<blockquote>
  <p>If Prey Upon is used on Bonded Horncrest, will it be able to "attack alone"?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>No, it won't. <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bPrey%20Upon%5d">Prey Upon</a> is a spell that makes creatures <em>fight</em> each other. <em>Fight</em> is a keyword:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>701.12. Fight</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>701.12a A spell or ability may instruct a creature to fight another creature or it may instruct two creatures to fight each other. Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its power to the other creature.</p>
  </blockquote>
</blockquote>

<p>I assume you got confused by the wording on the cards, but fighting has absolutely nothing to do with the combat phase. If a creature (such as <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBonded%20Horncrest%5d">Bonded Horncrest</a>) cannot attack alone, it means that it cannot be the only creature declared as an attacker in the "declare attackers" step of the combat phase.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>p.s. If Prey Upon is used on Snapping Sailback, will it get a +1/+1 counter?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Assuming <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSnapping%20Sailback%5d">Snapping Sailback</a> survives the damage it was dealt, then yes, it gets a +1/+1 counter.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>and I assume the +1/+1 counter enters after the fight/dmg has been dealt, right?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>That's correct.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-18T13:05:53.437Z
So will Bonded Horncrest be able to fight when Prey Upon (or Cherised Hatchling ability) is used on it? Even though it's the only creature (of your own *edit) to fight in that moment. Since it's "fighting" and not "attacking or blocking".
dino
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-18T13:08:16.663Z
Yes. As I said, _fighting_ and _attacking_ are two different mechanics. A creature that cannot attack for any reason (maybe it has Defender or it has been enchanted by Faith's Fetters) can still fight other creatures.
J. Sallé
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-18T13:18:29.503Z
No problem at all, friend. Glad I could help. I suggest you take some time to read through the [Comprehensive Rules](http://media.wizards.com/2018/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020180413.pdf) if you're a new player. You don't need to read all of it, but the "General" rule of each rule section will give you a good grasp of what that section is about, and it'll surely improve your general understanding of the game's mechanics.
J. Sallé
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-18T13:42:05.537Z
I respectfully disagree with @J.Salle, if you are a new player, you should read the Basic Rules:  http://media.wizards.com/2014/docs/EN_M15_QckStrtBklt_LR_Crop.pdf  The comprehensive rules are for later....
John
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-18T13:44:31.340Z
Yes, there's also the Basic Rules! They're indeed a better resource for a newer player to read. Thanks John!
J. Sallé
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-18T13:00:15.327Z
2018-05-18T13:00:15.327Z
J. Sallé
<p>If <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bPrey%20Upon%5d">Prey Upon</a> is used on <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBonded%20Horncrest%5d">Bonded Horncrest</a>, will it be able to "attack alone" ?
Is this the same for Bonded Horncrest being the target of <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSavage%20Stomp%5d">Savage Stomp</a> and the <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bCherished%20Hatchling%5d">Cherished Hatchling</a>'s ability?</p>

<p>p.s. If Prey Upon is used on <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSnapping%20Sailback%5d">Snapping Sailback</a>, will it get a +1/+1 counter? and I assume the +1/+1 counter enters after the fight/dmg has been dealt, right?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Bonded Horncrest and Prey Upon interaction
dino
# Bonded Horncrest and Prey Upon interaction

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-18)

If [Prey Upon](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bPrey%20Upon%5d) is used on [Bonded Horncrest](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBonded%20Horncrest%5d), will it be able to "attack alone" ?
Is this the same for Bonded Horncrest being the target of [Savage Stomp](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSavage%20Stomp%5d) and the [Cherished Hatchling](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bCherished%20Hatchling%5d)'s ability?

p.s. If Prey Upon is used on [Snapping Sailback](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSnapping%20Sailback%5d), will it get a +1/+1 counter? and I assume the +1/+1 counter enters after the fight/dmg has been dealt, right?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-05-18. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

> If Prey Upon is used on Bonded Horncrest, will it be able to "attack alone"?

No, it won't. [Prey Upon](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bPrey%20Upon%5d) is a spell that makes creatures *fight* each other. *Fight* is a keyword:

> 701.12. Fight
>
> > 701.12a A spell or ability may instruct a creature to fight another creature or it may instruct two creatures to fight each other. Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its power to the other creature.

I assume you got confused by the wording on the cards, but fighting has absolutely nothing to do with the combat phase. If a creature (such as [Bonded Horncrest](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBonded%20Horncrest%5d)) cannot attack alone, it means that it cannot be the only creature declared as an attacker in the "declare attackers" step of the combat phase.

> p.s. If Prey Upon is used on Snapping Sailback, will it get a +1/+1 counter?

Assuming [Snapping Sailback](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSnapping%20Sailback%5d) survives the damage it was dealt, then yes, it gets a +1/+1 counter.

> and I assume the +1/+1 counter enters after the fight/dmg has been dealt, right?

That's correct.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So will Bonded Horncrest be able to fight when Prey Upon (or Cherised Hatchling ability) is used on it? Even though it's the only creature (of your own *edit) to fight in that moment. Since it's "fighting" and not "attacking or blocking".  
> **username_1**: Yes. As I said, _fighting_ and _attacking_ are two different mechanics. A creature that cannot attack for any reason (maybe it has Defender or it has been enchanted by Faith's Fetters) can still fight other creatures.  
> **username_1**: No problem at all, friend. Glad I could help. I suggest you take some time to read through the [Comprehensive Rules](http://media.wizards.com/2018/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020180413.pdf) if you're a new player. You don't need to read all of it, but the "General" rule of each rule section will give you a good grasp of what that section is about, and it'll surely improve your general understanding of the game's mechanics.  
> **username_2**: I respectfully disagree with @J.Salle, if you are a new player, you should read the Basic Rules:  http://media.wizards.com/2014/docs/EN_M15_QckStrtBklt_LR_Crop.pdf  The comprehensive rules are for later....  
> **username_1**: Yes, there's also the Basic Rules! They're indeed a better resource for a newer player to read. Thanks username_2!  

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