Resources

Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules Changes

Masters Edition to Lorwyn (Single Change View)

General changes

Old rule (Masters Edition) New rule (Lorwyn)

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.

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 the defending player. Creatures can attack only the defending player or a planeswalker the defending player controls; they can't attack other creatures. During phases other than combat, there is no defending player. See rule 306.2. 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.