Wrath of Marit LageHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Wrath of Marit Lage has two distinct effects. First, it has a triggered ability that taps all red creatures currently on the battlefield the moment the enchantment enters. Second, it creates a continuous effect that prevents any red creatures from untapping during their controllers' untap steps, regardless of whether they were on the battlefield when the enchantment was first played.

How It Resolves

When you cast Wrath of Marit Lage, it first enters the battlefield. This triggers its first ability. Once that ability resolves, every creature that is red is tapped. Following this, the static ability immediately begins to apply. During every subsequent untap step, the game checks if a creature is red; if it is, it simply stays tapped, effectively removing it from the flow of combat.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that this card only affects creatures that were present when it entered. In reality, the second ability affects all red creatures, including those played after Wrath of Marit Lage is already on the battlefield. If a player casts a new red creature and uses it to attack or tap for an ability, that creature will not untap during its controller's next untap step.

When to Play It

This card is a silver bullet against Mono-Red or aggressive multi-color decks. It is best deployed when your opponent has established a board presence of red creatures, as the entering trigger will immediately neutralize their ability to block or attack on the following turn.

Interaction examples

Locking Down the Board

You cast Wrath of Marit Lage while your opponent controls three 2/2 red Goblin tokens. Upon entry, the trigger taps all three tokens. On your opponent's next turn, the static ability prevents those tokens from untapping, leaving your opponent defenseless.

Synergizing with Forced Attacks

Bident of Thassa

If your opponent plays a new red creature after Wrath of Marit Lage is out, it won't be tapped yet. You can activate Bident of Thassa to force that creature to attack. Once it taps to attack, Wrath of Marit Lage's static ability will prevent it from ever untapping during the untap step again.

Type-Specific Card Draw

Kindred Discovery

While Kindred Discovery is on the battlefield with 'Avatar' chosen, casting Wrath of Marit Lage provides the control you need to survive. Since Wrath of Marit Lage is not a creature, it won't trigger Kindred Discovery, but it buys you the necessary time to safely play your creatures and draw cards without fear of a red creature counter-attack.