MTG is a complicated game, and there’s little more complex than its ability – like the reach keyword. I’m sure we’ve all played a match where we’ve attacked with a flying creature only to have it blocked by a creature without flying. What’s up with that; how does reach work in MTG?
Even though they don’t have flying, creatures with reach can block flying creatures as though they did. However, you don’t need a flying creature to block a creature with reach. Blocking with any creature will work.
Now that we understand reach basics, we can look at how this keyword mechanic functions in practice. This article will look at the most frequently asked questions about reach in MTG and give examples to explain them.
What Is Reach MTG?
Reach is the keyword ability that lets a creature block other creatures that have flying. You can find it primarily in green, although a couple of red and white cards have the reach keyword.
Since so few green cards have flying, reach is one of the ways that the color can counter this powerful ability instead.
It’s a good way to defend against evasive attackers, especially because some of MTG’s deadliest tribes usually have flying – angels, dragons, and demons all have this ability.
Reach has been in the game since the earliest MTG set – Alpha. However, despite appearing on many good creatures, like Giant Spider, it was not a keyword. MTG designers only made reach a keyword in the Future Sight expansion, and since then, they’ve retroactively given older cards with this ability the reach keyword.
However, reach isn’t as potent as the flying ability, although it’s still pretty helpful. Importantly, reach creatures can be blocked normally – your opponent doesn’t have to block them with flying creatures. So, reach is entirely defensive.
For example, my opponent attacks me with Dragonfly Suit, which has flying. I control Gravelighter, Alluring Suitor, and Bounding Wolf. My Gravelighter has flying, and so can block the attacker. However, Alluring Suitor lacks this ability and can’t protect me.
Even though Bounding Wolf doesn’t have flying, it does have the reach keyword. Because of that, I can also use this creature to block Dragonfly Suit and protect my life total.
On the other hand, if I attack my opponent with Bounding Wolf, they can block it with any untapped creature they control. Reach doesn’t force them to block with a flying creature, such as Dragonfly Suit.
Do Giants Have Reach MTG?
Not all MTG giants have the reach keyword, but Arbor Colossus, Howling Giant, Skyraker Giant are three that do have this keyword ability.
Similarly, you can give Hundred-Handed One, and Swarmborn Giant reach by activating their monstrosity abilities.
It might surprise that so few giants have this ability, but it makes sense to look at the color pie. Most giants in MTG aren’t green, which is the reach ability’s primary color.
So, many MTG giants have their immense size represented by abilities like trample or vigilance instead, or by their high power and toughness.
Do Spiders Have Reach MTG?
Almost all spiders in MTG have the reach keyword – it is their signature ability. It even appears on spiders that aren’t green, such as the black tokens that Lolth, Spider Queen can create.
Before MTG designers made reach into a keyword, players called it the giant spider ability. Among spiders, it’s that ubiquitous.
Its easier to list the spiders which don’t have this ability: Giant Trap Door Spider and Root Spider. These spiders live underground in MTG lore, and they couldn’t block any flying creatures.
Do Walls Have Reach MTG?
Some Walls in MTG have the reach keyword, but many do not. Aether Membrane, Brimstone Trebuchet, and Tuktuk Rubblefort are examples of Walls with the reach keyword.
Like the Wall of Denial, some Walls have the flying ability instead. That’s because the Wall creature type is fairly diverse – apart from having the defender keyword, individual Walls have little in common.
A Wall in MTG can be anything from floating swords to overgrown plants, and their abilities vary accordingly.
How To Play Against Reach in Magic The Gathering?
The easiest way to play against reach is to remove the creatures with the ability. Because reach creatures don’t typically have a protection ability, they’re easy pickings for kill spells.
Likewise, if you know creatures with the reach keyword will be problematic for your attackers, later on, plan accordingly. You can remove them before they hit the battlefield with counterspells and hand attacks.
If need be, you can also play combat tricks. Suppose you suddenly increase your flying creature’s stats. That can often kill the reach creature, blocking it while keeping your attacker alive.
On the other hand, remember that reach only lets a creature block flying. It’s useless against other evasion keywords like trample and protection. So, play creatures with those abilities instead, or give them to your team before attacking.
Remember that the reach keyword won’t win your opponent the game. It’s solely a defensive keyword that stops you from successfully attacking with flying creatures.
Because of that, your opponent still has to win the game another way. And while some reach creatures have decent stats, most are fairly average – and they can’t block either if they attack. So, you can sometimes focus on defeating your opponent’s overall strategy instead of worrying about their reach creatures.
Also, it’s generally a good idea not to overload your deck with flying creatures either. Green has other ways to destroy them – and even against non-green decks, they aren’t always the best. Sometimes, a creature with higher stats or different abilities is better.
Last, sometimes it’s another card that’s giving your opponent’s creature the reach keyword. In that case, ensure you remove that card – and the creature will no longer be a threat.
While some equipment cards give a creature reach, it is usually an instant or enchantment instead. And while you can’t do much against instants except counter them, enchantments are also vulnerable to permanent destruction.
Reach MTG Rules
702.17a Reach is a static ability. (Source)
702.17b A creature with flying can’t be blocked except by creatures with flying and/or reach. (See rule 509, “Declare Blockers Step,” and rule 702.9, “Flying.”)
702.17c Multiple instances of reach on the same creature are redundant. (Source)
Final Thoughts
To conclude, reach is an evergreen keyword ability that lets a creature block as though it had flying. This ability is great if you’re on the defensive and it’s one of green’s signature ways to combat flying creatures. However, reach creatures can be blocked by any other creature and aren’t as versatile as their flying counterparts.