Rule evolution

Rule 508.5a

Previously numbered 508.4a.

Earliest archived Rules release: 2010-06-18 · 0 wording revisions · 2 renumberings

  1. Added508.5aDetails
    In a multiplayer game, any rule, object, or effect that refers to a "defending player" refers to one specific defending player, not to all of the defending players. If a spell or ability could apply to multiple attacking creatures, the appropriate defending player is individually determined for each of those attacking creatures. If there are multiple defending players that could be chosen, the controller of the spell or ability chooses one.
  2. Renumbered508.5a → 508.4aDetails

    Previously
    5. Turn Structure
    508. Declare Attackers Step

    Then
    5. Turn Structure
    508. Declare Attackers Step

    In a multiplayer game, any rule, object, or effect that refers to a “defending player” refers to one specific defending player, not to all of the defending players. If a spell or ability could apply to multiple attacking creatures, the appropriate defending player is individually determined for each of those attacking creatures. If there are multiple defending players that could be chosen, the controller of the spell or ability chooses one.
  3. Renumbered508.4a → 508.5aDetails

    Previously
    5. Turn Structure
    508. Declare Attackers Step

    Then
    5. Turn Structure
    508. Declare Attackers Step

    In a multiplayer game, any rule, object, or effect that refers to a “defending player” refers to one specific defending player, not to all of the defending players. If a spell or ability could apply to multiple attacking creatures, the appropriate defending player is individually determined for each of those attacking creatures. If there are multiple defending players that could be chosen, the controller of the spell or ability chooses one.

Current in the latest available Rules
Unchanged since 2026-08-07.