For Challenge # 080, based on Thundersong Trumpeter.

I like the idea, but I think there may be some rules problem or confusion with choosing how one creature attacks/blocks. I'm not sure, but I think other "choose how" cards have avoided having one player specify some creatures and an opponent specify other creatures -- at least, it might be unclear who has to choose first.

I'm don't see the problem with a one-creature version of Master Warcraft and similar effects. All choices related to the creature's forced attack or block are clearly made by a single player. The alternative option goes "choose one: -- Target creature attacks target player or planeswalker; or target creature blocks target attacking creature; or target creature can't attack or block this turn." and I'm pretty that doesn't even cover all the possibilities.

It's to do with attacking and blocking restrictions and requirements. Say I choose that your Ember Beast has to attack this turn...

That said, I do like this quite a lot, and it'd be great if the rules can be made to work.

Yeah, I've often wanted to make something like this, and this is a good example of where the ability would be used.

Of course, you could make the rules unambiguous by specifying an order for the players, eg. "active player chooses first" or "active player chooses last", with the same rules that if there's no legal attack/block, they have to do it over. But unlike master warcraft, you'd just have to know that specific rule.

And even without special restrictions on blocking, it still matters who chooses first, eg. if I attack with a 5/5, and you have two 3/3s, and I activate prodigy targetting one of them, I want to make the 3/3 block only if you DON'T block with the other one, and you want to block with the other one only if I DO choose to block with the other one.

Alternatively, it could work how Circeus describes, where you choose that it has to attack, or not attack, or block X if able, and its controller chooses under that restriction. That would at least be self-consistent, even though it may be confusing it works differently to master warcraft.

As long as it's a rare, it basically will have the same kind of rulings as Boros Battleshaper does (the only difference is that this card also lets you decide who the creature attacks or blocks).

See also: Banding. I know it's been out of the game since 1996 or so, but that doesn't mean the cards don't exist, wondering whether or not you can declare that the creature is attacking in a band, and can you drag another creature into combat in the process.

But, yes, assuming these issues can be solved, I like it. The restrictions aren't that common... I don't really mind if someone gets hosed in an ideal situation. After all, Mindslaver hoses a player with Wall of Blood in play (which I found out at a local draft in 2003). That doesn't mean Mindslaver shouldn't have been printed. Actually, the fact that I had a Wall of Blood in play and couldn't do anything about it is a funny story, and something I smile over even today.

I didn't realize this would generate so much discussion! I'm going to edit the ability in an attempt to eliminate some of the issues discussed here.

@Link. Yeah, the new version seems sensible, though I agree it's a shame it couldn't use the same template as the original :(

I doubt it'll stop people talking about the rules though :)

@jmg: I think banding is the one set of rules Wizards might be willing to break in order to make new cards :)

@Jack: I'm fine with that too. Banding was broken. I have no problem with this card hating on the fourth best keyword ability in the game (assuming indestructible is a thing now)