Fight — what does it mean?
Two creatures each deal damage to the other equal to their power, at the same time.
Fight appears on 153 cards.
How does Fight work?
When two creatures fight, each one deals damage equal to its power to the other. It happens simultaneously, outside of combat, usually through a spell or ability. Because it isn't attacking, summoning sickness doesn't matter, and a tapped creature can fight too. A creature with 0 power deals no damage. If a creature is made to fight itself, it deals damage to itself equal to twice its power.
Fight damage isn't combat damage. First strike, double strike, and trample do nothing. Deathtouch and lifelink do work, since they apply to all damage. The creature itself is the source of the damage: a creature with protection from your fighter's color takes no damage from it.
If either creature has left the battlefield or is no longer a creature when the spell resolves, neither one fights or deals damage. The same goes if either target has become illegal. That's the risk: if your opponent removes your creature in response, theirs takes nothing. Note the difference with effects where only one creature deals damage to another. That's not a fight, and your creature takes nothing back.
An example at the table
You cast a spell that has your 4/4 fight your opponent's 3/3. Normally your 4/4 deals 4 and the 3/3 dies, while your 4/4 takes 3 and survives. Your opponent responds with an instant that gives their 3/3 +2/+2. Now your 4/4 deals 4 to a 5/5, which survives, and the 5/5 deals 5 to your 4/4, which dies. If they'd destroyed your 4/4 instead, nothing would've happened to their 3/3.
Cards with Fight
Bridgeworks Battle // Tanglespan BridgeworksIllustration: Ron Spears
Brash TaunterIllustration: Edgar Sánchez Hidalgo
Ezuri's PredationIllustration: Uriah Voth
Kogla, the Titan ApeIllustration: Chris Rahn
BushwhackIllustration: Artur NakhodkinCommon mistakes
- Thinking fight damage is combat damage. First strike and trample don't apply; deathtouch and lifelink do.
- Thinking the other creature still takes damage if yours disappears in response. Then neither creature fights.
- Thinking a summoning-sick or tapped creature can't fight. Fighting isn't attacking and doesn't require tapping.
Frequently asked questions
- Does deathtouch work with fight?
- Yes. Deathtouch applies to all damage, so the other creature is destroyed as soon as yours deals damage to it.
- Does first strike work with fight?
- No. First strike only affects combat damage. In a fight, both creatures deal damage at the same time.
- What happens if my creature leaves before the fight spell resolves?
- Neither creature fights. Your opponent's creature takes no damage.
- Can a summoning-sick creature fight?
- Yes. Fighting isn't attacking and doesn't require tapping the creature.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 701.14. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
TransformTrampleEnchantDoubleTreasure
Which cards with Fight do you own? →
Last updated: 26 October 2026