It’s often said that rules knowledge is a skill, and to an extent, that’s true — a thorough knowledge of the rules can help open up plays to you that you might not have even realized were possible. For example, ever thought of using regeneration to counter a spell that doesn’t destroy things? Here’s a little bit of secret tech that you just might be able to use at your next FNM.

Suppose you’ve got a Lotleth Troll. As trolls go, he’s pretty aggressive, and he loves to eat discarded creatures and get loaded up with +1/+1 counters. But just as you’re swinging for lethal, your opponent has wised up and targeted your bloated Troll with an Azorius Charm. You could let it resolve… but in all likelihood, your opponent will have a counterspell for it next turn. What’s a rot farmer to do?

First things first, toss a regeneration shield onto the Troll. Then, although it looks counter-intuitive, cast Abrupt Decay on your own Troll. It can’t be countered, so your opponent will have to let it resolve, and regeneration can begin doing its magical work. After preventing the destruction event, it comes with three additional effects, if applicable: tap the regenerated permanent (it already is), remove all damage from it (none there), and remove it from combat.

This last part is the key. Because the Troll is removed from combat, it’s no longer considered an “attacking creature”, so Azorius Charm no longer has a legal target! Your opponent’s Azorius Charm will fizzle, and your troll will live on to fight another day. Who’d have thought that trying to kill your own creatures could be so profitable (aside from the Golgari, that is)?

Today’s Rules Tip written by Jen Wong