If you read Fatal Push, its wording looks a little bit weirder than what you’d expect to see on a card of that type. Instead of being worded like Smother, which can only target a creature with a converted mana cost of three or less, Fatal Push can actually target any creature, but will only destroy the creature if the creature has a converted mana cost of two or less (or four or less, if you’ve enabled revolt).
What does this mean? Well, it means that Fatal Push can actually target any creature, not just a creature with a lower converted mana cost, but will only do something to that creature if it has a low enough converted mana cost when the Push resolves. For instance, if your opponent casts Fatal Push on your Tarmogoyf, you could use something like Deflection to change the target of Fatal Push to your Terra Stomper. No matter how hard the Push tries, it won’t be able to destroy the Stomper. This wouldn’t work with Smother, since Smother can only target a creature with a converted mana cost of three or less.
But it’s not all bad. Since Fatal Push can target any creature, you can take advantage of things that trigger when it becomes targeted, even if the Push won’t do anything to that creature. For example, if your opponent has a Phantasmal Image copying a Terra Stomper, you can cast the Push targeting it. Even though the Stomper wouldn’t be destroyed by the Push, since the Image Stomper was targeted by a spell or ability, it will end up sacrificed. Or you could target your Anthousa, Setessan Hero with the Push, just to get the heroic trigger, and have the Push not destroy Anthousa when it resolves.
So some subtle differences means that you can take advantage of this card in ways you may not have expected (you know, outside of playing it in your next Modern tournament).
Today’s Rules Tip written by Nathan Long