This week for the rules tips we will be looking at attacking and blocking requirements and restrictions, how they work and how they interact. Today, we are going to focus on attacking and blocking requirements.

When choosing an attacking of blocking creature sometimes there are effects that force you to attack or block where you don’t get a choice. These requirements sometimes use the word ‘must’, for example in the text of Irresistible Prey. Other cards use the phrase ‘if able’ and are written ‘All creatures able to block ~this~ do so,’ like in Prized Unicorn‘s text. Many attacking requirements are written ‘~This~ attacks each turn if able,’ as in the ability of Berserkers of Blood Ridge.

These are all static abilities that are applied when attacking or blocking creatures are chosen. They do not specify what they need to attack or block. For example, when forced to attack with a Kuldotha Ringleader you can attack any player (if this is a multiplayer game) or planeswalker controlled by an opponent.