack. Upon resolution, you choose a creature type (such as 'Golem' or 'Zombie'). The game then checks which creatures have that type. During the next declare attackers step, the controllers of those creatures must attempt to declare them as attackers. If a creature is tapped, affected by summoning sickness, or restricted by a 'tax' effect the controller chooses not to pay, that creature is not able to attack and the requirement is ignored.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to choose a non-existent creature type; you must choose an official Subtype from the Magic: The Gathering rules. Additionally, remember that this ability does not grant Haste. If you target a creature type that your opponent just played this turn, those creatures will still be unable to attack due to summoning sickness unless another effect allows them to.

When to Play It

The best time to activate Walking Desecration is during your opponent's pre-combat main phase. By forcing their utility creatures or small synergy pieces into combat, you can compel them to run into your larger blockers, effectively clearing their board of creatures they would rather keep safe behind the front lines.

Interaction examples

Forcing the Golem March

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent controls a Solemn Simulacrum and wants to keep it back to block, you can activate Walking Desecration and choose 'Golem'. Because Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem, it is now forced to attack during the opponent's turn. If it dies in combat, the opponent will get to draw a card, but they lose their valuable blocker.

Naming Overlapping Types

Roaming Throne

Suppose your opponent has a Roaming Throne and they chose 'Human' as it entered. Roaming Throne is now both a Golem and a Human. If you activate Walking Desecration and choose 'Golem', the Roaming Throne must attack. Even though it has multiple types, matching just one of them is enough for the effect to take hold.