Face a villainous choice
| Face a villainous choice | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Doctor Who |
| Last used | Secret Lair Drop Series: Sonic Superdrop |
| Reminder Text | No official reminder text |
| Storm Scale | 6[1] |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Face a villainous choice is a keyword action introduced in the Universes Beyond set Doctor Who.[2] It is a punisher mechanic.
Description
Villainous choice affects the player's opponents. They are presented with a choice of two effects which are both detrimental.[3][4] It is a punisher mechanic, but with targeting it has greater multiplayer appeal with negotiation.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (July 25, 2025—Edge of Eternities)
- Face a Villainous Choice
- A keyword action that causes a player to choose one of two listed choices. See rule 701.55, “Face a Villainous Choice.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (July 25, 2025—Edge of Eternities)
- 701.55. Face a Villainous Choice
- 701.55a “[A player] faces a villainous choice — [option A], or [option B]” means “[A player] chooses [option A] or [option B]. Then all actions in the chosen option are performed.”
- 701.55b While facing a villainous choice, a player may choose an option that is illegal or impossible. In that case, they perform as much of the action as is possible. This is an exception to rule 608.2d.
- 701.55c A replacement effect may replace an instruction to face a villainous choice with an instruction to face that choice some number of additional times. In that case, the entire process described in rule 701.55a is performed for that player the appropriate number of times one at a time.
- 701.55d If more than one player is instructed to face a villainous choice, the entire process described in rule 701.55a is performed for each of those players one at a time in APNAP order. This is an exception to rule 608.2e.
Example
Example
Missy 
Legendary Creature — Time Lord Rogue
4/5
Whenever another nonartifact creature dies, return it to the battlefield under your control face down and tapped. It is a 2/2 Cyberman artifact creature
At the beginning of your end step, each of your opponents faces a villainous choice — Each artifact creature you control deals 1 damage to that opponent, or you draw a card and chaos ensues.
Rulings
- When a player faces a villainous choice, they first choose one of the two options, then all actions in the chosen option are performed.
- A player offered a villainous choice can always choose either option, even if the effect of that option turns out to not do anything.[5]
- If multiple players are offered a villainous choice, the first opponent in turn order makes their choice, then that effect happens. Then, the next player makes their choice, that effect happens, and so on for each player faced with a villainous choice.
Cards that interact with villainous choice
- The Valeyard (repeat)
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2023-10-08). "So... where on the Storm Scale do paradox, time travel, and villainous choice sit?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Jess Dunks (October 9, 2023). "Magic: The Gathering - Doctor Who Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ The Preview Panel at MagicCon: Barcelona (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (July 28, 2023).
- ↑ Matt Tabak (October 3, 2023). "Magic: The Gathering - Doctor Who Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Jess Dunks (October 11, 2023). "When facing a villainous choice, a player can choose either option regardless of whether the actions can be performed.". Twitter.