Goad — what does it mean?

Until your next turn, a goaded creature must attack each combat, and attack a player other than you if it can.

Goad appears on 84 cards.

How does Goad work?

Goad is a keyword action (rule 701.15). When you goad a creature, it stays goaded until your next turn. During that time it must attack each combat if it's able, and it must attack a player other than you if it can. The creature's controller still picks which of your opponents it goes after. Goad isn't a way to aim a threat, it's a way to push one away from you.

The words ‘if able’ do a lot of work. A goaded creature that's tapped, that came under its controller's control this turn, or that can't attack for some other reason just stays home. If attacking would cost something, like a tax per attacker, the controller doesn't have to pay it. Goad also says nothing about blocking, so on your turn that creature can still block your attackers.

In multiplayer, goads stack up. If two different players goad the same creature, it must attack a player who didn't goad it, if possible. If every opponent has goaded it, it still has to attack one of them, and its controller chooses which. If it can't attack any player other than you, it must attack a planeswalker or battle an opponent controls, or you. Goading the same creature a second time yourself adds nothing.

An example at the table

Four-player Commander. On your turn you goad the 6/6 with trample controlled by the player on your left. Their turn starts: the creature is untapped and has been there since the turn began, so it has to attack. You're off limits, so they send it at the player across from you, who takes 6. On the third player's turn the creature is still goaded, but goad only forces attacks on its controller's turn. When your next turn begins, the goad ends. Because it attacked, the 6/6 stays tapped until its controller's untap step unless it has vigilance, so it can't block you either.

Cards with Goad

Disrupt DecorumIllustration: Sidharth ChaturvediShiny ImpetusIllustration: Filipe PagliusoGrenzo, Havoc RaiserIllustration: Svetlin VelinovTaunt from the RampartIllustration: Thomas Chamberlain-KeenVengeful AncestorIllustration: Mark Zug

Common mistakes

• Thinking you choose the target. You only rule yourself out; the creature's controller decides which other player it attacks.
• Assuming a goaded creature can't block. Goad only forces attacks, so on other turns it blocks as usual.
• Forcing an attack that costs something. If attacking requires paying a cost, the controller can decline and keep the creature home.
• Thinking goad ends at end of turn. It lasts until your next turn, so it covers every opponent's turn in between.

Frequently asked questions

Does a goaded creature have to attack me in a two-player game?

Yes, if it can attack at all. You're the only opponent, so it attacks you or something of yours it's allowed to attack.

What happens if two players goad the same creature?

It must attack a player who didn't goad it, if it can. If all opponents goaded it, its controller picks which of them it attacks.

Does a summoning-sick creature have to attack when goaded?

No. Goad only applies if the creature is able to attack, and a creature that hasn't been under its controller's control since the start of their turn can't.

Can a goaded creature attack a planeswalker?

Only if it can't attack a player other than you. In that case it may attack a planeswalker or battle an opponent controls, or you.

Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 701.15. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.

Often seen with

EnchantFlyingTreasureHasteFirst strike

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Last updated: 26 October 2026