Rules glossary
↑ Section 508. Declare Attackers Step
508.4 If a creature is put onto the battlefield attacking, its controller chooses which defending player, planeswalker a defending player controls, or battle a defending player protects it’s attacking as it enters the battlefield (unless the effect that put it onto the battlefield specifies what it’s attacking). Similarly, if an effect states that a creature is attacking, its controller chooses which defending player, planeswalker a defending player controls, or battle a defending player protects it’s attacking (unless the effect has already specified). Such creatures are “attacking” but, for the purposes of trigger events and effects, they never “attacked.” They remain attacking creatures until they’re removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first.
- 508.4a If a creature would be put onto the battlefield attacking a certain player, and that player is no longer in the game, the creature is put onto the battlefield but is never considered an attacking creature. The same is true if a creature would be put onto the battlefield attacking a planeswalker or battle and that permanent is no longer on the battlefield, is no longer a planeswalker or battle, is a planeswalker that is no longer controlled by a defending player, or is a battle that is no longer protected by a defending player.
- 508.4b If the effect that states a creature is attacking specifies it’s attacking a certain player, and that player is no longer in the game when the effect resolves, the creature doesn’t become an attacking creature. The same is true if the effect specifies a creature is attacking a planeswalker or battle and, when the effect resolves, that permanent is no longer on the battlefield, is no longer a planeswalker or battle, is a planeswalker that is no longer controlled by a defending player, or is a battle that is no longer protected by a defending player.
- 508.4c A creature that’s put onto the battlefield attacking or that is stated to be attacking isn’t affected by requirements or restrictions that apply to the declaration of attackers.
- 508.4d A creature that’s put onto the battlefield attacking during the declare blockers step, combat damage step, or end of combat step enters the battlefield as an unblocked creature. It remains unblocked until it is removed from combat, an effect says it becomes blocked, or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first.