Can a player attack with zero creatures in multiplayer to still choose who they are attacking?

During the declare attackers step, the active player may declare attackers — but declaring zero attackers simply means no attack is made that combat phase. There is no rule allowing a player to 'attack' a player or planeswalker with zero creatures. An attack only exists if at least one creature is declared as an attacker. (CR 508.1)

In multiplayer games using the 'attack left,' 'attack right,' or 'free-for-all' rules, each attacking creature must be assigned to a specific defending player or planeswalker when it is declared as an attacker (CR 802.4). The choice of 'who to attack' is made per creature — it is not a separate declaration that can exist independently of creatures.

This means there is no way to use a zero-creature 'attack' as a political or strategic signal to choose a defending player without committing any creatures. The declare attackers step simply passes with no attackers, and no defending player is designated for that combat.

Example: It's your turn in a four-player game and you have no creatures on the battlefield. When the declare attackers step begins, you simply pass priority without declaring any attackers. No player is designated as a 'defender' this combat — you cannot say 'I attack Player 3 with zero creatures.'

Referenced rules: CR 508.1 (declaring attackers), CR 802.4 (multiplayer attacking assignments).