803. Attack Left and Attack Right Options
In short
The "attack left/right" option: only the direct neighbor in the chosen direction may be attacked. Meant for large tables; rarely played today.
Informal summary — the official English text below is authoritative.
803.1.Some multiplayer games use the optional attack left or attack right rules.
803.1aIf the attack left option is used, a player can attack only an opponent seated immediately to their left, a planeswalker that player controls, or a battle that player protects. If a player’s nearest opponent to the left is more than one seat away, the player can’t attack.
803.1bIf the attack right option is used, a player can attack only an opponent seated immediately to their right, a planeswalker that player controls, or a battle that player protects. If a player’s nearest opponent to the right is more than one seat away, the player can’t attack.
Source: Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules. Unofficial presentation under the Fan Content Policy. Rules effective as of Sep 25, 2026