Can blockers be declared after casting Hold the Line?

Asked by Bravet 6 months ago

If blockers are declared after casting Hold the Line, will they still get +7/+7? For example if opponent A is attacking opponent B, could I cast Hold the Line so opponent B could block more confidently? Or would I have to say "trust me" and cast Hold the Line after opponent B blocks?

legendofa says... Accepted answer #1

The creatures have to be declared as blockers before Hold the Line is cast. The wording that would allow future blockers to get the +7/+7 would have to be something like "Until end of combat, whenever a crearure blocks, it gets +7/+7 until end of turn."

"Blocking creatures" refers specifically to creatures that are actively blocking, not to creatures that will block in the future.

November 14, 2023 10:14 p.m.

Rhadamanthus says... #2

An additional note to support the above answer: If the effect of a resolving one-shot spell/ability would affect the characteristics of objects (types, color, abilities, P/T etc.) then the set of objects it would affect is locked in at the time it resolves. If you cast Hold the Line before blockers are declared then there wouldn't be any "blocking creatures" on the battlefield and nothing would happen.

November 15, 2023 2:33 p.m.