Does Goad force a creature to attack even if its controller has no legal attack target other than the goading player?

Goad is defined in CR 701.38. A goaded creature must attack each combat if able, and it must attack a player other than the goading player if able. The key word is if able — both conditions carry that qualifier.

CR 701.38b states: 'Goaded creatures attack each combat if able and attack a player other than the goading player if able.' If the only legal attack targets are the goading player (or planeswalkers/battles they control), the creature is not forced to attack at all, because it cannot satisfy the 'attack a player other than the goading player' condition while also attacking.

In a multiplayer game, the goaded creature must attack one of the other opponents. But in a two-player game, the only opponent is the goading player, so there is no legal alternative target — the creature is not compelled to attack.

Concrete example: In a 1v1 game, you goad your opponent's Grizzly Bears. On their next turn, the only opponent they can attack is you — the goading player. Since there is no legal attack target other than you, the Bears are not forced to attack. The goad has no practical forcing effect in this scenario.

Note that if a goaded creature is legally able to attack a different opponent or their planeswalker, it must do so. The exemption only applies when no such legal alternative exists per CR 701.38 and the general 'must attack if able' rules under CR 508.1.