Xenagos's Strike is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Xenagos's Strike deals 4 damage to each player.
Complete guide
Xenagos's Strike is a straightforward sorcery designed to accelerate the game by putting pressure on every player's life total simultaneously. It embodies the chaotic nature of the god of revels by dealing a fixed amount of damage to everyone at the table, including yourself.
What It Does
Xenagos's Strike is a sorcery that deals 4 damage to each player. It does not target, meaning it cannot be prevented by effects like hexproof or ward, and it will affect every participant in the game regardless of team or position.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, the spell is cast and put onto the stack. When it resolves, it checks all players currently in the game. It then simultaneously deals 4 damage to each of them. Since the damage is dealt to players, any abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger now.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting that 'each player' includes you, the caster. You must be able to survive the 4 damage to remain in the game. Additionally, because this spell does not target, you cannot choose to exclude specific players even if you are playing in a multiplayer format with allies.
When to Play It
This card is best used when you have a significant life lead or when you need to finish off multiple low-health opponents at once. It is also an effective way to trigger your own 'whenever you take damage' effects or to punish players who have spent too much life as a resource.
Interaction examples
Wandering Archaic // Explore the VastlandsIf you cast Xenagos's Strike while an opponent controls Wandering Archaic // Explore the Vastlands, the opponent's triggered ability goes on the stack. If your opponent chooses not to pay {2}, they may copy Xenagos's Strike. The copy resolves first, dealing 4 damage to each player. Then the original resolves, dealing another 4 damage to each player, for a total of 8 damage to everyone.
All Is DustYou can cast All Is Dust to force each player to sacrifice all colored permanents they control. Once the board is cleared of creatures that might provide life link or other defensive benefits, you can follow up on a later turn with Xenagos's Strike to ensure the damage to their life total sticks without them having easy ways to recover.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Xenagos's Strike
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
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Meta decks with Xenagos's Strike
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.