Wojek EmbermageHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Radiance

The Radiance ability on Wojek Embermage is an activated ability that targets one specific creature. When the ability resolves, it identifies every other creature on the battlefield that shares at least one color with the chosen target. It then deals 1 damage to the target and 1 damage to each of those identified creatures, regardless of who controls them.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you activate the ability by tapping Wojek Embermage and choosing a target creature. Upon resolution, the game checks the color(s) of that target. It then scans all other creatures on the battlefield; if a creature is Red and the target is Red, it takes damage. This check applies to all colors the target possesses, meaning a multi-colored target will likely hit a wider range of creatures.

Colorless Interactions

A common point of confusion involves colorless creatures. Because 'colorless' is the absence of color rather than a color itself, a colorless creature does not share a color with any other creature—not even other colorless creatures. If you target a colorless creature with this ability, only that specific creature will be dealt damage.

Strategic Timing

Since the ability requires tapping, Wojek Embermage is best used during your opponent's end step or after attackers have been declared. It is particularly effective against tokens, which often share the same color, allowing you to wipe out an entire army for the cost of a single tap.

Interaction examples

Targeting Artifact Creatures

Solemn Simulacrum

If you activate Wojek Embermage targeting Solemn Simulacrum, the ability checks for shared colors. Since Solemn Simulacrum is colorless, it does not share a color with any other creature on the battlefield. In this scenario, 1 damage is dealt only to Solemn Simulacrum, and no other creatures are affected by the Radiance effect.

Dealing with Colorless Golems

Roaming Throne

If your opponent controls Roaming Throne (which is colorless) and several other artifact creatures, using Wojek Embermage on the Throne will be inefficient. Because Roaming Throne has no colors, the Radiance check fails to find a match with any other creature. Only the Roaming Throne will take 1 damage.

The Self-Ping Scenario

If you target a Red creature controlled by an opponent, Wojek Embermage will check for other Red creatures. Since Wojek Embermage is Red, it shares a color with the target. Consequently, Wojek Embermage will deal 1 damage to the target and 1 damage to itself.