Rules
Comprehensive Rules
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9 Sections147 chapters
Turn Structure15 chapters
508. Declare Attackers Step
508.1
First, the active player declares attackers
508.2
Second, the active player gets priority
508.3
Triggered abilities that trigger on attackers being declared may have different trigger conditions.
508.4
If a creature is put onto the battlefield attacking, its controller chooses which defending player, planeswalker a defending player controls, or battle a defending player protects it’s attacking as it enters the battlefield (unless the effect that put it onto the battlefield specifies what it’s attacking). Similarly, if an effect states that a creature is attacking, its controller chooses which defending player, planeswalker a defending player controls, or battle a defending player protects it’s attacking (unless the effect has already specified). Such creatures are “attacking” but, for the purposes of trigger events and effects, they never “attacked.” They remain attacking creatures until they’re removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first.
508.5
If an ability of an attacking creature refers to a defending player, or a spell or ability refers to both an attacking creature and a defending player, then unless otherwise specified, the defending player it’s referring to is the player that creature is attacking, the controller of the planeswalker that creature is attacking, or the protector of the battle that creature is attacking. If that creature is no longer attacking, the defending player it’s referring to is the player that creature was attacking before it was removed from combat, the controller of the planeswalker that creature was attacking before it was removed from combat, or the protector of the battle that creature was attacking before it was removed from combat.
508.6
A player is “attacking [a player]” if the first player controls a creature that is attacking the second player. A player has “attacked [a player]” if the first player declared one or more creatures as attackers attacking the second player.
508.7
Some cards allow a player to reselect which player, planeswalker, or battle a creature is attacking.
508.8
If no creatures are declared as attackers or put onto the battlefield attacking, skip the declare blockers and combat damage steps.