Not every Magic deck aims to win by attacking with creatures. Some players seek a more explosive approach: the combo kill. These decks combine two or more cards in a way that creates a game-ending interaction, often within a single turn. For newer players, spotting a combo before it happens—and knowing how to disrupt it—can be the difference between a win and a sudden, unexpected loss.

Combo decks typically revolve around assembling specific pieces. This could be infinite mana, infinite damage, or an unstoppable game loop. The tricky part is that many of these pieces seem harmless on their own. A card like Deadeye Navigator might look like just a flashy creature—until it starts blinking Peregrine Drake endlessly to generate infinite mana.

So how do you learn to spot the signs? Pay attention to cards that create cost reduction, untap effects, or repeated triggers—especially if your opponent is tutoring for specific pieces or has multiple cards that synergize unusually well. Experience will teach you what combinations to watch out for, but even early on, noticing “engine” cards—ones that seem to do a lot with very little—can be a red flag.

Stopping a combo is all about timing. Counterspells, targeted removal, graveyard hate, or even tax effects like Rule of Law can all stop the pieces from coming together. Often, all you need to do is break one part of the chain. Don’t wait until your opponent is halfway through the combo—intervening at the first setup move can save the entire table. Awareness is your first and strongest defense.