Resources

Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules Changes

Core Set - Ninth Edition to Ravnica: City of Guilds (Single Change View)

General changes

Old rule (Core Set - Ninth Edition) New rule (Ravnica: City of Guilds)

Defending Player

During the combat phase, the active player is attacking and is the attacking player. As the combat phase starts, the active player chooses one opponent. The chosen opponent is being attacked and is the defending player. Creatures can attack only the defending player; they can't attack other creatures. During phases other than combat, there is no defending player. See rule 306.3. If the "attack multiple players" option is used, there can be more than one defending player. See rule 602, "Attack Multiple Players Option."

Defending Player

During the combat phase, the active player is attacking and is the attacking player. As the combat phase starts, the active player chooses one opponent. The chosen opponent is being attacked and is the defending player. Creatures can attack only the defending player; they can't attack other creatures. During phases other than combat, there is no defending player. See rule 306.3. If the "attack multiple players" option is used in a multiplayer game, there can be more than one defending player. See rule 602, "Attack Multiple Players Option." The Two-Headed Giant variant uses different combat rules than other multiplayer variants; see rule 606.7.