For some reason, there was a misconception shortly after Eye of Doom was spoiled that each player can only choose to put a doom counter on one of his or her own permanents. Luckily, a careful reading of the card will show that’s not the case at all! The only restriction on choosing something is that it must be “a nonland permanent.” You can choose a permanent with shroud or hexproof, or even a permanent that already has a doom counter on it (perhaps from a previous Eye of Doom). Assuming your opponent has something juicy that you’d like to blow up, you’re probably going to choose that. However, be aware that your opponent can do the same to you.

Where it gets interesting is in a multiplayer game; there’s no rule saying that you have to choose different players to hand around doom counters to, so if you and your fellow players all decide to team up against the frontrunner, you can all put doom counters on his or her stuff. (Hopefully, that player isn’t you!) Just be aware that while table talk is allowed, per the rules you have to announce what permanent you’re choosing first because you’re the controller of the Eye. Your choice gets locked in, then the next player in the turn order will get to make his or her choice knowing what you chose, then the player after that, and so on until everyone has chosen.

Today’s Rules Tip written by Jen Wong