<p>When a card says "target [something] <strong>or</strong> [something else]", the "or" is part of the target description. While you are casting the spell, you choose the target, and the chosen target can be either one of those things. In the case of that specific wording, that means that you can choose either a creature or a player as the spell's target.</p>

<p>Note: The specific card you referenced, Searing Spear, has had errata as of the release of the set Dominaria. It now says</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Searing Spear deals 3 damage to any target.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>And "any target" just means "target creature or player or planeswalker". Many other cards had similar changes.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-25T23:55:23.707Z
2018-05-25T23:55:23.707Z
murgatroid99
<p>When playing a spell card such as <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=430595" rel="noreferrer">Searing Spear</a>. Where the card deals 3 damage to target creature "or" Player. 
Who decides what the "or" effects?  The player casting the card or the opponent receiving the effect of the card? </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-26T07:49:19.770Z
Read it as "target (creature or player)"
ikegami
<magic-the-gathering>
Who decides which of the "or" effects is applied?
Dustin Duncan
# Who decides which of the "or" effects is applied?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-25)

When playing a spell card such as [Searing Spear](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=430595). Where the card deals 3 damage to target creature "or" Player.
Who decides what the "or" effects? The player casting the card or the opponent receiving the effect of the card?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Read it as "target (creature or player)"  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-05-25. Score: 16

When a card says "target [something] **or** [something else]", the "or" is part of the target description. While you are casting the spell, you choose the target, and the chosen target can be either one of those things. In the case of that specific wording, that means that you can choose either a creature or a player as the spell's target.

Note: The specific card you referenced, Searing Spear, has had errata as of the release of the set Dominaria. It now says

> Searing Spear deals 3 damage to any target.

And "any target" just means "target creature or player or planeswalker". Many other cards had similar changes.


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