Attack if Able

Attack if Able is a demerit effect in which a creature is forced to attack if able.

Details

It commonly refers to the ability that forces a creature to attack each turn "if able". This "if able" condition requires the creature to not have summoning sickness and being it into the battle zone during the turn, or being prevented from attacking by other effects such as Nariel, the Oracle.

This also sometimes calls a creature with this ability a "Mandatory Attacker". Your aren't allowed you to use Tap Ability.

It is a demerit often found on creatures in the Fire Civilization, while the Darkness Civilization often grants the forced ability of attacking to your opponents creatures, and the Nature Civilization forcing them to attack your creatures.

This creature attacks each turn if able

Creatures with this ability must attack each turn unless they can't attack by summoning sickness, etc.

This creature attacks twice each turn if able

Essentially the same as above. However the creature untaps itself and must attack twice.

Each of your other creatures must attack if able

Creatures with this ability force your other creatures toattack.

This excludes creatures that can't attack normally (such as Can't Attack) or that have summoning sickness. Creatures that can't attack the opponent are still only able to attack if your opponent has a tapped creature.

Even if a creature with this ability leaves the battle zone, the effect remains. (see Continuous Effect).

All your opponents creatures attack if able

These cards give your opponents creatures the demerit of forcing them to attack, often leading to self-destruction.

Slime Veil, Forced Frenzy

Your opponents creatures will attack ~ if able

This ability forces your opponents creature to attack, as well as changing their attack target.

However, if the attack target is untapped, it can't be attacked.

All creatures attack if able

All creatures (both yours and your opponents) must attack. It is a static ability that applies while the creature is in the battle zone.

Your opponents attacking creatures attack ~ if able

This creature limits the attack target of what your opponent attacks.

The text for this effect has changed occasionally. It is similar to the Guardman keyword.

Sanvuakka, Earth Attack
Nature / Creature / Gaia Command / 8 / 5000
Shield trigger (When this creature is put into your hand from your shield zone, you may summon it immediately for no cost.) ■ Guardman (When one of your other creatures is attacked, you may tap this creature. If you do, the attacking creature will attack this creature instead.) ■ When you put this creature into the battle zone, you may tap it. ■ Whenever your opponent's creatures attack, they must attack this creature if able.

Rules

"Attacks if Able" and "Can't Attack"

• Occasionally, it is believed that if you must attack "If able", then you have to attack, even if the creature is limited to.

"If able" only refers to the condition of already being able to attack (i.e. not having summoning sickness) or not being prevented from attack.

"Can't Attack" and "Attack if Able"

• If "attacks if able" (forced) and "Can't attack" (prohibited) effects are both applied at the same time, the prohibition takes precedence. Even if you cast Forced Frenzy while Nariel, the Oracle was in the battle zone, creatures that have more than 3000 power can't attack.

"Attack Target"

• Notice that "your opponents creatures attack ~ if able" is written on an ability such as Forbidding Totem. This doesn't force your opponent to attack, only limiting what they attack. They are unable to attack the player, or any non-Mystery Totem creature.

It differs from the effect that forces your opponents creatures to attack, as well as creatures if able such as Heavy, Dragon God.

Other

• A card such as Storium, Light Ray Doll can be used to prevent any of your other creatures from attacking.
• This type of ability is affected even by creatures that have a Diamond State. The Diamond State would force any creatures that were previously unable to attack (in most cases, even if they had summoning sickness) to attack.