In keeping with the theme of the week, today we are going to look at the keyword ability Provoke. Provoke appeared in Legions, the all creature set from Onslaught block. It is a triggered ability that can force a targeted creature to block it, even one that is tapped when combat begins.

The ability triggers when the creature with provoke attacks. When this ability goes on the stack a target creature controlled by the defending player must be chosen, if there is one available. If the defending player does not control any creatures or none are legal targets due to a protection ability, shroud or hexproof then the ability will leave the stack and do nothing. When this trigger resolves, the controller of the trigger can choose wether or not the targeted creature must block this turn if able. If this person chooses to force this block, then the targeted creature is untapped.

There are two quick things to reiterate and point out. You can target a creature that cannot actually block the creature with provoke. For example, a Crested Craghorn can ‘provoke’ a Cloud Elemental even though when blockers are declared the Elemental can’t block the Craghorn. The other important fact to point out is that the choice of wether or not to have this blocking requirement generated is not made until the trigger resolves. You can target a creature when the ability goes on the stack and choose to not have it become untapped and block.