Will of the MarduHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing Your Path

When you cast Will of the Mardu, you must first check if you control a commander. This doesn't have to be your own commander; any creature with the commander trait under your control counts. If you do, you may choose both modes. If not, you choose one. Because this check happens during the announcement of the spell, opponents cannot respond by removing your commander to limit your choices once you begin the casting process.

Resolution Breakdown

The spell follows the order printed on the card. First, if the token mode was chosen, you count the number of creatures target player controls at that specific moment and create that many 1/1 red Warrior tokens. Second, if the damage mode was chosen, the spell counts the number of creatures you control—including any tokens just created by the first mode—and deals that much damage to the target creature.

Strategic Considerations

A common mistake is forgetting that the targets for both modes must be legal when you cast the spell. If you choose both modes, you need a target player for the tokens and a target creature for the damage. If one target becomes illegal before resolution (for example, if the target creature gains Hexproof), that specific part of the spell fails, but the other mode will still resolve if its target is still valid.

When to Strike

This spell is most effective when your opponent has a large board. Since the number of tokens you generate is tied to an opponent's creature count, you can use it to instantly build a superior army. It also functions as a surprise blocker or a way to turn your existing small creatures into a massive damage-dealing blow to an opponent's boss monster.

Interaction examples

The Doubling Effect

Will of the MarduWarrior

If you control your commander and an opponent controls four creatures, you can choose both modes. First, you create four 1/1 red Warrior tokens. If you started with three creatures (including your commander), you now control seven creatures. Will of the Mardu then deals 7 damage to the target creature.

Interrupted Resolution

Will of the MarduTeferi's Protection

If you target an opponent with the first mode of Will of the Mardu and they cast Teferi's Protection in response, their permanents phase out. When Will of the Mardu tries to resolve, it checks the target player's creature count. Since their creatures no longer exist on the battlefield, you will create zero Warrior tokens.

Losing the Target

Will of the MarduGenerous Gift

Suppose you choose both modes, targeting an opponent's dragon for the damage. If that opponent uses Generous Gift to destroy their own dragon in response, the damage mode of Will of the Mardu will have no legal target and will not deal damage. However, you will still create the Warrior tokens based on the number of creatures that player controls.