Waxing MoonHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Waxing Moon has two primary effects: it allows you to transform up to one target Werewolf you control and gives all your creatures trample until the end of the turn. Because it says "up to one," you have the flexibility to cast it just for the trample effect even if you do not control a Werewolf or do not wish to transform one.

How It Resolves

First, you choose your target Werewolf during the casting process. If you chose a target, Waxing Moon attempts to transform that creature upon resolution. It is important to note that if a Werewolf is already in its transformed state, the effect will simply transform it back to its front face. Finally, all creatures you control at the time the spell resolves gain trample, regardless of whether a creature was actually transformed.

Common Mistakes

A critical detail involves the targeting rules. If you choose a target Werewolf and that target becomes illegal before resolution (for example, if it is destroyed or leaves the battlefield), the entire spell fails to resolve. In this scenario, your other creatures will not gain trample. If you prioritize the trample effect and fear your opponent has removal, casting the spell with zero targets is a safer play.

When to Play It

This card is best used during the declare blockers step of combat. By transforming a Werewolf into its usually larger, more aggressive form after blockers have been declared, and then granting your entire team trample, you can significantly increase the amount of lethal damage that reaches your opponent.

Interaction examples

Navigating Removal

Beast Within

If you cast Waxing Moon targeting a Werewolf and your opponent responds by casting Beast Within to destroy that Werewolf, Waxing Moon will be removed from the stack with no effect. Your other creatures will not gain trample because the spell's only target is now missing.

Ensuring the Trample

Heroic Intervention

To ensure your creatures survive long enough to use the trample granted by Waxing Moon, you can cast Heroic Intervention first. Once your creatures have hexproof, your opponent cannot target your Werewolf to fizzle Waxing Moon, ensuring the transformation and the trample effect both successfully resolve.