How to Start a Riot

Strategy & Gameplay

How to Start a Riot is a versatile instant from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan that offers exceptional value as both a combat trick and a tempo accelerant for aggressive red decks. At just two generic and one red mana, this instant provides dual functionality that makes it particularly attractive in formats where you're looking to push through damage quickly or break through board stalls. The card grants a single target creature menace until end of turn, making it significantly harder to block, while simultaneously pumping all creatures your opponent controls with +2/0, which creates explosive offensive potential in wide strategies and aggressive creature-focused decks. This makes it an excellent fit for Gruul aggro strategies, red burn-adjacent tempo shells, and any archetype that can leverage the simultaneous board presence and evasion. The menace effect is particularly powerful when combined with large creatures or creatures with existing evasion, while the global power boost can turn a seemingly stalled board into a lethal offense. As an instant-speed lesson card, it integrates seamlessly into Silverquill lesson packages and educational strategies in limited formats. The card's legality across an impressive range of formats including Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Commander, Brawl, and numerous others makes it a staple consideration for competitive and casual players alike. Whether you're piloting aggressive decks in Standard or building Gruul strategies in Pioneer, How to Start a Riot provides the efficient combat support and tempo pressure that can close out games decisively when you need it most.