--- 6thrules.txt Sat Apr 21 15:27:32 2001 +++ 7thrules.txt Sat Apr 21 17:39:12 2001 @@ -1,223 +1,3 @@ 1. The Game 100. @@ -225,11 +5,11 @@ 100.1. These Magic rules assume a game between two players. Optional rules allow for more players but aren't discussed here. -These can be found at the Wizards of the Coast(r) website at [www.wizards.com]. +These can be found at the Wizards of the Coast(r) website at [www.wizards.com/magic/MTG_Rules.asp]. 100.2. -In constructed-deck play, each player needs his or her own deck of at least sixty cards with no more than four copies of any card except basic lands; small objects to represent any tokens and counters; and some way to clearly track life totals. +In constructed-deck play, each player needs his or her own deck of at least sixty cards with no more than four of any card with a particular English name other than the five basic land cards, of which any number are allowed; small objects to represent any tokens and counters; and some way to clearly track life totals. 100.3. -For sealed-deck or draft play, only forty cards are required in a deck, and a player may use as many copies of a card as he or she has. +For sealed-deck or draft play, only forty cards are required in a deck, and a player may use as many duplicates of a card as he or she has. See the DCI(tm) Magic Floor Rules for more information; they can be found at [www.wizards.com/DCI/UTR_MTG.asp]. 100.4. There is no maximum deck size. @@ -240,9 +20,9 @@ Starting the Game 101.1. At the start of a game, each player shuffles his or her own deck so that the cards are in a random order. -Each player may then cut his or her opponent's deck. +Each player may then shuffle his or her opponent's deck. 101.2. -After the decks have been shuffled, the players determine who will take the first turn, using any mutually agreeable method (flipping a coin, rolling dice, etc.). +After the decks have been shuffled, the players determine who will take the first turn, using any mutually agreeable method (flipping a coin, rolling dice, etc.) In a match of several games, the loser of the previous game decides who will take the first turn. If the previous game was a draw, the person who determined who would take the first turn in the previous game decides. 101.3. @@ -272,7 +52,7 @@ 102.5. If a player would both win and lose simultaneously, he or she loses. 102.6. -If the game somehow "loops," repeating a sequence of events with no way to stop, the game is a draw. +If the game somehow enters a "loop," repeating a sequence of events with no way to stop, the game is a draw. Loops that contain an optional action don't result in a draw. 102.7. A player may concede a game at any time. @@ -284,45 +64,49 @@ If an instruction requires taking an impossible action, it's ignored. (In many cases the card will specify consequences for this; if it doesn't, there's no effect.) 103.2. -When two card contradict each other, the card that states something can't happen takes precedence. -For example, if a card in play states "Players can't gain life" and you play a card that would normally give you life, you don't gain life. -Note that adding and removing characteristics (including abilities) from cards doesn't fall under this rule. +When one effect say something can happen and another says it can't, the "can't" effect wins. +For example, if a static ability reads "Players can't gain life" and you play a card that would normally give you life, you don't gain life. +Note that adding and removing abilities to and from cards doesn't fall under this rule. See rule 407, "Adding and Removing Abilities." 2. Cards 200. General 200.1. -When a rule or card text refers to a "card," it means a Magic card with a Magic card front and the Magic card back. +When a rule or text on a card refers to a "card," it means a Magic card with a Magic card front and the Magic card back. Tokens aren't considered cards-even an Unglued(tm) card that represents a token isn't considered a card for rules purposes. 201. Parts of a Card 201.1. The parts of a card are: name, mana cost, illustration, type, expansion symbol, text box, power/toughness, credit, legal text, and collector number. +Some cards may have more than one of any or all of these characteristics. 202. Name 202.1. The name of a card is printed on its upper-left corner. 202.2. -Card text that refers to that card by name means just that particular copy of the card and not any other copies of it, regardless of any name changes due to game effects. +Card text that refers to that card by name means just that particular card and not any other duplicates of it, regardless of any name changes due to game effects. +Also, if a card has an effect on or grants an ability to another card that includes the first card's name, the name refers only to the card generating the effect or granting the ability, not to duplicates of cards with the same name. 202.3. Two cards are considered to have the same name if the English versions of their names are identical, regardless of anything else printed on the cards. 203. Mana Cost 203.1. The mana cost of a card is indicated by mana symbols printed on its upper-right corner. -Tokens and lands have a mana cost of zero. -Paying a card's mana cost requires matching the color of any colored mana symbols as well as paying the generic mana indicated. +Tokens and lands have no mana cost, so their mana costs and converted mana costs are considered to be zero. +Paying a card's mana cost requires matching the color of any colored mana symbols as well as paying the generic mana cost indicated. 203.2. A card is the color or colors of the mana symbols in its mana cost, regardless of the color of its border. For example, a card with a mana cost oo2oW is white; one with a mana cost of o2oWoB is both white and black. Cards with no colored mana symbols are colorless. +Cards with more than one colored mana symbol in their mana costs are multicolored. +Multicolored cards are printed with a gold frame, but this is not a requirement for a card to be multicolored. 203.3. -The converted mana cost of a card is the total amount of mana in the mana cost, regardless of color (for example, a mana cost of o3oUoU translates to a converted mana cost of 5). -The converted mana cost may be paid with any combination of colored and/or colorless mana. +The converted mana cost of a card is the total amount of mana in the mana cost, regardless of color (for example, a mana cost of o3oUoU translates to a converted mana cost of 5) +The converted mana cost is a generic cost-it may be paid with any combination of colored and/or colorless mana, regardless of the colors in the spell's mana cost. 203.4. Any additional cost listed in a card's rules text isn't part of the mana cost. -(See rule 409, "Playing Spells and Activated Abilities.") +(See rule 409, "Playing Spells and Activated Abilities.") Such costs are paid at the same time as the spell's other costs. 204. Illustration 204.1. @@ -340,24 +124,25 @@ 206.2. The color of the expansion symbol indicates the rarity of the card within its set. A gold symbol signifies the card is rare; silver, uncommon; and black, common or basic land. -(Prior to the Exodus(tm) set, all expansion symbols were black.) +(Prior to the Exodus(tm) set, all expansion symbols were black, regardless of rarity.) 206.3. A spell or ability that affects cards from a particular set "looks" only for that set's expansion symbol. -A card reprinted in the basic set receives the basic set's expansion symbol; the reprinted version of the card no longer counts as part of its original set. +A card reprinted in the basic set receives the basic set's expansion symbol; any reprinted version of the card no longer counts as part of its original set. The first five editions of the basic set had no expansion symbol. 207. Text Box 207.1. The text box is printed on the lower half of the card. -It contains rules text stating what the card does and any special requirements for playing it. +It usually contains rules text stating what the card does and any special requirements for playing it. 207.2. The text box may also contain italicized reminder text (in parentheses and italics) summarizing a rule that applies to that card, and/or italicized flavor text that has no game function but, like the illustration, adds artistic appeal to the game. 208. Power/Toughness 208.1. A creature card has two numbers separated by a slash printed on its lower-right corner. For example, 2/3 means the creature has power 2 and toughness 3. +Power and toughness can be modified or set to particular values by effects. 209. Credit 209.1. @@ -377,25 +162,29 @@ 212. Card Type 212.1. -All cards have one or more types: artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, or sorcery. +All cards have one or more card types: artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, or sorcery. Only one multiple type-artifact creature-currently exists. -Artifact creature satisfies the criteria for any effect that applies to an artifact card or a creature card. +The artifact creature type satisfies the criteria for any effect that applies to an artifact card or a creature card. +A card's type appears below its illustration. 212.2. Some card types include subtypes, printed on the same line. -If more than one word is listed after the "-," the card has each of those subtypes. +The exception is land subtypes (see rule 212.2c) +Creature and artifact creature subtypes appear after a dash that follows their card type. +Enchantment subtypes consist of the word "enchant" and the word(s) that follow it, such as "enchant creature" or "enchant artifact." 212.2a -Creature subtypes are listed after the "Creature," separated by a long dash: "Creature - Minotaur," "Artifact Creature - Golem Legend," etc. -Creature subtypes are one word each and are also called "creature types." Creature cards may have multiple creature types listed. -EXAMPLE: "Creature - Minotaur" means the card has type creature and creature type Minotaur. -(Creature type is a subtype.) "Creature - Goblin Wizard" means the card has type creature and creature types Goblin and Wizard. +Creature subtypes are listed after "Creature," separated by a long dash: "Creature - Minotaur," "Artifact Creature - Golem Legend," etc. +Creature subtypes are one word each and are also called "creature types." Creature cards may have multiple creature types.. +EXAMPLE: "Creature - Minotaur" means the card is a creature with the type Minotaur. +"Creature - Goblin Wizard" means the card is a creature with the types Goblin and Wizard. 212.2b -Enchantment subtypes are listed after the "Enchant," separated by a space: "Enchant Creature," "Enchant Player," etc. -("Enchant World" isn't a type or subtype, but a special category of "Enchantment" found only in sets.) An "Enchantment" card has no enchantment subtype. +Enchantment subtypes consist of the word "enchant" and the word(s) that follow it: "enchant creature," "enchant land," etc. +("enchant world" isn't a type or subtype, but a special category of enchantment found only in some older sets.) A card with the type "enchantment" has no enchantment subtype. An enchantment subtype specifies what the enchantment can be attached to legally. "Local enchantment" and "global enchantment" aren't types or subtypes; they're categories of enchantments. +(Also see rule 214.8.) 212.2c Land subtypes are also called "land type" and are always the same as the name of the land card; they aren't listed on the type line. -A card named "Island" has land type "island"; a card named "Henge of Ramos" has land type "Henge of Ramos." Only basic lands get special abilities just for being a given land type. +A card named "Island" has land type "island"; a card named "Henge of Ramos" has land type "Henge of Ramos." Only lands with a basic land type get abilities just for being a given land type. (See rule 214.9e.) Every land card has one land type listed. "Basic land" and "nonbasic land" aren't types or subtypes; they're categories of land. 212.2d @@ -403,144 +192,198 @@ 213. Spell Type 213.1. -Every card, except land cards, is a spell as it's being played and stops being a spell when it resolves or is countered. -For more information, see rule 401, "Spells." +Every card is a spell while it's being played (see rules 409.1a-409.1f) and while it's on the stack. +The exception is land cards. +Once it's played, a card remains a spell until it resolves or is countered. +For more information, see rule 401. 213.2. -A spell's type is the same as its card type. +A spell's spell type is the same as its card type. 214. Permanent Type 214.1. -A permanent is a card or token that remains in play. +A permanent is a card or token in play. +Permanents stay in play unless moved to another zone by an effect or rule. There are four types of permanents: artifacts, creatures, enchantments, and lands. 214.2. A nontoken permanent's type(s) and subtype(s) are the same as those printed on its card. A token's type(s) and subtype(s) are set by the spell or ability that created it. 214.3. A card becomes a permanent when it comes into play and stops being a permanent when it leaves play. -The term "card" or "spell" is often used to refer to a card that's not in play, such as a creature card in a player's hand. +The term "card" is often used to refer to a card that's not in play, such as a creature card in a player's hand. +"Spell" is often used to refer to a card while it's on the stack. +"Spell card" is used to refer to cards that aren't in play and aren't land cards. For more information, see rule 217, "Zones." 214.4. This changes only the permanent type-the card type doesn't change. Counters, effects, and damage affecting the permanent remain with it, even if they are meaningless to the new type. +214.4a +Some effects change a permanent's type or subtype but specify that the permanent retains a prior type or subtype. +In such cases, the retained type isn't replaced, but any other types the permanent has are replaced.. +EXAMPLE: An ability reads, "All lands are 1/1 creatures that are still lands." The affected lands now have two types: creature and land. +If there were any lands that also had the artifact type before the ability's effect applied to them, those lands would become "land creatures," not "artifact land creatures." The effect allows them to retain the land type, but wipes out the artifact type. +214.4b +If a permanent's type changes, the subtype of its old permanent type don't exist in any way under the new type. +The subtype disappears completely for the entire time the card's permanent type is changed. +This does not override the rule that a permanent retains its legendary status when its type changes (see rule 215.2) 214.5. -The initial value of a permanent's characteristic is the value printed on the card or specified by the spell or ability that create the token or changed the type of the permanent. -Using a type-changing ability that says it changes a characteristic changes the initial values of characteristics stated in the ability's text, not the current values. -Continuous effects that don't change the type of a permanent affect current values of characteristics and can override characteristics set by type-changing abilities. +The initial value of a permanent's characteristic is the value printed on the card or specified by the spell or ability that created the token or changed the type of the permanent. +A permanent-type-changing ability that changes one or more characteristics changes the initial values of characteristics stated in the ability's text, not the current values. +Continuous effects that don't change a permanent's type affect current values of characteristics and can override characteristics set by type-changing abilities.. EXAMPLE: A player plays an artifact's ability that reads "2: This permanent is a 3/2 artifact creature." Later in the turn, the artifact creature is affected by an ability that reads "Target creature is 0/2." At this point, playing the ability of the artifact again won't do anything; because the type-changing ability changes characteristics at the initial level, it can't override the effect. The artifact creature remains 0/2. 214.6. Artifacts 214.6a -Artifacts have no special characteristics. -Artifact spells are colorless, although other spells or abilities might confer a color. +Artifacts have no characteristics specific to their type. +Because artifact spells have no colored mana in their mana costs, they're colorless, and the permanents they create are also colorless. +Effects can give artifact spells or artifacts one or more colors, however. 214.6b -Artifact creatures combine the characteristics of both the creature and artifact subtypes and are subject to spells and abilities that affect both. +Artifact creatures combine the characteristics of both the creature and artifact types and are subject to spells and abilities that affect either or both types. 214.7. Creatures 214.7a -If a card instruction requires choosing a creature subtype, this may be any noun (even if the creature doesn't exist in Magic), but only one. -A word that has some other Magic meaning isn't a valid choice, because that would cause confusion. +If a card instruction requires choosing a creature subtype, this may be any noun (even if that creature type doesn't exist in Magic), but only one. +Any existing creature type is a valid choice, even if the creature's type is the same as its name. +A word that has some other Magic meaning isn't a valid choice, because that would cause confusion.. EXAMPLE: Merfolk or Wizard is acceptable, but not Merfolk Wizard. -Words like "opponent" or "swamp" can't be chosen because they have other meanings in the game. +Words like "opponent," "swamp," or "kindle" can't be chosen because they have other meanings in the game. 214.7b EXAMPLE: Ogre, Ogres, Ogress, and Ogresses all count as the same creature type-Ogre. 214.8. Enchantments 214.8a -A global enchantment simply reads "Enchantment" as its type. +A global enchantment simply has "enchantment" as its type. Local enchantments comprise various subtypes: enchant artifact, enchant creature, enchant enchantment, enchant land, and enchant permanent. 214.8b -A global enchantment is put into play like any other spell that creates a permanent. +A global enchantment is put into play on the side of the player who controlled the spell that created it, like any other spell that creates a permanent. 214.8c A local enchantment spell requires a target, whose type is indicated by the enchantment subtype. The local enchantment permanent the spell puts into play must enchant that type of permanent and comes into play attached to the permanent the spell targeted. -Additional restrictions are indicated by the phrase "Play [card] only on [permanent type]." These restrictions apply to both playing the spell and to the permanent created by the spell. +Additional targeting requirements are indicated by the phrase "[This card] can enchant only a [permanent with specified characteristics]." These restrictions apply to playing the spell, and they become restrictions on what the resulting permanent can enchant. +Similar restrictions can limit what a permanent can be enchanted by. +For example, a permanent might have an ability that reads, "[This card]" can't be enchanted by [local enchantment with specified characteristics]". EXAMPLE: An enchant creature spell requires a target creature; a creature enchantment in play must enchant a creature. (See rules 420.5d and 214.8g.) 214.8d As part of playing a local enchantment spell, the player announces the spell's target. -If a local enchantment is coming into play through any other means, the player putting it into play chooses a permanent for it to enchant before it can enter play. -If no legal permanent is available, the enchantment remains in the zone that it attempted to move from. +If a local enchantment is coming into play by any other means, the player putting it into play chooses a permanent for it to enchant as it comes into play. +In this case, the enchantment doesn't target the permanent, but the player still must choose a permanent that the enchantment can enchant. +If no legal permanent is available, the enchantment remains in the zone from which it attempted to move instead of coming into play. +The same rule applies to moving a local enchantment from one permanent to another. +The permanent to which the enchantment is to be moved must be able to be enchanted by it. +If it isn't legal, the enchantment doesn't move. 214.8e -If a local enchantment ends up enchanting an illegal permanent or the permanent it was attached to no longer exists, the enchantment card is put into its owner's graveyard. +If a local enchantment is enchanting an illegal permanent or the permanent it was attached to no longer exists, the enchantment card is put into its owner's graveyard. This is a state-based effect. (See rule 420, "State-Based Effects.") 214.8f A local enchantment can't be attached to itself. +If this occurs somehow, the local enchantment is put into its owner's graveyard as a state-based effect (see rule 420.5d) 214.8g -The permanent a local enchantment is attached to is called "enchanted." The enchantment "enchants" that permanent. +The permanent a local enchantment is attached to is called "enchanted." The enchantment "enchants" or, in explanatory contexts, "is attached to" that permanent. 214.8h -The abilities of local enchantments don't target the enchanted permanent unless they're activated abilities that can target something. +Local enchantments' abilities don't target the permanents they enchant unless they state they can target it. +Only the enchantment spell targets the permanent it will enchant; the resulting permanent doesn't continue to target it after the enchantment spell resolves. +If a permanent "can't be enchanted" in general or by enchantments with specified characteristics, it also can't be the target of a spell that would enchant it with such an enchantment. 214.8i -The controller of a local enchantment is separate from the controller of the enchanted permanent. +A local enchantment's controller is separate from the enchanted permanent's controller; the two need not be the same. Changing control of the permanent doesn't change control of the enchantment, and vice versa. Only the enchantment's controller can play its abilities. -However, if the enchantment adds an ability to the enchanted permanent, that enchanted permanent's controller is the only one who can play that ability. -214.9. +However, if the enchantment adds an ability to the enchanted permanent (with "gains" or "has"), that enchanted permanent's controller is the only one who can play that ability. +214.8j +Local enchantments generate their effects only if the enchanted permanent matches the characteristics in the enchantment's subtype without considering the enchantment's own effect.. +EXAMPLE: 214.9. Lands 214.9a -A land card isn't a spell card. -It's put directly into play. +A land card isn't a spell card, and at no time is it a spell. +When a player plays a land card, it's simply put into play. +The land card doesn't go on the stack, so players can't respond to it with instants or activated abilities. 214.9b -A player may normally play only one land card during each of his or her own turns. +A player may normally play only one land card during each of his or her own turns, only during a main phase, and only when the stack is empty. Spells and abilities may allow playing additional lands; doing so doesn't prevent a player from taking the normal action of playing a land. -As a player plays a land, he or she announces if he or she is playing his or her normal land or using an ability. +Players can't begin to play a land that's prohibited from being played by an effect. +As a player plays a land, he or she announces whether he or she is using the once-per-turn action of playing a land. +If not, he or she specifies which effect is allowing the additional land play. Spells and abilities may also allow you to put lands into play. This isn't the same as "playing a land" and doesn't count toward the player's one land played during his or her turn. 214.9c A land card is one of two categories: basic and nonbasic. Basic and nonbasic are not types or subtypes. 214.9d -The basic lands are plains, island, swamp, mountain, and forest. +The basic land types are plains, island, swamp, mountain, and forest. +A land with one of these words as its name is a basic land. +Other lands can state that they are or count as basic lands. +A land that has one or more basic land types is not necessarily a basic land, but a land that has only basic types is basic. +Moreoever, the name of a land with a single land type that's basic becomes that basic land-type word.. +EXAMPLE: Taiga is a land with the following text in its text box: "Taiga is a mountain and a forest in addition to its type." Even though Taiga has two basic land types, it's not a basic land, because (a) its name doesn't match a basic land type word, and (b) it doesn't specify that it's basic. 214.9e -A basic land has an intrinsic ability to produce colored mana. +A land with a basic type has an intrinsic ability to produce colored mana. (See rule 406.1, "Mana Abilities.") The card is treated as if its text box read, "ocT: Add [mana symbol] to your mana pool" even if the text box doesn't actually contain text. Plains produce white mana; islands, blue; swamps, black; mountains, red; and forests, green. -If a card becomes a basic land, this text replaces all other text on the card. +These intrinsic mana abilities replace all other text on the card for as long as the card has only basic land types. 214.9f If an effect changes a permanent into a basic land, the permanent is no longer its old land type and has only the mana ability of that basic land. -It now counts as a basic land. +It is now a basic land, and its name is that basic land's name. If that land was "Legendary," it is no longer. +This rule applies only to lands that become basic, not to nonbasic lands that gain basic types. 214.9g Any land that isn't a basic land is a nonbasic land. Even if its rules text or a game effect states that it "counts as" a basic land type, it is still nonbasic. Basic and nonbasic are not types; they're categories. 214.9h -Nonbasic lands don't necessarily have mana abilities. +Unlike basic lands and lands that have one or more basic types, nonbasic lands don't necessarily have mana abilities. 215. Legends and Legendary Types 215.1. -The word "Legend" or "Legendary" may be added to a card type or subtype. +The word "Legend" or "Legendary" may appear in a card's type or subtype. This means that the permanent created when that card enters play is subject to the Legend rule (see rule 420, "State-Based Effects") as well as the rules for its type and subtype. 215.2. In other words, they mean the same thing, except that one refers to creatures and the other to noncreatures. +215.2a. +If an effect makes a non-Legend creature into a Legend, and the creature then becomes another permanent type, such as an enchantment, the resulting permanent will not be legendary. 216. Tokens 216.1. Some spells and abilities put a token creature into play. The token is controlled by whoever put it into play and owned by the controller of the spell or ability that created it. -The rules text of the spell or ability defines the initial characteristics of the token it creates. +The rules text of the spell or ability may define any number of characteristics for the token. +These are the token permanent's initial values. +A token doesn't have any characteristics not defined by the spell or ability that created it. A token's name is its creature type unless otherwise specified; for example, the creature type of a Goblin token is Goblin. Once a token is in play, changing its name doesn't change its creature type, and vice versa. 216.2. -A token is subject to anything that affects permanents in general or the token's type or subtype. +A token is subject to anything that affects permanents in general or that affects the token's type or subtype. A token isn't considered a card (even if represented by cards from other games or Unglued token cards) and isn't subject to any effect that specifically uses the word "card." 216.3. A token in a zone other than the in-play zone ceases to exist. This is a state-based effect. -(Note that a token changing zones will set off triggered abilities before the token ceases to exist.) +(Note that a token changing zones will set off triggered abilities before the token ceases to exist.) Once a token has left play, it can't be returned to play by any means. 217. Zones 217.1. A zone is a place that Magic cards can be during a game. There are six basic zones: library, hand, graveyard, in play, stack, and removed from the game. -Each player has his or her own copy of each zone, except for the in-play and stack zones, which are shared. +Each player has his or her own set of zones, except for the in-play and stack zones, which are shared. +217.1a +If a card would go to any library, graveyard, or hand other than its owner's, it goes to the corresponding zone of its owner's instead. +217.1b +The order of cards in a library or graveyard, or on the stack, can't be changed except when effects allow it. +Cards in other zones can be arranged however their owner wishes, although who controls them, whether they're tapped, and what enchants them must remain clear to both players. +217.1c +A card that moves from one zone to another is treated as a new card. +Effects connected with its previous location expire. +There are two exceptions to this rule: Effects that edit the characteristics of a spell on the stack will continue to apply to the permanent that spell creates, and abilities that trigger when a card moves from one zone to another (for example, "When Rancor is put into a graveyard from play") can "track" the card across zones for purposes of applying their effects. +217.1d +If a card or permanent would move from one zone to another, first determine what event is moving the card. +Then apply any appropriate replacement effects to that event. +If an effect tries to do two or more contradictory or mutually exclusive things to a particular card or permanent, that card or permanent's controller-or its owner if it has no controller-chooses what the effect does to the card or permanent. +Then the event moves the card or permanent. 217.2. Library 217.2a @@ -549,9 +392,10 @@ Each library must be kept in a single face-down pile. Players can't look at or change the order of cards in a library. 217.2c -A player may count the number of cards remaining in either player's library at any time. +Any player may count the number of cards remaining in either player's library at any time. 217.2d If an effect puts two or more cards into the same library at the same time, the owner of those cards may arrange them in any order. +That library's owner doesn't reveal the order in which the cards go into his or her library. 217.3. Hand 217.3a @@ -580,37 +424,40 @@ The in-play zone starts out empty. Cards a player controls (other than local enchantments enchanting the other player's permanents) are kept in front of him or her. 217.5b -A spell or ability affects only the in-play zone unless it specifically mentions another zone. +A spell or ability affects only the in-play zone unless it specifically mentions a player or another zone. Permanents exist only in the in-play zone. +Only permanents are legal targets for spells and abilities, unless a spell or ability (a) specifies that it can target a player or a card in another zone, or (b) affects an object that can't exist in the in-play zone. 217.5c -Whenever a card enters the in-play zone, it's a brand-new permanent as far as the game is concerned and has no relationship to any previous permanent represented by the same card. +Whenever a card enters the in-play zone, it's a brand-new permanent as far as the game is concerned and has no relationship to any previous permanent represented by the same card (see rule 217.8.) 217.5d -A card outside the in-play zone isn't "in play" and isn't considered tapped or untapped and isn't controlled by either player. +A card not in the in-play zone isn't "in play" and isn't considered tapped or untapped. +Cards that aren't either in play or on the stack aren't controlled by either player. 217.6. Stack 217.6a When a spell or ability is played, it goes on top of the stack and waits to resolve. The stack keeps track of the order that spells and/or abilities were added to it. -See rule 408, "Timing of Spells and Abilities." +(See rules 408 and 409.1.) 217.6b -A spell card is played face up in the stack zone, and other spells or abilities played in response are "stacked" on top of it. -Abilities in the stack are represented by imaginary cards called pseudospells. -A pseudospell has the color of the permanent that created it, as well as the text of the ability, and is controlled by the player who played the ability. +When a spell is played, it goes on the stack face up. +Other spells or abilities played in response go on top of it. +Abilities that go on the stack are represented by imaginary cards called pseudospells. +Each pseudospell from an activated ability has the color of the permanent that created it, as well as the text of the ability, and is controlled by the player who played the ability. +For each pseudospell from a triggered ability, its controller is the player who controlled the ability's source when it triggered. 217.6c -When both players decline to add a spell or ability to the stack, the top (last-played) spell or ability resolves. +When both players pass in succession, the top (last-played) spell or ability resolves. +If the stack is empty when both players pass, the current step or phase ends and the next begins. 217.7. Removed from the Game 217.7a -A spell or ability can remove a card from the game. -Some spells or abilities may provide a way for the card to return to play and use the term "set aside." Cards that are set aside this way are still removed from the game, even if temporarily. +Effects can remove cards from the game. +Some effects may provide a way for the card to return to play and use the term "set aside." Cards that are set aside this way are still removed from the game, even if temporarily. 217.7b Cards in the removed-from-the-game zone are kept face up and may be examined by either player at any time. Cards "removed from the game face down" can't be examined by either player except when instructions allow it. 217.7c Cards that might return to play should be kept in separate piles to keep track of their respective ways of returning. Cards with no way of returning may be kept in one pile for each player, regardless of what removed them. -217.8. -Whenever a card moves from one zone to another, it is treated as a new copy of that card (effects connected to its previous existence expire) with the exception that effects editing a spell in the stack will continue to apply to the permanent that spell becomes. 3. Turn Structure 300. @@ -618,7 +465,7 @@ 300.1. A turn consists of five phases, in this order: beginning, first main, combat, second main, and end. Each of these phases takes place every turn, even if nothing happens during the phase. -The beginning, combat, and end phases are further broken down into steps, which are followed in order. +The beginning, combat, and end phases are further broken down into steps, which proceed in order. 300.2. A phase or step ends when the stack is empty and both players pass in succession. No game events can occur between turns, phases, or steps. @@ -627,6 +474,7 @@ 300.3. When a phase or step ends, any effects scheduled to last "until the end of" that phase or step expire. When a phase or step begins, any effects scheduled to last "until" that phase or step expire. +Effects that last "until end of turn" are subject to special rules; see rule 314.1b. 300.4. When a phase ends (but not a step), any unused mana left in a player's mana pool is lost. That player loses 1 life for each one mana lost this way. @@ -634,10 +482,10 @@ Note that mana burn is loss of life, not damage, so it can't be prevented or altered by effects that affect damage. (See rule 406.1, "Mana Abilities.") 300.5. -When a phase or step begins, any triggered abilities "at the beginning of" that phase or step are added to the stack. +When a phase or step begins, any abilities that trigger "at the beginning of" that phase or step are added to the stack. 300.6. Some spells or abilities can give a player additional turns. -If a player has multiple additional turns or if both players have additional turns, the additional turns are taken in the order they were created. +If a player gets multiple additional turns or if both players get additional turns during a single turn, the additional turns are taken in the order they were created. 301. Beginning Phase 301.1. @@ -647,6 +495,7 @@ 302.1. First, the active player determines which permanents he or she controls will untap. (Normally they all do, but effects may modify this.) Then he or she untaps them all simultaneously. +Effects can keep one or more of a player's permanents from untapping normally. 302.2. No player receives priority during the untap step, so no spells or abilities can be played or resolved. Any ability that triggers during this step will be held until a player receives priority during the upkeep step. @@ -654,48 +503,54 @@ 303. Upkeep Step 303.1. -The upkeep step begins with the active player having priority. -Any abilities that triggered during the untap step, as well as abilities that trigger at the beginning of upkeep, go on the stack. -Upkeep-triggered abilities use the phrase "At the beginning of your upkeep" or similar wording. -(See rule 404, "Triggered Abilities.") Then players may play spells and abilities. +As the upkeep step begins, any abilities that trigger at the beginning of that upkeep step or that turn's untap step go on the stack. +(Upkeep-triggered abilities use the phrase "At the beginning of your upkeep" or a similar wording; see rule 404.) Once all such abilities have gone onto the stack, the active player gets priority. +Then players may play spells and abilities. 304. Draw Step 304.1. -The draw step begins with the active player having priority. -"Draw a card" is placed on the stack, just as if a card read "At the beginning of your draw step, draw a card." Then players may play spells and abilities. +As the draw step begins, any abilities that trigger at the beginning of the draw step go on the stack. +(Draw-step-triggered abilities use the phrase "At the beginning of your draw step" or a similar wording; see rule 404.) Then the draw step action, the active player drawing a card, goes on the stack. +This happens just as if the "draw your card for this turn" action were a played ability. +Then the active player gets priority, and players may play spells and abilities. 305. Main Phase 305.1. There are two main phases in a turn. -The first main phase, known as the precombat main phase, and second main phase, known as the postcombat main phase, are separated by the combat phase (see rule 306, "Combat Phase") and are collectively known as the "main phase." +In each turn, the first main phase, known as the precombat main phase, and second main phase, known as the postcombat main phase, are separated by the combat phase (see rule 306) +The precombat and postcombat main phases are individually and collectively known as the "main phase." 305.2. -The main phase has no steps. -305.3.The main phase begins with the active player having priority. -After triggered abilities (if any) are added to the stack, players may play spells and abilities. -(This is the only phase in which a player can normally play artifact, creature, enchantment, and sorcery spells and only the active player may play these spells.) +The main phase has no steps, so it ends when both players pass in succession while the stack is empty. +305.3. +As the main phase begins, any abilities that trigger at the beginning of that main phase go on the stack. +(Main-phase-triggered abilities use the phrase "At the beginning of your main phase" or a similar wording; see rule 404.) Then the active player gets priority, and players may play spells and abilities. +(This is the only phase in which a player can normally play artifact, creature, enchantment, and sorcery spells, and only the active player may play these spells.) 305.4. During either main phase, the active player may play one land from his or her hand if the stack is empty, the player has priority, and he or she hasn't yet taken this special action this turn. -(See rule 214.9, "Lands.") +(See rule 214.9, "Lands.") This action doesn't use the stack and it isn't a spell or ability of any kind. +It can't be countered or responded to with instants or activated abilities. 306. Combat Phase 306.1. -The combat phase has five steps: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat. +The combat phase has five steps, which proceed in order: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat. +The declare blockers and combat damage steps are skipped if no creatures are declared as attackers; see rule 308.4. 306.2. -A creature is removed from combat if it stops being a creature or its controller changes. +A creature is removed from combat if it stops being a creature (as a result of leaving play by any means, such as by being destroyed or removed from the game, for example), if it regenerates (see rule 419.6b), or if its controller changes. "Removed from combat" means the creature stops being an attacking, blocking, blocked, and/or unblocked creature. -Once it's declared as an attacker or blocker, tapping or untapping a creature doesn't remove it from combat or prevent it from dealing combat damage. -Neither does playing a spell or ability that, if played earlier, would have prevented it from attacking or blocking. +Once a creature has been declared as an attacking or blocking creature, spells or abilities that would have kept that creature from attacking or blocking don't remove the creature from combat. 307. Beginning of Combat Step 307.1. -After triggered abilities (if any) are added to the stack, the active player receives priority to play spells and abilities when the step begins. +As this step begins, triggered abilities (if any) are added to the stack, and then the active player gets priority to play spells and abilities. 308. Declare Attackers Step 308.1. The active player declares which, if any, creatures he or she controls are attacking. -Tapped creatures (even those that can attack without tapping), Walls, creatures that the active player didn't control continuously since the beginning of the turn, and noncreature permanents can't be declared as attackers. +Only creatures can attack, and the following creatures can't attack: tapped creatures (even those that can attack without tapping), Walls, and creatures the active player didn't control continuously since the beginning of the turn. This declaration is simultaneous, not sequential, and doesn't go on the stack. Any triggered ability generated during this action waits until a player receives priority. +308.1a +A creature is said to be attacking alone if it's the sole creature declared as an attacker in a given combat phase. 308.2. The active player determines whether the attack is legal. (See section 5, "Additional Combat Rules.") If it is, he or she pays all required costs. @@ -706,10 +561,11 @@ Then the active player redeclares attacking creatures. (See rule 422, "Handling Illegal Actions.") 308.4. -If no creatures are declared as attackers, the game proceeds directly to the end of combat step, skipping the remainder of the declare attackers step and the intervening steps. +If no creatures are declared as attackers, the game proceeds directly to the end of combat step, skipping the remainder of the declare attackers step as well as the entire declare blockers and combat damage steps. 308.5. A creature becomes an attacking creature when declared as part of a legal attack and all attack costs have been paid. -It remains an attacking creature until it's removed from combat or the combat phase ends. +It remains an attacking creature until it's removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first. +The nonactive player is considered to have been attacked that turn at this time if one or more creatures areattacking. 308.6. After a legal attack has been declared and all required costs paid, the active player receives priority to play spells and abilities. 309. @@ -720,20 +576,22 @@ Each creature may block only one attacking creature, though any number of creatures may block the same attacking creature. (Note that blocking doesn't cause a creature to tap.) This declaration is simultaneous, not sequential, and doesn't go on the stack. Any triggered ability generated during this action waits until a player receives priority. +308.1a +A creature is said to be blocking alone if it's the sole creature declared as a blocker in a given combat phase. 309.2. The defending player determines whether the block is legal. (See section 5, "Additional Combat Rules.") If it is, he or she pays all required costs. -A player may play mana abilities at this time only if a blocking cost includes a mana payment. +A player may play mana abilities at this time only if a blocking cost that player could pay includes a mana payment. 309.2a. If the proposed block isn't legal or the defending player can't pay all required costs, all actions described in rules 309.1 and 309.2 are canceled. Then the defending player redeclares blocking creatures. (See rule 422, "Handling Illegal Actions.") 309.3. A creature becomes a blocking creature when declared as part of a legal block and all block costs have been paid. -An attacking creature with one or more creatures declared as blockers against it becomes a blocked creature; one with no blockers becomes an unblocked creature. -The creature's status remains unchanged until the creature is removed from combat or the combat phase ends. +An attacking creature with one or more creatures declared as blockers for it becomes a blocked creature; one with no blockers becomes an unblocked creature. +The creature's status remains unchanged until the creature is removed from combat or the combat phase ends, whichever comes first. 309.4. -Once a creature has been declared as a blocker, playing a spell or ability that removes it from combat doesn't "unblock" creatures it was blocking. +Once a creature has been declared as a blocker, the block can't be "undone" by playing a spell or ability that removes it from combat, that makes the attacking creature unblockable, or that would have made the blocker unable to block earlier. 309.5. After all legal blocks have been declared and all required costs paid, the active player receives priority to play spells and abilities. 310. @@ -742,7 +600,7 @@ First the active player announces how each attacking creature will assign its combat damage. Then the defending player announces how each blocking creature will assign its combat damage. (See also rule 502.2, "First Strike.") A player may divide a creature's combat damage as he or she chooses among the legal recipients. 310.1a Each attacking creature and each blocking creature will assign combat damage equal to its power. 310.1b @@ -751,17 +609,17 @@ A blocked creature will assign combat damage, divided as its controller chooses, to the creatures blocking it. If no creatures are currently blocking it (if, for example, they were destroyed or removed from combat), it will assign no combat damage. 310.1d -A blocking creature will assign combat damage, divided as its controller chooses, to the attacking creatures it's blocking. +A blocking creature will assign combat damage, divided as its controller chooses (no fractions), to the attacking creatures it's blocking. If it isn't currently blocking any creatures (if, for example, they were destroyed or removed from combat), it will assign no combat damage. 310.2. -All announcements of combat damage go on the stack as a single entry. +All assignments of combat damage go on the stack as a single entry. Then the active player receives priority to play spells and abilities. 310.3. -Assigning combat damage isn't a spell or ability, so it can't be countered. +Although combat-damage assignments go on the stack, they're aren't a spell or ability, so they can't be countered. 310.4. When the combat damage resolves, it's dealt as originally assigned. This happens even if the creature dealing damage is no longer in play or has its power changed or if the creature receiving damage has left combat. -(Note that the source of the damage is the creature as it currently exists, or as it most recently existed if it is no longer in play.) If a creature that was supposed to receive damage is no longer in play, the damage assigned to it isn't dealt. +(Note that the source of the damage is the creature as it currently exists, or as it most recently existed if it is no longer in play.) If a creature that was supposed to receive damage is no longer in play or is no longer a creature, the damage assigned to it isn't dealt. 311. End of Combat Step 311.1. @@ -775,9 +633,11 @@ End of Turn Step 313.1. The end of turn step begins with the active player having priority. -All "at end of turn" abilities trigger and go on the stack. +All "at end of turn"-triggered abilities trigger and go on the stack. Then players may play spells and abilities. - +313.2. +If "at end of turn"-triggered abilities are created, or if cards with "at end of turn"-triggered abilities come into play after preexisting ones have already gone on the stack at the beginning of the end of turn step, those abilities won't go on the stack until the next turn's end phase. +In other words, the step doesn't "back up" so new "at end of turn"-triggered abilities can go on the stack. 314. Cleanup Step 314.1. @@ -797,74 +657,100 @@ 400. General 400.1. -The difference between an ability and an effect is that text in a card's text box is an ability (except for text setting characteristics), and following the instructions of that text generates an effect. +An ability is text in a card's text box that generates an effect. +Reminder text, flavor text, characteristic-setting text, and instruction text are not abilities. +Instruction text is any text that is not any of the following: reminder text, flavor text, characteristic-setting text, activated ability, triggered ability, or static ability. +Abilities generate effects only from the in-play zone unless they state otherwise. Text itself is never an effect. +Spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities generate effects when they resolve. +Static abilities generate continuous effects. 401. Spells 401.1. A spell is a card on the stack. -As the first step of being "played," the card becomes a spell and goes on the stack. -(See rule 217.6, "Stack.") It stops being a spell when it resolves (see rule 413.2) or is countered (see rule 414). +As the first step of being played, the card becomes a spell and goes on the stack from the zone from which it was played (usually the player's hand) +(See rule 217.6, "Stack.") It stops being a spell when it resolves (see rule 413.2), is countered (see rule 414), or leaves the stack. 401.2. Each card type other than land has a corresponding spell type. -For example, a creature card is a creature spell until it resolves. +For example, a played creature card is a creature spell until it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack. +An instant or sorcery is targeted if it uses the phrase "target [something]" in its spell text, where the "something" is a phrase that describes a permanent, spell, ability, card, or player. +Also, local enchantment spells target the permanent they will enchant. 401.3. As the final part of an instant or sorcery spell's resolution, the card is put into its owner's graveyard. -As the final part of an artifact, creature, or enchantment spell's resolution, the card becomes a permanent and is put into the in-play zone. +As the final part of an artifact, creature, or enchantment spell's resolution, the card becomes a permanent and is put into the in-play zone under the control of the spell's controller. If any spell is countered, the card is put into its owner's graveyard as part of the resolution of the countering spell or ability. (See rule 413, "Resolving Spells and Abilities.") 402. Abilities 402.1. -An instruction in a card's text is an ability. +An ability is instruction in a card's text that's not reminder text, flavor text, characteristic-setting text, or instruction text (see rule 400.1) The result of following such an instruction or of following a spell's text is an effect. -(See rule 416, "Effects.") +(See rule 416, "Effects.") Abilities can affect the cards they're on; they can also affect other cards and/or players. +Abilities can grant abilities to other cards or to the cards they're on. +They do so when the words "has," "have," "gains," or "gain" are used. 402.2. Abilities can be beneficial or detrimental-for example, "[This creature] can't block" is an ability. 402.3. Text on a card stating that the card "is" or "counts as" a particular type or color isn't an ability. Such statements apply no matter what zone the card is in and aren't removed by effects that cause a permanent to lose its abilities. +This rule applies only to text that states a card's type or color, not to other characteristic-setting text. 402.4. An additional cost or alternative cost to play a card isn't an ability of the card. +Such text is instruction text. 402.5. An ability isn't a spell and therefore can't be countered by anything that counters only spells. +Abilities can be countered by effects that specifically counter abilities, as well as by the rules (for example, an ability is countered if all its targets become illegal) 402.6. -Once activated or triggered, an ability exists independently of its source (the card on which it's printed). +Once activated or triggered, an ability exists independently of its source (the card on which it's printed) as a pseudospell on the stack. Destruction or removal of the source after that time won't affect the ability. -Note that some abilities make a source do something (for example, "Prodigal Sorcerer deals 1 damage to target creature or player.") rather than the ability do the something directly. -In these cases anything that cares about characteristics of the source will check the source's characteristics at the ability's resolution or the last known characteristics if the source is no longer in play. +Note that some abilities cause a source to do something (for example, "Prodigal Sorcerer deals 1 damage to target creature or player.") rather than the ability doing anything directly. +In these cases, any spell or activated or triggered ability that references information about the source will check that information when the ability resolves, or will use the source's last known information if it's no longer in play. 402.7. A card may have several abilities. -A card may also have multiple copies of the same ability. -Each copy functions independently. -This may or may not produce more effects than a single copy; refer to the specific ability for more information. +A card may also have multiple instances of the same ability. +Each instance functions independently. +This may or may not produce more effects than a single instance; refer to the specific ability for more information. 402.9. Some cards have abilities that can be played when the card's not in play. -These are clearly marked; for example, "Play only when [this card] is in your graveyard." They're not abilities of any class of permanent, just card abilities-cards not in play aren't permanents. +These are clearly marked; for example, "Play only when [this card] is in your graveyard." They're not abilities of any particular permanent type-cards not in play aren't permanents. 402.10. There are three general types of abilities: activated, triggered, and static. +Mana abilities are an ability subtype. +Abilities can generate one-shot effects or continuous effects. +Replacement effects and prevention effects are effect subtypes. +An activated or triggered ability is targeted if it uses the phrase "target [something]" in its text, where the "something" is a phrase that describes a permanent, spell, ability, card, or player. 403. Activated Abilities 403.1. -An activated ability can exist in one of three places: on a permanent; on a card outside the in-play zone with the text "Play this ability only if [this card] is in [zone]; or as a delayed ability. -An activated ability that isn't from a delayed ability is written as "cost: effect." The activation cost is everything before the colon (:). -An activated ability that's from a delayed ability is written as "[Player] may pay [cost] to [effect]." In both cases the activation cost must be paid to play the ability. +An activated ability can exist in one of two places: on a permanent or on a card outside the in-play zone with the text "Play this ability only if [this card] is in [zone]. +An activated ability is written as "cost: effect." The activation cost is everything before the colon (:) +The ability's controller must pay its activation cost to play it. 403.2. Only a permanent's controller can play its activated ability unless the card specifically says otherwise. 403.3. -If an activated ability has a restriction on its use (for example, "Play this ability only once each turn"), the restriction continues to apply to that permanent even if its controller changes. +If an activated ability has a restriction on its use (for example, "Play this ability only once each turn" or "Spend no more than oR this way each turn"), the restriction continues to apply to that permanent even if its controller changes. 404. Triggered Abilities 404.1. A triggered ability begins with the word "when," "whenever," or "at." The phrase containing one of these words is the trigger condition, which defines the trigger event. +A delayed triggered ability will also contain one of these three words, although it won't usually begin the ability. 404.2. Triggered abilities aren't played. Instead, they automatically "trigger" each time their trigger event occurs. Once an ability has triggered, it goes on the stack the next time a player receives priority. +404.3. +A triggered ability may read "When(ever)/At ... +, if ... +, [action]." The ability checks for the stated condition to be true when the trigger event occurs. +If it is, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. +On resolution, the ability rechecks the condition. +If the condition isn't true at either of those times, the ability does nothing. +This rule is referred to as the "intervening 'if' clause" rule. +Note that the word "if" has only its normal English meaning anywhere else in the text of a card; this rule only applies to an "if" that immediately follows the trigger condition. 405. Static Abilities 405.1. @@ -873,9 +759,9 @@ 406. Ability Subtypes 406.1a -A mana ability is an activated ability that puts mana into a player's mana pool when it resolves or a triggered ability that triggers from an activated mana ability and produces additional mana. +A mana ability is either an activated ability that puts mana into a player's mana pool when it resolves or a triggered ability that triggers from an activated mana ability and produces additional mana. It can generate other effects at the same time it produces mana. 406.1b Spells that put mana into a player's mana pool aren't mana abilities. @@ -883,36 +769,35 @@ Triggered abilities that put mana into a player's mana pool but trigger from events other than activating mana abilities aren't mana abilities. They go on the stack and resolve like any other triggered ability. 406.1c -A mana ability exists even if the game state doesn't allow it to produce mana. -EXAMPLE: A card has an ability that reads, "ocT: Add oG to your mana pool for each creature you control." This is still a mana ability even if you control no creatures. +A mana ability remains a mana ability even if the game state doesn't allow it to produce mana.. +EXAMPLE: A card has an ability that reads, "ocT: Add oG to your mana pool for each creature you control." This is still a mana ability even if you control no creatures, or if the card is already tapped. 406.1d A mana ability can be activated or triggered. -However, the rules for playing and resolving mana abilities differ slightly from those for other abilities. +However, the rules for playing and resolving mana abilities differ slightly from those for playing other abilities. See rule 411, "Playing Mana Abilities," for details. 406.1e -The ability resolves immediately, without going on the stack. -(See rule 408.2, "Actions That Don't Use the Stack.") Abilities that trigger on playing mana abilities do go on the stack, however. +Mana abilities are played and resolve like other abilities, but they don't go on the stack, so they can't be countered or responded to. +(See rule 408.2, "Actions That Don't Use the Stack.") Abilities (other than mana abilities) that trigger on playing mana abilities do go on the stack, however. 406.2. -Delayed Abilities +Delayed Triggered Abilities. 406.2a -An effect may create a delayed ability that can do something at a later time. -Delayed abilities can be activated or triggered. +An effect may create a delayed triggered ability that can do something at a later time. 406.2b -If a delayed ability is triggered, the trigger event is irrelevant until the ability actually exists. -EXAMPLE: Part of an effect reads, "When this card leaves play," but the named card leaves play before the spell or ability generating the effect resolves. +Delayed triggered abilities come from other spells or abilities that create them on resolution. +That means the delayed triggered ability won't trigger until it has actually been created, even if its trigger event occurred just beforehand. +EXAMPLE: Part of an effect reads, "when this card leaves play," but the card in question leaves play before the spell or ability creating the effect resolves. In this case, the delayed ability never triggers. -If an effect reads, "When this card becomes untapped" and the named card becomes untapped before the effect resolves, the ability waits for the next time that card untaps. +As another example, if an effect reads, "when this card becomes untapped" and the named card becomes untapped before the effect resolves, the ability waits for the next time that card untaps. 406.2e -A delayed triggered ability will trigger only once unless there's a stated duration. - +A delayed triggered ability will trigger only once-the next time its trigger event occurs-unless it has a stated duration, such as "this turn." 407. Adding and Removing Abilities 407.1. @@ -920,40 +805,47 @@ If two or more effects add and remove the same ability, in general the most recent one prevails. (See rule 418.5, "Interaction of Continuous Effects.") 407.2. -A characteristic of a permanent as the result of an effect is different from an ability granted by an effect. +A characteristic of a permanent set by an effect is different from an ability granted by an effect. When a permanent "gains" or "has" an ability, it can be removed by another effect. If an effect defines a characteristic of the permanent ("[permanent] is [characteristic]"), it's not granting an ability. -EXAMPLE: An effect reads, "Enchanted creature gains flying." This confers an ability that can be removed by effects that remove flying. +(See also rule 402.3.) . +EXAMPLE: An effect reads, "Enchanted creature has 'This creature is unblockable.'" This confers an ability that can be removed by effects. 407.3. -Effects that remove an ability remove all copies of it. -EXAMPLE: If a creature with flying is enchanted with Flight, it has two copies of the flying ability. +Effects that remove an ability remove all instances of it.. +EXAMPLE: If a creature with flying is enchanted with Flight, it has two instances of the flying ability. A single effect that reads "Target creature loses flying" will remove both. 408. Timing of Spells and Abilities 408.1. 408.1a -Spells and abilities can be played only at certain times and follow a simple set of rules for doing so. +Spells and abilities can be played only at certain times and follow a set of rules for doing so. 408.1b Spells and activated abilities are played by players (if they choose) using a system of priority, while other types of abilities and effects are automatically generated by the game rules. -Each time a player receives priority, all applicable state-based effects resolve (See rule 420, "State-Based Effects"), then triggered abilities are added to the stack (See rule 410, "Handling Triggered Abilities"); these steps repeat until no further state-based effects or triggered abilities are generated. -Then the player may play a spell, ability, or land as governed by the rules for that phase. +Each time a player would get priority, all applicable state-based effects resolve first as a single event (see rule 420), then triggered abilities are added to the stack (see rule 410) +These steps repeat in order until no further state-based effects or triggered abilities are generated. +Then the player who would have received priority does so and may play a spell, ability, or land as governed by the rules for that phase. +The game also checks for state-based effects during the cleanup step (see rule 314) +If any state-based effects resolve, the active player gets priority afterward. 408.1c -The active player has priority at the beginning of most phases and steps. -(The exceptions are the untap step and the cleanup step.) The player with priority may either play a spell or ability, or pass. +The active player gets priority at the beginning of most phases and steps, after special actions and abilities that trigger at the beginning of that phase or step go on the stack. +The exceptions are the untap step and the cleanup step. +The player with priority may either play a spell or ability, or pass. If he or she plays a spell or ability, the player again receives priority; otherwise, his or her opponent receives priority. -If both players pass in succession, the top spell or ability on the stack resolves and the active player receives priority. -If the stack is empty when both players pass in succession, the phase or step ends. +If both players pass in succession, the top spell or ability on the stack resolves, then the active player receives priority. +If the stack is empty when both players pass in succession, the phase or step ends and the next one begins. 408.1d A player may play a spell or activated ability only when he or she has priority. Spells other than instants can be played only during a player's main phase, when that player has priority, and only when the stack is empty. 408.1e -When a spell or ability is played, it goes on top of the stack. +When a spell is played, it goes on top of the stack. +When an activated ability is played, a pseudospell representing it goes on the stack. 408.1f Triggered abilities can trigger at any time, including during the playing or resolution of a spell or another ability. However, nothing actually happens at the time the abilities trigger. -Each time a player receives priority, all abilities that have triggered but that haven't been put on the stack go on the stack before the player with priority may play spells or abilities. +Each time a player would receive priority, a pseudospell goes on the stack for each ability that has triggered but that hasn't yet been put on the stack. +Then the player gets priority and may play spells or abilities. (See rule 410, "Handling Triggered Abilities.") 408.1g Combat damage goes on the stack once it's been assigned. @@ -963,11 +855,10 @@ Priority doesn't apply to them. (See rule 418, "Continuous Effects" and rule 419, "Prevention and Replacement Effects.") 408.2. 408.2a -Effects don't go on the stack. -When a spell or ability resolves, its instructions are executed immediately. -These instruction may create a delayed ability. +Effects don't go on the stack; they're the result of spells and abilities resolving. +Effects may create delayed triggered abilities, however, and these may go on the stack when they trigger. (See rule 406.2, "Delayed Abilities.") 408.2b Static abilities continuously generate effects and don't go on the stack. @@ -980,98 +871,120 @@ Mana abilities resolve immediately. If a mana ability produces both mana and another effect, both the mana and the other effect resolve immediately. (See rule 406.1, "Mana Abilities.") -408.f -Card text that isn't an ability, such as "[This card] counts as a forest," is simply read and followed as applicable. -408.g -Game actions-untapping during the untap step, cleanup, and mana burn-don't use the stack. +408.2f +Characteristic-setting text that isn't an ability, such as "[This card] is a forest," is simply read and followed as applicable. +(See also rule 402.3.) +408.2g +Game actions-untapping during the untap step, declaring attacking or blocking creatures, cleanup, and mana burn-don't use the stack. 409. Playing Spells and Activated Abilities 409.1. Playing a spell or activated ability follows the steps listed below, in order. -(If partially through the step a player determines that he or she is unable to comply with the steps listed below , see rule 422, "Handling Illegal Actions.") No announcements or payments can be altered after they've been made. +If at the end of playing a spell or ability a player was unable to comply with any of the steps listed below, the game returns to the moment before that spell or ability was played (see rule 422) +Players can't begin to play a spell or ability that's prohibited from being played by an effect. +Announcements and payments can't be altered after they've been made. Playing a spell or ability that alters costs won't do anything to spells and abilities that are already on the stack. +Some spells and abilities specify that their controller's opponent does something the controller would normally do while it's being played, such as choose a mode, choose targets, or choose how the spell or ability will affect its targets. +In these cases, the opponent does so when the spell or ability's controller normally would do so. +If the spell or ability instructs both players to do something while it's being played, the active player goes first, then the opponent. 409.1a The player announces that he or she is playing the spell or ability. It goes on the stack and remains there until it's countered or resolves. Spell cards are physically placed on the stack. -For abilities, a pseudospell with the text and color of the card generating the ability goes on the stack. +For abilities, a pseudospell with the text of the ability goes on the stack. +All other characteristics of the pseudospell depend on the characteristics of the ability's source. +For example, such a pseudospell's color would be determined by the color of its source, not just the source's color when the pseudospell went on the stack. 409.1b -If the spell or ability is modal (uses the phrase "Choose one -"), the player announces which mode he or she is using. -A few spells and abilities allow the player's opponent to choose the mode. -That choice is also made at this time. +If the spell or ability is modal (uses the phrase "Choose one -" or "[specified player] chooses one- "), the player announces the mode choice. If the spell or ability has a variable mana cost (indicated by "oX"), the player announces the value of X at this time. +If the spell or ability has alternative, additional, or other special costs (such as buyback or kicker costs), the player announces his or her intentions to pay any or all of those costs when the rest of the spell or ability's costs are paid (see rule 409.1f) 409.1c -If the spell or ability requires any targets, the player announces these. -It can't be played unless the required number of legal targets are chosen. +If the spell or ability requires any targets, the player first announces how many targets he or she will choose (if the spell or ability has a variable number of targets), then announces the targets themselves. +A spell or ability can't be played unless the required number of legal targets are chosen. The same target can't be chosen multiple times. -A few spells or abilities allow the player's opponent to choose the target or require some choice that affects the number or type of targets. -Those choices are also made at this time. -If both players are required to choose targets, the player playing the spell or ability chooses first. +If the spell or ability targets one or more targets only if an alternative, additional, or special cost (such as a buyback or kicker cost) is paid for it, its controller chooses those targets only if he or she announced the intention to pay that cost. +Otherwise, the spell or ability is played as though it did not have those targets. 409.1d -If the spell or ability affects several targets, the player announces how it will apply to each. +If the spell or ability affects several targets in different ways, the player announces how it will affect each target. 409.1e If the spell or ability requires the player to divide an effect (such as damage or counters) among a variable number of targets, the player announces the division as he or she plays the spell. -Each of these targets must receive at least one of whatever is being divided. -This doesn't apply when the player isn't given a choice. +Each of these targets must receive at least one of whatever is being divided (for example, damage or counters); this doesn't apply when the player isn't given a choice. 409.1f -The player pays all costs in any order. -Partial payments aren't allowed. -Usually this is just the mana cost (for spells) or activation cost (for abilities). +The player determines the total cost of the spell or ability. +Usually this is just the mana cost (for spells) or activation cost (for abilities) Some cards list additional or alternative costs in their text, and some effects may increase or reduce the cost to pay. -The player announces choices for any variable or alternative costs at this time. Costs may include paying mana, tapping cards, sacrificing permanents, discarding cards, and so on. The total cost is the mana or activation cost, plus all cost increases and minus all cost reductions. +Once the total cost is determined, it becomes "locked in," and the player then pays all costs in any order. +Partial payments are not allowed.If effects would change the total cost after this time, they have no effect. If the cost includes mana, mana abilities can be played at this time. -(See rule 411, "Playing Mana Abilities.") +(See rule 411, "Playing Mana Abilities.") Example: You play Death Bomb, which costs o3oB and has an additional cost of sacrificing a creature. +You sacrifice Thunderscape Familiar, whose effect makes Death Bomb cost o1 less to play. +Because a spell's total cost is "locked in" before payments are actually made, Death Bomb costs o2oB, not o3oB, even though you're sacrificing the Familiar. +409.1g +Once the steps described in 409.1a-409.1f are completed, the spell or ability becomes played. +Its controller gains priority. 409.2. -Activated abilities that read "Play this ability any time you could play [spell type]" or "Play this ability only if you could play [spell type]" mean follow the timing rules for that spell type, though the ability isn't actually of that spell type. -409.3 An activation cost for a creature's ability that includes tapping (ocT) can't be played unless the creature was continuously under the player's control since the most recent start of his or her turn. +Activated abilities that read "Play this ability [only] any time you could play [spell type]" mean the player must follow the timing rules for that spell type, though the ability isn't actually of that spell type. +409.3 A creature's activated ability with ocT in its activation cost can't be played unless the creature has been under its controller's control since the start of his or her most recent turn. +Creatures with haste may ignore this rule (see rule 502.5) 410. Handling Triggered Abilities 410.1. -Because they aren't played, triggered abilities can trigger even when it isn't otherwise legal to play spells and abilities, and effects that prevent abilities from being played don't affect them. +Because they aren't played, triggered abilities can trigger even when it isn't legal to play spells and abilities, and effects that prevent abilities from being played don't affect them. 410.2. -Whenever a game event matches the trigger event of an ability, that ability "triggers." When a phase or step begins, all abilities that trigger "at the beginning of" that phase or step trigger. +Whenever a game event or game state matches a triggered ability's trigger event, that ability triggers. +When a phase or step begins, all abilities that trigger "at the beginning of" that phase or step trigger. The ability doesn't do anything when it triggers but automatically puts a pseudospell (see rule 217.6b) on the stack as soon as a player gets priority. -If the ability says a player "may" do something, that player controls the triggered ability and the pseudospell. -If the ability says this for more than one player, it generates one pseudospell per player. -If the ability doesn't use the word "may," the controller of the source of the triggered ability controls the ability (and the pseudospell). +The ability (and the pseudospell) is controlled by the player who controlled its source at the time it triggered. +If the ability says a player "may" do something, that player makes all choices for that instruction. +If the ability says this for more than one player, each player specified makes the choices for their instructions. +See also rule 410.6. 410.3. If multiple abilities have triggered since the last time a player received priority, pseudospells controlled by the active player go on the stack first, in any order he or she chooses, then those controlled by the opponent go on the stack in the same way. -(Then the players once again check for state-based effects and add any new abilities that triggered during this process.) +Then players once again check for state-based effects, then they add any new abilities that triggered during this process. +This process repeats until no new state-based effects or triggered abilities arise to be processed or put on the stack. +Then the appropriate player gets priority. 410.5. -Some triggered abilities give a player a choice of completing an action or doing nothing (denoted with the word "may"). -This choice is made at the time the ability would be put on the stack. -If the player chooses to complete the action, a psuedospell is added to the stack. -Otherwise, nothing is added to the stack; the ability is ignored. -This doesn't apply to a triggered ability that requires a player to do something "unless" that player pays the alternative requirement. +Some triggered abilities' effects are optional (they contain "may," as in "At the beginning of your upkeep, you may draw a card") +These abilities go on the stack when they trigger, regardless of whether their controller intends to exercise the ability's option or not. +(The choice is made when the ability resolves.) Likewise, triggered abilities that have an effect "unless" something is true or a player chooses to do something will go on the stack normally; the "unless" part of the ability is dealt with when the ability resolves. +Note that this rule is a reversal of the rule it replaced. 410.6. An ability triggers only once each time its trigger event occurs. However, it can trigger repeatedly if one event contains multiple occurrences. +See also rule 410.9.. EXAMPLE: A permanent has an ability whose trigger condition reads, "Whenever a land is put into the graveyard from play, ...." If someone plays a spell that destroys all lands, the ability will trigger once for each land put into the graveyard during the spell's resolution. 410.8. Triggered abilities with a condition directly following the trigger event (for example, "When[ever] [trigger], if [condition], [event]"), check for the condition to be true as part of the trigger event; if it isn't, the ability doesn't trigger. The ability checks the condition again on resolution. If it's not satisfied, the ability does nothing. Note that this mirrors the check for legal targets. +Note that this rule doesn't apply to any triggered ability with a condition elsewhere within its text. 410.9. Some abilities trigger when creatures block or are blocked in combat. (See rules 306-311 and section 5, "Additional Combat Rules.") They may trigger once or repeatedly, depending on the wording of the ability. 410.9a -An ability that reads "Whenever [name] blocks" or "Whenever [name] becomes blocked" triggers only once each combat for that creature, even if it blocks or is blocked by multiple creatures. +An ability that reads "Whenever [this creature] blocks" or "Whenever [this creature] becomes blocked" triggers only once each combat for that creature, even if it blocks or is blocked by multiple creatures. An effect that causes the creature to become blocked (if the creature wasn't already blocked) will also trigger such abilities. 410.9b -An ability that reads "Whenever [name] blocks a creature" triggers once for each attacking creature the named creature blocks. +An ability that reads "Whenever [this creature] blocks a creature" triggers once for each attacking creature the named creature blocks. 410.9c -An ability that reads "Whenever a creature blocks [name]" triggers once for each creature that blocks the named creature. +An ability that reads "Whenever a creature blocks [this creature]" triggers once for each creature that blocks the named creature. It won't trigger if the attacking creature becomes blocked by an effect rather than a blocking creature. +410.9d +If an ability triggers when a creature blocks or is blocked by a particular number of creatures, the ability triggers only if the creature blocks or is blocked by that many creatures when the attack or block declaration is made. +Effects that add or remove blockers can cause such abilities to trigger, but effects that switch blockers cannot. +This also applies to abilities that trigger on a creature blocking or being blocked by at least a certain number of creatures.. +EXAMPLE: Johtull Wurm reads, "Whenever Johtull Wurm becomes blocked by two or more creatures, it gets -2/-1 until end of turn for each creature blocking it beyond the first."If Johtull Wurm attacks and is blocked by one creature, and an effect later causes an additional creature to block the Wurm, its ability will trigger. +But if an effect such as that of False Orders switches the first blocker for another one, the Wurm's ability won't trigger. 410.10. Trigger events that involve cards or permanents changing zones are called "zone-change triggers." Many abilities with zone-change triggers attempt to do something to the card after it changes zones. During resolution, these abilities look for the card in the zone that it moved to. @@ -1080,47 +993,50 @@ 410.10a Comes-into-play abilities trigger when a permanent enters the in-play zone. These are written, "When [this card] comes into play, ... -" or "Whenever a [permanent type] comes into play, ..." Each time an event puts one or more permanents into play, all permanents in play (including the newcomers) are checked for any comes-into-play triggers that match the event. +" or "Whenever a [type] comes into play, ..." Each time an event puts one or more permanents into play, all permanents in play (including the newcomers) are checked for any comes-into-play triggers that match the event. 410.10d -Leaves-play triggers have to be treated specially because the permanent with the ability may no longer be in play after the event. +Abilities that trigger on one or more permanents leaving play, or on a player losing control of a permanent, must be treated specially because the permanent with the ability may no longer be in play after the event. The game has to "look back in time" to resolve them. -Each time an event removes one or more permanents from play, all the permanents that were in play just before the event (with continuous effects that existed at that time) are checked for any leaves-play triggers that match what just left play. +Each time an event removes from play or changes who controls one or more permanents, all the permanents in play just before the event (with continuous effects that existed at that time) are checked for trigger events that match what just left play or changed control.. EXAMPLE: Two creatures are in play along with an artifact that has the ability "Whenever a creature is put into a graveyard from play, you gain 1 life." Someone plays a spell that destroys all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments. -The artifact's ability triggers twice, even though the artifact goes to the graveyard at the same time as the creatures. +The artifact's ability triggers twice, even though the artifact goes to its owner's graveyard at the same time as the creatures. "Leaves play" triggers are zone-change triggers, even if the trigger condition doesn't care what zone the permanent is going to. If they attempt to do something to the card that left play, they'll look for it only in the first zone that it went to after leaving play. 410.10e Some permanents have text that reads, "[This permanent] comes into play as ... ," "[This permanent] comes into play with ... -," or "As [this permanent] comes into play ...." Such text isn't a triggered ability. -It happens as part of the event that puts the permanent into play. -410.11 Some triggered abilities watch for a game state, such as a player's life total or the number of cards in play, rather than an event. -These abilities trigger as soon as the game state matches the condition (even if it's not otherwise legal to play a spell or ability at that time). +," "As [this permanent] comes into play ... +," or "[This permanent] comes into play tapped." Such text is a static ability-not a triggered ability- whose effect occurs as part of the event that puts the permanent into play. +410.11 Some triggered abilities trigger on a game state , such as a player controlling no permanents of a particular type, rather than triggering when an event occurs. +These abilities trigger as soon as the game state matches the condition (even if it's not legal to play a spell or ability at that time) These are called "state triggers." (Note that state triggers aren't the same as state-based effects.) A state-triggered ability doesn't trigger again until the pseudospell it created has resolved or been countered. -Then, if the permanent with the ability is still in play and the game state still matches its trigger condition, the ability will trigger again. -EXAMPLE: A permanent's ability reads, "When your hand is empty, draw a card." If its controller plays the last card from his or her hand, the ability will trigger once. +Then, if the permanent with the ability is still in play and the game state still matches its trigger condition, the ability will trigger again.. +EXAMPLE: A permanent's ability reads, "When your hand is empty, draw a card." If its controller plays the last card from his or her hand, the ability will trigger once and won't trigger again until it has resolved. If its controller plays a spell that reads, "Discard your hand, then draw the same number of cards," the ability will trigger during the spell's resolution because the player's hand was momentarily empty. 411. Playing Mana Abilities 411.1. To play a mana ability, the player announces that he or she is playing it and pays the activation cost. -It resolves immediately and doesn't go on the stack. +It resolves immediately afterward and doesn't go on the stack. (See rule 408.2e.) 411.2. -A player may play an activated mana ability whenever he or she has priority and also whenever a rule or effect asks for a mana payment, even in the middle of playing or resolving a spell or ability. +A player may play an activated mana ability whenever he or she has priority. +A player may also play one whenever a rule or effect asks for a mana payment, even in the middle of playing or resolving a spell or ability. 411.3. -Triggered mana abilities trigger when activated mana abilities are played and add additional mana to a player's mana pool. +Triggered mana abilities trigger when an activated mana ability is played and adds one or more mana to a mana pool. These abilities resolve immediately after the mana ability that triggered them, without waiting for priority. EXAMPLE: An enchantment reads, "Whenever a player taps a land for mana, that land produces one additional mana of the same color." If a player taps lands for mana while playing a spell, the additional mana is added to the player's mana pool immediately and can be used to pay for the spell. +411.3a +If a triggered mana ability adds mana "of the same type" to a player's mana pool, and the mana ability that triggered it produced more than one type of mana, the player to whose mana pool the mana is being added chooses which type of mana the triggered ability adds. 412. Handling Static Abilities 412.1. @@ -1135,6 +1051,8 @@ 412.4. Some static abilities apply while a card is in your hand. These are limited to "you may/can't play [this spell] ...." +412.5. +Unlike spells and other kinds of abilities, static abilities can't use a card or permanent's last known information for purposes of how their effects are applied. 413. Resolving Spells and Abilities 413.1. @@ -1148,35 +1066,45 @@ A target that's removed from play, or from the zone designated by the spell or ability, is illegal. A target may also become illegal if its characteristics changed since the spell or ability was played or if an effect changed the wording of the spell or ability. If all targets are now illegal, the spell or ability is countered. -If some but not all targets are illegal, the spell will resolve normally, affecting only the targets that are still legal. +If the spell or ability is not countered it will resolve normally, affecting only the targets that are still legal. The effect on the remaining legal targets is the same as it would have been if all targets had remained legal. 413.2b The controller of the spell or ability follows its instructions in the order written. However, replacement effects may modify these actions. In some cases, later text on the card may modify the meaning of earlier text (for example, "Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated" or "Counter target spell. -Put it on top of its owner's library instead of into its owner's graveyard.") Don't just execute the instructions step by step without thinking in these cases-read the whole card and apply the rules of English to the text. +Put it on top of its owner's library instead of into its owner's graveyard.") Don't just apply effects step by step without thinking in these cases-read the whole card and apply the rules of English to the text. 413.2c -If the instructions offer any choices other than choices already made as part of playing the spell or ability, the player announces these while carrying them out. +If an effect offers any choices other than choices already made as part of playing the spell or ability, the player announces these while applying the effect. The player can't choose an option that's illegal or impossible. -If the instructions provide an optional action with a consequence for not doing so, the player can't choose that action unless he or she can meet all requirements. +If the effect provides an optional action with a consequence for not doing so, the player can't choose that action unless he or she can meet all requirements.. EXAMPLE: A spell's instruction reads, "You may sacrifice a creature. If you don't, you lose 4 life." A player who controls no creatures can't choose the sacrifice option. 413.2d -If an instruction requires both players to make choices or take actions, the active player makes and announces his or hers first, then his or her opponent does (knowing the first player's choices). -This is called the "active player rule." Then, the actions are processed simultaneously. +If an effect requires both players to make choices or take actions at the same time, the active player makes and announces his or her choices first, then his or her opponent does (knowing the first player's choices) +Then the actions take place simultaneously. +This is called the "active player rule." If a player must make more than one choice at a time, he or she makes the choices in the order written, or in the order he or she chooses if the choices aren't ordered. +Then, the actions are processed simultaneously. +Some spells and abilities have multiple steps or actions, denoted by separate sentences or clauses. +In these cases, the active player does the first action, then the nonactive player does that action, then the active player does the second action, then the nonactive player does that action, and so on.. +EXAMPLE: Stronghold Gambit reads, "Each player chooses a card in his or her hand. +Then each player reveals his or her chosen card...." First the active player chooses a card, then the nonactive player does so, then the active player reveals his or her chosen card, then the nonactive player does so. 413.2e -If an instruction gives a player the option to pay mana, he or she may play mana abilities as part of the action. +If an effect gives a player the option to pay mana, he or she may play mana abilities as part of the action. No other spells or abilities can be played during resolution. 413.2f -If an instruction requires information from the game (such as the number of creatures in play), the answer is determined when the player carries out that instruction. -The instruction uses the current information of a specific permanent, if that permanent is still in play, or of a specific card in the stated zone; otherwise, the instruction uses the last known information the card or permanent had before leaving that zone. +If an effect requires information from the game (such as the number of creatures in play), the answer is determined when the effect is applied. +The effect uses the current information of a specific permanent, if that permanent is still in play, or of a specific card in the stated zone; otherwise, the effect uses the last known information the card or permanent had before leaving that zone. +The exception is that static abilities can't use last known information; see rule 412.5. If the ability text states that a permanent does something, it's the permanent as it exists (or most recently existed) that does it, not the ability. 413.2g -An instruction that refers to characteristics of a permanent checks only for the value of the specified characteristics, regardless of any related ones the permanent may also have. +An effect that refers to characteristics of a permanent checks only for the value of the specified characteristics, regardless of any related ones the permanent may also have.. EXAMPLE: An effect that reads, "Destroy all black creatures" destroys a white-and-black creature, but "Destroy all nonblack creatures" doesn't. 413.2h A spell card is put into play under the control of the spell's controller (for permanents) or is put into its owner's graveyard (for instants and sorceries) as the final step of resolution. +413.2i +If an effect could result in a tie, the text of the spell or ability that created the effect will specify what to do in the event of a tie. +The Magic game has no default for ties. 414. Countering Spells and Abilities 414.1. @@ -1199,7 +1127,7 @@ The word "you" in a card's text isn't a target. A spell that affects only its player can't be retargeted. 416. Effects @@ -1208,10 +1136,10 @@ There are three main types: one-shot effects, continuous effects, and replacement and prevention effects. Effects of a fourth category, state-based effects, are generated by specific states of the game. 417. @@ -1221,7 +1149,7 @@ Examples include damage dealing, destruction, and moving cards between zones. 417.2. Some one-shot effects instruct a player to do something later in the game (usually at a specific time) rather than when they resolve. -Their effects actually create a new ability that waits to be activated or triggered. +Their effects actually create a new ability that waits to be triggered. (See rule 406.2, "Delayed Abilities.") 418. Continuous Effects @@ -1229,37 +1157,36 @@ A continuous effect modifies permanents or the rules of the game for a fixed or indefinite period. A continuous effect may be generated by the resolution of a spell or ability or by a static ability of a permanent. 418.2. -Continuous effects that modify characteristics of permanents do so as the permanents come into play. -They don't wait for the permanent to enter play and then change it. +Continuous effects that modify characteristics of permanents do so simultaneously with the permanent coming into play. +They don't wait until the permanent is in play and then change it. +Because such effects apply as the permanent comes into play, apply them before determining whether the permanent will cause an ability to trigger when it comes into play. 418.3. 418.3c -A numeric change other than simple addition or subtraction (for example, double or half) converts to a simple +X or -X at resolution. -It isn't recomputed if the initial value changes later. EXAMPLE: A spell that reads "Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand" counts the number of cards in the controller's hand when the spell resolves and grants that bonus for the rest of the turn, even if the hand size changes. 418.3d If an effect's duration expires before the spell or ability creating it resolves, then the effect does nothing-it doesn't start and immediately stop again, and it doesn't last forever. 418.4. 418.4a A continuous effect generated by a static ability of a permanent isn't "locked in"; it applies at any given moment to whatever its text indicates. 418.5. 418.5a Sometimes the results of one effect determine whether another effect applies or what it does. For example, one effect might read, "All white creatures get +1/+1" and another, "Enchanted creature is white." @@ -1270,16 +1197,15 @@ Whenever one effect depends on another, the independent one is applied first. If several dependent effects form a loop, or if none depends on another, they're applied in "timestamp order." (See Glossary.) 419. Replacement and Prevention Effects 419.1. -Replacement and prevention effects are similar to continuous effects. -They watch for a type of event and replace it with a different one, modify it in some way, or prevent it from happening. -These effects act like "shields" around whatever they're affecting. -Replacement effects use the word "instead," while prevention effects use "prevent." +Replacement and prevention effects are continuous effects that watch for a particular event to happen and then completely or partially replace that event. +(Prevention effects replace events with "nothing happens.") These effects act like "shields" around whatever they're affecting. +Replacement effects use the word "instead" to indicate what events will be replaced with other events, and prevention effects use "prevent" to indicate what events will not occur. 419.2. Replacement and prevention effects apply continuously as events happen-they aren't locked in ahead of time. 419.3. @@ -1287,24 +1213,30 @@ Such effects last until they're used up or their duration has expired. 419.5. If an event is prevented or replaced, it never happens. Instead of a replaced event, a modified event occurs, which may in turn trigger abilities. Note that the modified event may contain instructions that can't be carried out, in which case the player simply ignores the impossible instruction. -A prevented event is simply ignored-no abilities trigger. +If a source would deal 0 damage, it does not deal damage at all. +That means abilities that trigger on damage being dealt won't trigger on 0 damage. +It also means that replacement effects that increase damage dealt have no event to replace when 0 damage is dealt, so they have no effect[CBD1]. 419.6. 419.6a -EXAMPLE: A player controls two copies of a permanent with an ability that reads, "Instead of dealing their normal damage, creatures you control deal double that damage." A creature that normally deals 1 damage will deal 4 damage-not just 2, and not an infinite amount. +EXAMPLE: A player controls two permanents, each with an ability that reads, "Instead of dealing their normal damage, creatures you control deal double that damage." A creature that normally deals 1 damage will deal 4 damage-not just 2, and not an infinite amount. 419.6b Regeneration is a destruction-replacement effect. The key word "instead" doesn't appear on the card but is implicit in its definition. "Regenerate [permanent]" means "The next time [permanent] would be destroyed this turn, instead remove all damage from it, tap it, and (if it's in combat) remove it from combat." Note that if destruction is caused by lethal damage, any abilities that trigger from that damage being dealt still trigger even if the permanent regenerates. +419.6c +Some effects replace damage dealt to one creature or player with the same damage dealt to another creature or player; such effects are called "redirection" effects. +If either creature is no longer in play or is no longer a creature when the damage would be redirected, the effect does nothing. +Likewise, if either player is no longer in the game, the effect does nothing. 419.7. -Prevention Effects +Prevention Effects. 419.7a Prevention effects usually apply to damage that would be dealt. 419.7b @@ -1314,18 +1246,20 @@ Such effects count only the amount of damage; the number of events or sources dealing it doesn't matter. 419.7c Some prevention effects apply to damage from a specified source-for example, "The next time a red source of your choice would deal damage to you this turn, prevent that damage." The source is chosen when the spell or ability resolves. If the player chooses a permanent or a permanent spell, the prevention will apply to the next damage from that card, regardless of whether it's from one of that permanent's abilities or combat damage dealt by it. It's possible for the source to be out of play by the time the spell or ability resolves. +Some abilities that generate prevention effects can affect damage only from a source with certain characteristics, such as a creature or a source of a particular color. +When prevention "shields" with these types of restrictions are used, they recheck the source from which they're preventing damage. +If the characteristics no longer match, the damage isn't prevented. 419.8. 419.8a -If two or more replacement or prevention effects are attempting to modify the same event in contradictory ways, the affected player chooses the order to apply them. -If no player is directly affected, the player who controls the affected permanent chooses the order to apply them. +If two or more replacement or prevention effects are attempting to modify the way an event affects a permanent or player in contradictory ways, the affected permanent's controller or the affected player chooses the order to apply them to that permanent.. EXAMPLE: Two cards are in play. One is an enchantment that reads, "If a card would be put into a graveyard, instead remove it from the game" and the other, a creature that reads, "If [this card] would be put into a graveyard, instead shuffle it into its owner's library." The controller of the creature that would be destroyed decides which replacement to apply first; the other does nothing. State-Based Effects @@ -1336,16 +1270,16 @@ 420.2. State-based effects are always active and are not controlled by either player. 420.3. -Whenever a player has priority to play a spell or ability (see rule 408, "Timing of Spells and Abilities"), the game checks for any of the listed conditions for state-based effects. +Whenever a player would get priority to play a spell or ability (see rule 408, "Timing of Spells and Abilities"), the game checks for any of the listed conditions for state-based effects. All applicable effects resolve as a single event, then the check is repeated. This check is also made during the cleanup step (see rule 314); if any of the listed conditions apply, the active player receives priority. 420.5a A player with 0 life or less or who was required to draw more cards than were in his or her library loses the game. 420.5b @@ -1358,8 +1292,9 @@ 420.5d A local enchantment that enchants an illegal or nonexistent permanent is put into its owner's graveyard. 420.5e -If two or more Legends or Legendary permanents with the same name are in play, all except the one with the earliest timestamp are put into in their owners' graveyards. -This is called the "Legend rule." In the event of a tie for earliest timestamp, each Legend with the same name is put into its owner's graveyard. +If two or more Legends or legendary permanents with the same name are in play, all except the one that has been a Legend or legendary permanent with that name the longest are put into their owners' graveyards. +This is called 'the Legend rule.' In the event of a tie, each Legend or legendary permanent with the same name is put into its owner's graveyard. +(If two permanents have the same name but only one is a Legend or is legendary, this rule doesn't apply.) 420.5f A token in a zone other than the in-play zone ceases to exist. 421. @@ -1373,7 +1308,7 @@ 421.3. If the loop contains at least one optional action controlled by each player and actions by both players are required to continue the loop, the active player chooses a number. The nonactive player then has two choices. -He or she can choose a lower number, in which case the loop continues that number of times plus whatever fraction is necessary for the active player to "have the last word." Or he or she can agree to the number the active player chose, in which case the loop continues that number of times plus whatever fraction is necessary for the nonactive player to "have the last word." (Note that either fraction may be zero.) +He or she can choose a lower number, in which case the loop continues that number of times plus whatever fraction is necessary for the active player to "have the last word." Or he or she can agree to the number the active player chose, in which case the loop continues that number of times plus whatever fraction is necessary for the nonactive player to "have the last word." (Note that either fraction may be zero.) . EXAMPLE: The active player controls a creature with the ability "o0: [This creature] gains flying." The nonactive player has an ability "o0: Target creature loses flying." The rule ensures that regardless of which player initiated the gain/lose flying ability, the nonactive player will always have the final choice and therefore be able to determine whether the creature has flying. Note that this assume that the active player attempted to give the creature flying at least once. 421.4. @@ -1390,6 +1325,7 @@ No abilities trigger as a result of an undone action. If the action was playing a spell, the spell card returns to the player's hand. He or she may also reverse any legal mana abilities played while making the illegal play. +Legally played spells and abilities that have moved cards to or from a hand or library can't be reversed. 422.2. When reversing illegal spells and abilities, the player who had priority retains it and may take another action or pass. Otherwise, the player may redo the reversed action in a legal way or take any other action allowed by the rules. @@ -1401,19 +1337,22 @@ Some abilities and continuous effects restrict declaring attackers or blockers in combat. (See rule 308, "Declare Attackers Step," and rule 309, "Declare Blockers Step.") 500.2. -The active player checks each creature declared as an attacker for any restriction on attacking when combined with the rest of the proposed attack. -Likewise, he or she checks each creature not declared as an attacker for any attacking requirements that don't conflict with the rest of the proposed attack. -If either of these is the case, that set of attackers is illegal, and the active player must propose another attack. -Similar restrictions apply to declaring blockers. -EXAMPLE: A player controls two creatures, each with a restriction that states "[This creature] can't attack unless another creature attacks." It's legal to declare both as attackers. -If one creature "attacks if able" and an effect states "Only one creature may attack each turn," it's legal to declare either creature as an attacker but illegal to attack with both or neither. +As part of declaring attackers, the active player checks each creature he or she controls to see whether it must attack, can't attack, or has some other attacking restriction or requirement. +If such a restriction or requirement conflicts with the proposed attack, the attack is illegal. +(Tapped creatures are exempt, as are creatures with unpaid costs to attack.) The active player must then propose another set of attacking creatures[CBD2].. +EXAMPLE: A player controls two creatures, each with a restriction that states "[This creature] can't attack unless another creature attacks." It's legal to declare both as attackers.. +EXAMPLE: If one creature "attacks if able" and an effect states "Only one creature may attack each turn," it's legal to declare either creature as an attacker but illegal to attack with both or neither. +500.3. +As part of declaring blockers, the defending player checks each creature he or she controls to see whether it must block, can't block, or has some other blocking restriction or requirement. +If such a restriction or requirement conflicts with the proposed set of blocking creatures, the block is illegal. +The defending player must then propose another set of blocking creatures. 501. Evasion Abilities 501.1. Evasion abilities restrict what can block an attacking creature. These are static abilities that modify the declare blockers step of combat. 501.3. Some creatures have abilities that restrict how they can block. @@ -1426,7 +1365,7 @@ Some, though, are very common or would require too much space to define on the card. In these cases, the card lists only the name of the ability as a "keyword"; sometimes reminder text summarizes the game rule. 502.2. 502.2a First strike is a static ability that modifies the rules for the combat damage step. 502.2b @@ -1435,7 +1374,7 @@ 502.2c Adding or removing first strike after the first combat damage step won't prevent a creature from dealing combat damage or allow it to deal combat damage twice. 502.2d -Multiple copies of first strike on the same creature are redundant. +Multiple instances of first strike on the same creature are redundant. 502.3. Flanking 502.3a @@ -1443,7 +1382,7 @@ 502.3b Whenever a creature with flanking is blocked by a creature without flanking, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. 502.3c -If a creature has multiple copies of flanking, each triggers separately. +If a creature has multiple instances of flanking, each triggers separately. 502.4. Flying 502.4a @@ -1452,37 +1391,38 @@ A creature with flying can't be blocked by creatures without flying. A creature with flying can block a creature with or without flying. 502.4c -Multiple copies of flying on the same creature are redundant. +Multiple instances of flying on the same creature are redundant. 502.5. Haste 502.5a Haste is a static ability. 502.5b -A creature with haste can attack or use activated abilities whose cost includes tapping the creature even if it hasn't been controlled by its controller continuously since the most recent beginning of his or her turn. +A creature with haste can attack or use activated abilities whose cost includes ocT even if it hasn't been controlled by its controller continuously since the most recent beginning of his or her turn. 502.5c -Multiple copies of haste on the same creature are redundant. +Multiple instances of haste on the same creature are redundant. 502.6. Landwalk 502.6b Landwalk is an evasion ability. A creature with landwalk is unblockable as long as the defending player controls at least one land of the specified type. 502.6d -Multiple copies of the same type of landwalk on the same creature are redundant. +Multiple instances of the same type of landwalk on the same creature are redundant. 502.7. Protection 502.7a Protection is a static ability, written "Protection from [quality]." This quality is usually a color (as in "protection from black") but can be any characteristic, such as a permanent type. 502.7b -A permanent with protection can't be targeted by spells or abilities that have the stated quality, and can't be enchanted by enchantments that have the stated quality. +A permanent with protection can't be targeted by spells or abilities from a source with the stated quality, and can't be enchanted by enchantments that have the stated quality. +Such enchantments enchanting the permanent with protection will be put into their owners' graveyards as a state-based effect. In addition, any damage that would be dealt to it from sources having that quality is prevented. If it attacks, it can't be blocked by creatures having that quality. 502.7c -Multiple copies of protection from the same quality on the same permanent are redundant. +Multiple instances of protection from the same quality on the same permanent are redundant. 502.8. Shadow 502.8a @@ -1490,7 +1430,7 @@ 502.8b A creature with shadow can't be blocked by creatures without shadow, and a creature without shadow can't be blocked by creatures with shadow. 502.8c -Multiple copies of shadow on the same creature are redundant. +Multiple instances of shadow on the same creature are redundant. 502.9. Trample 502.9a @@ -1498,20 +1438,19 @@ A creature with trample has no special abilities when blocking or dealing noncombat damage. 502.9b The controller of an attacking creature with trample first assigns damage to the creature(s) blocking it. -If all those blocking creatures receive lethal damage, any remaining damage is assigned as its controller chooses among the blocking creatures and the defending player. +If all those blocking creatures are assigned lethal damage, any remaining damage is assigned as its controller chooses among the blocking creatures and the defending player. +When checking for assigned lethal damage, take into account damage already on the creature and damage from other creatures that is to be assigned at the same time (see rule 502.9f) The controller need not assign lethal damage to all blocking creatures but can't assign any damage to the defending player in this case. 502.9c If all the creatures blocking an attacking creature with trample are removed from combat before the combat damage step, all its damage is assigned to the defending player. -502.9d -An attacking creature with trample ignores any blocking creatures that can't have damage assigned to them. 502.9e Assigning damage from a creature with trample considers only the actual toughness of a blocking creature, not any abilities or effects that might change the final amount of damage dealt. 502.9f -When there are several attacking creatures, it's legal to assign damage from those without trample so as to maximize the damage of those with trample. +When there are several attacking creatures, it's legal to assign damage from those without trample so as to maximize the damage of those with trample.. EXAMPLE: A 2/2 creature with an ability that enables it to block multiple attackers blocks two attackers, one 1/1 with no special abilities and the other 3/3 with trample. The active player could assign 1 damage from the first attacker and 1 damage from the second to the blocking creature and 2 damage to the defending player from the creature with trample. 502.9g -Multiple copies of trample on the same creature are redundant. +Multiple instances of trample on the same creature are redundant. Glossary Ability @@ -1519,8 +1458,7 @@ An instruction in a permanent's text is an ability. The result of following such an instruction, or of a spell's instruction, is an effect. A permanent may have one or more abilities or no abilities at all. -For more information, see section 4, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects." -When an effect states that a permanent "gains" or "has" an ability, it's granting that permanent an ability. +For more information, see section 4, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects." When an effect states that a permanent "gains" or "has" an ability, it's granting that permanent an ability. If an effect defines a characteristic of the permanent ("[permanent] is [characteristic]"), it's not granting an ability. Activated Ability An activated ability is written as "activation cost: effect." By paying the activation cost, a player may play such abilities whenever he or she has priority. @@ -1531,7 +1469,8 @@ See rule 403, "Activated Abilities." Active Player The active player is the player whose turn it is. Whenever both players are instructed to make choices at the same time, the active player makes all his or her choices first, then the nonactive player. Additional Cost Some spells have additional costs listed in their text, which are paid at the same time as the player pays the mana cost. @@ -1540,10 +1479,11 @@ The rules text of some spells reads, "You may [action] to play [name] instead of paying its mana cost." These are alternative costs. Other spells and abilities that refer to a spell's mana cost don't consider any alternative cost. If an effect requires paying additional costs to play a spell, they still apply to the alternative cost. -Ante (Obsolete) -The Magic game once included an optional ante rule. -When using this rule, at the beginning of the game each player puts one random card from his or her deck into the ante zone. -At the end of the game, the winner becomes the owner of all cards in the ante. +Ante +Earlier versions of the Magic rules included an ante rule as a way of playing "for keeps." Playing Magic for ante is now considered an optional variation on the game. +When using this rule, at the beginning of the game each player puts one random card from his or her deck into his or her ante zone. +At the end of the game, the winner becomes the owner of the cards in each player's ante zone. +See rule 217.10 in Appendix B, "Older Rules." Artifact An artifact is both a card and a permanent type. Artifact spells can be played only during the active player's main phase when the stack is empty. @@ -1567,15 +1507,20 @@ Attack A creature attacks when it is declared as an attacker during the combat phase. (See rule 308, "Declare Attackers Step.") Using a spell or ability (even during the combat phase) is never considered to be an attack. +Attack Alone +A creature is attacking alone when it's the sole creature declared as an attacker in a given combat phase. +Attacked +Some triggered abilities trigger when a player is "attacked." At least one creature must actually be attacking for such abilities to trigger. +Also, "attacked" means "attacked by one or more creatures," so such abilities can trigger only once each combat. Attacking Creature A creature becomes an attacking creature when declared as an attacker during the combat phase. It remains an attacking creature until it's removed from combat, it stops being a creature, its controller changes, or the combat phase ends. Attacking creatures don't exist outside of the combat phase. See rule 308, "Declare Attackers Step." -Banding, Bands with Other (Obsolete) +Banding, Bands with Other Banding is a static ability that affects the combat phase. "Bands with other" is a specialized version of the ability. -(See Appendix B, "Older Rules," section 5.) +See rules 502.10 and 502.11 of Appendix B, "Older Rules." Basic Land There are five basic land types: plains, island, swamp, mountain, and forest. Every basic land has an intrinsic mana ability. @@ -1593,6 +1538,8 @@ Block A creature blocks when it's declared as a blocker during the combat phase. See rule 309, "Declare Blockers Step." +Block Alone +A creature is blocking alone when it's the sole creature declared as a blocker in a given combat phase. Blocked Creature An attacking creature becomes a blocked creature when another creature blocks it or an effect causes it to become blocked during the combat phase. It remains a blocked creature until it's removed from combat, it stops being a creature, its controller changes, or the combat phase ends. @@ -1605,9 +1552,9 @@ Blocking creatures don't exist outside of the combat phase. See rule 309, "Declare Blockers Step." Bury (Obsolete) -This is the act of putting a permanent into its owner's graveyard. -Regeneration can't replace a "bury" effect. -For most purposes, "bury" is equivalent to "destroy [this permanent]; it can't be regenerated." +Some older cards are printed with the term "bury," which meant to put a permanent into its owner's graveyard without the opportunity for regeneration. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "bury" now read "destroy [a permanent]. +It can't be regenerated." Buyback Buyback is a replacement ability modifying rule 413.2h. When playing an instant or sorcery spell with buyback, the controller of the spell may pay an additional cost specified on the card. @@ -1620,12 +1567,14 @@ Tokens aren't cards. See section 2, "Cards." Cast (Obsolete) -This is a synonym for playing a spell. +Some older cards are printed with the term "cast" to describe the playing of a spell. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "cast" now use the term "play." Caster (Obsolete) -The caster of a spell is the player who played it. +Some older cards are printed with the term "caster" to describe the player who played a spell. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "caster" now refer to the spell's "controller." Casting Cost (Obsolete) -This is the old term for mana cost. -The obsolete term "total casting cost" means "converted mana cost." +Some older cards are printed with the term "casting cost" to describe the mana cost of a spell. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "casting cost" now use the term "mana cost." Cards that used the term "total casting cost" now use the term "converted mana cost." Characteristics A card's characteristics are exclusively: name, mana cost, color, type and subtype, expansion symbol, abilities, power, and toughness. A card's characteristics at any given time start with the initial values, then are adjusted by any counters (on a permanent), then by continuous effects. @@ -1639,8 +1588,7 @@ The only colors in Magic are white, blue, black, red, and green. A permanent can be one or more of those colors or it can be colorless. "Colorless" isn't a color; neither are "artifact," "land," "brown," etc. -A card's initial color is determined by the color(s) of the mana -symbols in its mana cost. +A card's initial color is determined by the color(s) of the mana symbols in its mana cost. Spells and abilities may change a permanent's color temporarily or permanently. If an effect gives a permanent a new color, the new color replaces all previous colors rather than adding to them. Colorless @@ -1657,18 +1605,21 @@ See rules 306-311. Comes into Play A permanent comes into play when the card or token representing it is moved into the in-play zone. -A permanent whose type or controller changes doesn't "come into play." -Permanents come into play untapped and under the control of whoever put them into play. +A permanent whose type or controller changes doesn't "come into play." Permanents come into play untapped and under the control of whoever put them into play. Instructions that alter permanents coming into play do so as they come into play. For example, if an instruction causes something to come into play tapped, it isn't put into play untapped and then tapped. The controller-to-be of that permanent makes any choices required by the instruction. When a permanent comes into play, first apply any "as [card] comes into play" text, then apply any "[card] comes into play with" text, then apply continuous effects, then check to determine if the current form of the permanent generates any triggered abilities. Continuous Ability (Obsolete) -This is the old term for static ability. +In earlier versions of the rules, static abilities were known as "continuous abilities." Continuous Effect Continuous effects are usually active as long as the permanent with the associated static ability remains in play. A spell or ability can also create a continuous effect that doesn't depend on a permanent; these last for the specified time. See rule 418, "Continuous Effects." +Continuous Artifact (Obsolete) +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for a "continuous artifact" card type. +All continuous artifact cards are now artifact cards. +Artifacts printed with the continuous artifact card type generally have no activated abilities. Control/Controller Every permanent, spell, and ability has a controller. When a permanent comes into play, its controller is whoever put it into play unless the spell or ability that generated the permanent states otherwise. @@ -1680,6 +1631,9 @@ The converted mana cost of a card is the total amount of mana in its mana cost, regardless of color. For example, Air Elemental has a mana cost of o3oUoU and a converted mana cost of 5. The old term for converted mana cost was "total casting cost." See rule 203, "Mana Cost." +Copy Card +A "copy card" is a card that creates or becomes a "copy" of another spell, permanent, or card. +See rule 601 of Appendix B, "Older Rules." Cost Playing spells and activated abilities requires paying a cost. Most costs are in mana, but they may also include paying life, tapping or sacrificing permanents, or discarding cards, and so on. @@ -1688,9 +1642,7 @@ See rule 203, "Mana Cost," and rule 403, "Activated Abilities." Could "Could" in Magic language doesn't provide for endless possibilities. Some cards refer to a type of mana that other cards "could produce." To determine the type of mana, use any phrase on that card containing the words "add mana to your mana pool," as modified by replacement effects, regardless of whether the ability can currently be played and whether it will currently produce any mana. If the type of mana is undefined, no type of mana is generated. Counter @@ -1698,7 +1650,8 @@ To counter a spell or ability is to cancel it, removing it from the stack zone. A countered spell is put into its owner's graveyard. 2. -A counter is a marker placed on a permanent, either modifying its characteristics or interacting with an ability. +A counter is a marker placed on a permanent, either modifying its +characteristics or interacting with an ability. For example, some creatures come into play with a number of +1/+1 counters, increasing their power and toughness. Counters with the same name or description are interchangeable. Counters may also be given to players. @@ -1737,7 +1690,8 @@ When the game begins, each player's deck becomes his or her library. Defending Player During the combat phase, the active player's opponent is the defending player. -(In a multiplayer game, there may be one defending player at a time or there may be more than one, depending on which variant is being played.) Creatures can attack only the defending player; they can't attack other players or creatures. +(In a multiplayer game, there may be one defending player at a time or there may be more than one, depending on which variant is being played.) +Creatures can attack only the defending player; they can't attack other players or creatures. During phases other than combat, there is no defending player. Delayed Ability A delayed ability is an activated or triggered ability created by effects generated when some spells or abilities resolve. @@ -1756,16 +1710,24 @@ A spell or ability may move cards from a player's library to the hand without "drawing" them; this makes a difference for abilities that trigger on drawing cards or that replace card draws. 2. A game ends in a draw if both players lose or win simultaneously. -Draw Step -The draw step is the third step of the beginning phase, with a triggered ability that requires the active player to draw a card at the beginning of the step. -A player may play spells and abilities during this step -whenever he or she has priority. +Draw Step The draw step is the third step of the beginning phase, with a triggered ability that requires the active player to draw a card at the beginning of the step. +A player may play spells and abilities during this step whenever he or she has priority. See rule 304, "Draw Step." +Dual Land (Informal) +Ten "dual land" cards were printed in early Magic editions; each of these has two basic land types in addition to its inherent land type. +For example, Taiga has a land type of Taiga, forest, and mountain. +Dual land cards have the default abilities of both basic land types and are treated as both by all spells and abilities that specifically refer to those types. +However, they are not basic lands. +A dual land card doesn't count as two lands while in play-it's just one land with multiple abilities. +Changing one of the land type words on a dual land also changes which mana ability it has. +Thus, if you play a spell or ability that edits Taiga to read, "a forest and a plains in addition to its land type," it can then be tapped for green or white mana. Duel (Obsolete) -This is a synonym for a game of Magic. -See also Match. +In earlier versions of the rules, a game of Magic was known as a "duel." See also Match. During (Obsolete) -Phase-triggered abilities were sometimes written "During [phase], ...." These should be read as "At the beginning of [phase], ...." +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for "phase abilities," which were written "During [phase], ..." In general, cards that were printed with phase abilities now have abilities that trigger at the beginning of a step or phase. +"During" appears in current card text, but only in its normal English sense and not as game terminology. Echo Echo is a upkeep-triggered ability. "Echo" in a permanent's rules text means "At the beginning of your upkeep, if this card came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, you may pay its mana cost. @@ -1774,14 +1736,13 @@ "Ability" and "effect" are often confused with one another. An instruction in a permanent's text is an ability. The result of carrying out such an instruction, or that of a spell, is an effect. -See rule 416, "Effects." -When a spell or ability resolves, it creates an effect. +See rule 416, "Effects." When a spell or ability resolves, it creates an effect. There are three basic types: one-shot, continuous, and replacement or prevention effects. Some effects may in turn create delayed abilities to be played later. -Enchant World (Obsolete) -Enchant world is a category of global enchantment found only in out-of-print cards. -Whenever two or more enchant world cards are in play, all but the one with the most recent timestamp are put into their owners' graveyard. -This is a state-based effect. +Enchant World +A card printed with the type "Enchant World" is a global enchantment. +If two or more enchant worlds are in play, all are put into their owners' graveyards except for the one that has been an enchant world for the shortest amount of time. +This is a state-based effect; see rule 420. Enchantment An enchantment is both a card and a permanent type. The active player can play enchantment spells only during his or her main phase when the stack is empty. @@ -1834,28 +1795,33 @@ Urza's Saga(tm) [symbol] Urza's Legacy(tm) [symbol] Classic(tm) (Sixth Edition) [symbol] + Starter-Level Sets Portal(tm) [symbol] Portal Second Age(tm) [symbol] Portal Three Kingdoms(tm) [symbol] Starter [symbol] + Promotional Cards DragonCon [symbol] Magic novels [symbol] Arena(tm) league cards [symbol] -Reprints -Cards reprinted in Chronicles(tm), Anthologies, Battle Royale, and other reprint sets have the same expansion symbol as the original cards. +Reprints Cards reprinted in Chronicles(tm), Anthologies, Battle Royale, and other reprint sets have the same expansion symbol as the original cards. These cards are treated as belonging to the original set. Social-Play Sets Unglued(tm) [symbol] +Fading +Fading is a keyword ability that causes permanents to stay in play for a limited time. +Cards with fading come into play with a specified number of fade counters on them, as if the card read, "[This card] comes into play with [a number of] fade counters on it." They also have a triggered ability that reads "At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from CARDNAME. +If you can't, sacrifice CARDNAME." Fast Effect (Obsolete) -This is an old term for instant spells and activated abilities. +In earlier versions of the rules, instants and activated abilities were also known as "fast effects." First Strike First strike is a static ability that modifies the rules for the combat phase. Creatures with first strike assign and deal their damage first, then surviving creatures without first strike assign and deal their damage in a separate step. See rule 502.2, "First Strike." Fizzle (Obsolete) -Older versions of Magic rules use the term "fizzle" when spells or abilities are countered due to missing or illegal targets on resolution. +In earlier versions of the rules, the term "fizzle" was used when spells or abilities were countered as a result of missing or illegal targets on resolution. Flanking Flanking is a triggered ability that triggers during the declare blockers step of the combat phase. The word "flanking" in a creature card's rules text means "Whenever this creature becomes blocked by a creature without flanking, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn." See rule 502.3, "Flanking." @@ -1883,20 +1849,25 @@ The hand is the zone where a player holds cards that haven't been played yet. See rule 217, "Zones." Haste -Normally a creature can't attack or use activated abilities whose cost includes tapping the creature unless it's been controlled by the player continuously since the most recent beginning of that controller's turn. +Normally a creature can't attack or use activated abilities whose cost includes ocT unless it's been controlled by the player continuously since the most recent beginning of that controller's turn. Haste is a static ability that allows a creature to ignore this rule. See rule 502.5, "Haste." Hidden Information (Obsolete) -In earlier Magic rules, choices involved in playing spells and abilities were made during announcement, except sacrifices and certain categories of choices involving "hidden information" defined by complex rules. -Under Classic rules, most choices called for by a spell or ability are made during resolution and are unknown to the opponent until then. +In earlier versions of the rules, choices involved in playing spells and abilities were made during announcement, except sacrifices and certain categories of choices involving "hidden information" defined by complex rules. +Under current Magic rules, a clearly defined set of choices are made during the announcement of a spell or ability, and all other choices are made when the spell or ability resolves. See rule 409, "Playing Spells and Activated Abilities." If A triggered ability may read "When(ever)/At ... , if ... , [action]." The ability checks for the stated condition to be true when the trigger event occurs. If it is, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. On resolution, the ability rechecks the condition. If the condition isn't true at either of those times, the ability does nothing. +This rule is referred to as the "intervening 'if' clause" rule. Note that the word "if" has only its normal English meaning anywhere else in the text of a card; this rule only applies to an "if" that immediately follows the trigger condition. In Play In play is the zone in which permanents exist. @@ -1919,9 +1890,21 @@ Instant spells are put into their owner's graveyard as the last step of resolution. See rule 409, "Playing Spells and Activated Abilities." Interrupt (Obsolete) -An interrupt is a form of instant that targets a spell or ability. +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for the "interrupt" spell type. +All interrupt cards are now instant cards. Islandwalk See Landwalk. +Kicker +Kicker is a keyword ability with a cost and an effect. +Paying a spell's kicker cost causes it to have an additional or alternative effect than if its kicker cost wasn't paid. +A kicker cost is an additional cost to play a spell. +You declare whether you intend to pay a spell's kicker cost at the same time you would choose the spell's mode (see 409.1b), and you actually pay the cost when you pay the rest of the spell's costs (see 409.1f). +Paying a kicker cost is always optional. +A spell's controller chooses targets (see 409.1c) for a kicker effect only if he or she declared the intention to pay the kicker cost for that effect. +If the spell's controller declared that he or she wouldn't pay a particular kicker cost, he or she doesn't choose the targets for the effect associated with that kicker cost. +Lair +"Lair" is a land type. +Having the type Lair does not make a land a basic land. Land Land is both a card and permanent type. Lands aren't spells and don't go on the stack; they are simply put in play from the hand. @@ -1931,11 +1914,10 @@ A land's type is its card title. For example, a Forest is type "forest" and an Adarkar Wastes is type "Adarkar Wastes." Note that "basic" and "nonbasic" aren't land types. Landhome (Obsolete) -"Landhome" is a generic term; a card's rules text names a specific type of land, such as "islandhome." A creature with landhome can't be declared as an attacking creature during the combat phase unless the defending player controls at least one land of the specified type. -If its controller controls no land of the specified type, the creature is put into its owner's graveyard as a triggered ability. +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for a class of abilities called "landhome." The term itself is generic; a card's rules text usually names a specific type of land, such as in "islandhome." This means, "This creature can't attack unless defending player controls an island. +When you control no islands, sacrifice this creature." Cards that previously had landhome now simply have the two parts of landhome written out without using the keyword. Landwalk -"Landwalk" is a generic term; a card's rules text usually names a specific type of land, such as "islandwalk." -Landwalk is an evasion ability. +"Landwalk" is a generic term; a card's rules text usually names a specific type of land, such as "islandwalk." Landwalk is an evasion ability. A creature with landwalk is unblockable as long as the defending player controls at least one land of the specified type. See rule 502.6, "Landwalk." Leaves Play @@ -1951,6 +1933,8 @@ Whenever two or more Legends or legendary permanents with the same name are in play, all but the first played are put into their owners' graveyards. This "Legend rule" is a state-based effect. A Legend that stops being a creature is still legendary, and a legendary permanent that becomes a creature gets the creature type Legend in addition to any other creature type it may have. +A Legend that changes creature type to a creature type other than Legend is no longer a Legend and is no longer subject to the Legend rule. +A creature that changes creature type to Legend is now a Legend, and is subject to the Legend rule. Lethal Damage Lethal damage is an amount of damage greater than 0 and greater than or equal to a creature's toughness. A creature with lethal damage is destroyed. @@ -1961,7 +1945,7 @@ See rule 217.2, "Library." Life/Life Total Life total is a sort of score. -Each player starts the game with 20 life, and a player whose life total drops to 0 loses. +Each player starts the game with 20 life, and a player whose life total drops to 0 or less loses. This is a state-based effect. LIFO An acronym for "Last In, First Out," LIFO is the order in which spells and abilities resolve after going on the stack. @@ -1972,13 +1956,12 @@ They are labeled "Enchant [type]" and are attached to another permanent while in play. See rule 214.8, "Enchantments." Main Phase Artifact, creature, enchantment, and sorcery spells may be played only by the active player during his or her main phase, and only when the stack is empty. A player may also play one land each turn during his or her main phase. Mana Mana is the energy used to play spells and usually is produced by lands. -Mana is created by a spell or mana ability and can be used to -pay costs immediately or can go into the player's mana pool. +Mana is created by a spell or mana ability and can be used to pay costs immediately or can go into the player's mana pool. Colored mana costs, represented by colored mana symbols, can be paid only with the appropriate color of mana. Generic mana costs can be paid with any color of, or with colorless, mana. Specialized types of mana can exist. @@ -2002,9 +1985,10 @@ From there, it can be used to pay for spells and abilities. The mana pool is cleared at the end of each phase. See also Mana Burn. -Mana Source (obsolete) -Spells listed as type "Mana Source" are now instants. -Abilities that read "Play this ability as a mana source" are now mana abilities. +Mana Source (Obsolete) +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for the "mana source" spell type. +All mana source cards are now instant cards. +Abilities that read, "Play this ability as a mana source" are now mana abilities. Mana Symbol The mana symbols are oW, oU, oB, oR, oG, o0, numerals, and oX. Each of the colored mana symbols represents one colored mana: oW white, oU blue, oB black, oR red, and oG green. @@ -2023,13 +2007,18 @@ Modal/Mode A spell is modal if it offers a choice of effects. Its controller must choose the mode as part of playing the spell. -On current cards, modal spells are always written "Choose one - ." +On current cards, modal spells are always written "Choose one - ." or "[player X] chooses one- ," where "player X" is a specific player, usually an opponent. +Mono Artifact (Obsolete) +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for the "mono artifact" card type. +All mono artifact cards are now artifact cards. +Artifacts printed with the mono artifact card type generally have an activation cost of "T:" if there is none printed. +If there is an activation cost, "T" must be added to the printed cost. Mountainwalk See Landwalk. Move A spell or ability may instruct a player to "move" a local enchantment or a counter from one permanent to another. If the enchantment or counter no longer exists or the new permanent is no longer in play when the spell or ability resolves, nothing happens. -Similarly, an enchantment that can't enchant the new permanent stays where it was. +Similarly, an enchantment can't be moved onto a permanent it couldn't enchant; if this kind of move is attempted, the new permanent stays where it was. A moved enchantment stops enchanting the previous permanent and starts enchanting the new one, and it receives a new timestamp. Nothing else about the enchantment changes. The enchantment never left play, so no comes-into-play or leaves-play triggered abilities will trigger. @@ -2047,13 +2036,17 @@ The name of a card is printed on its upper-left corner. See rule 202, "Name." Nonbasic Land A nonbasic land that "counts as" a basic land has that land's mana ability and is subject to any spells or abilities that act on that land type, but it isn't a basic land. Number Magic uses only natural numbers. You may not choose a fractional number, deal fractional damage, and so on. When a spell or ability could generate a fractional number, the spell or ability will tell you whether to round up or down. -If a creature's power or toughness, a mana cost, an amount of damage, or an amount of life loss would be less than zero, it's treated as zero for all purposes except adding to or subtracting from it. +If a creature's power or toughness, a mana cost, a player's life total, an amount of damage, or an amount of life loss would be less than zero, it's treated as zero for all purposes except adding to or subtracting from it. +EXAMPLE: A 0/2 creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. +It is now a -1/1 creature, which acts exactly like a 0/1 creature except for things that would change its power further. +If it is later given +2/+0, then it becomes a 1/1 creature, not a 2/1 creature. Obsolete Terms marked "(Obsolete)" in this glossary were used on older cards or older editions of the rules. Updated wordings for all cards using these terms are available in the Oracle(tm) card reference. @@ -2091,17 +2084,22 @@ A permanent is any card or token in the in-play zone. See rule 214, "Permanent Type." Permanently (Obsolete) -Some older cards use the word "permanently" to indicate effects with no expiration. -For example, "Gain control of [name] permanently" grants control of it until something else changes the controller or it leaves play. +Certain older cards are printed with the term "permanently" to indicate effects with no expiration. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "permanently" now instead use reminder text to indicate that the effect lasts past the end of the turn. +EXAMPLE: A spell card that originally had the text "Gain control of target creature permanently" would now have the following text: "Gain control of target creature. +#(This effect doesn't end at end of turn.)#" This effect grants control of the permanent until something else changes the controller or it leaves play. It doesn't make the permanent immune to other control effects. Phase Each turn is divided into five phases: beginning, first main, combat, second main, and end. See section 3, "Turn Structure." Phase Ability (Obsolete) -This is a term for triggered abilities written "During [phase], ...." These should be read as "At the beginning of [phase], ...." -Phased Out (Obsolete) -The "phased out" zone is a special zone for permanents with phasing that are temporarily out of play. -See Appendix B, "Older Rules." +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for "phase abilities," which were written "During [phase], ...." In general, cards that were printed with phase abilities now have abilities that trigger at the beginning of a step or phase. +Phased-Out +The "phased-out" zone is a special zone for permanents with phasing that are temporarily out of play. +See rule 217.9 of Appendix B, "Older Rules." Phasing (Obsolete) Phasing is a static ability that causes a permanent to leave play and later return, without losing its "memory." See Appendix B, "Older Rules." Plainswalk @@ -2110,16 +2108,18 @@ The act of playing a spell, land, or ability involves announcing the action and taking the necessary steps to complete it. Playing a spell or activated ability requires paying any costs and choosing any required modes and/or targets. The spell or ability then goes on the stack. -See rule 409, "Playing Spells and Activated Abilities." Playing a mana ability requires paying any costs, then immediately resolving the ability. Play/Draw At the start of a game, one player gets to choose the order of play. Whoever plays first skips his or her first draw step. This is referred to as the "play/draw" choice. See rule 101, "Starting the Game." +Poly Artifact (Obsolete) +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for the "poly artifact" card type. +All poly artifact cards are now artifact cards. +Artifacts printed with the poly artifact card type generally have an activated ability with no "T" in the activation cost. Postcombat The second main phase in each turn is called the "postcombat" main phase. If an effect causes a turn to have an extra combat phase and another main phase, the additional one is also a postcombat main phase. @@ -2150,18 +2150,19 @@ Protection Protection is a static ability. A permanent with protection from [quality] can't be targeted by [quality] spells or abilities, or enchanted by [quality] enchantments. +Such enchantments enchanting the permanent with protection will be put into their owners' graveyards as a state-based effect. If it attacks, it can't be blocked by [quality] creatures. In addition, all damage dealt to it from [quality] sources is prevented. See rule 502.7, "Protection." Pseudospell A pseudospell is an activated or triggered ability that goes on the stack like a spell. -Rampage (Obsolete) -Rampage is a triggered ability that triggers in the declare blockers step of the combat phase. -"Rampage [X]" means "When this creature becomes blocked, it gets +[X]/+[X]until end of turn for each creature after the first blocking it." +Rampage +Rampage is a triggered ability. +"Rampage X" means "When this creature becomes blocked by two or more creatures, it gets +X/+X until end of turn for each creature blocking it beyond the first." Redirect (Obsolete) -To redirect damage is to deal it to a different player or creature than originally specified by the spell, ability, or combat damage assignment. -This doesn't change the source or type of damage. -A damage-redirection ability creates a replacement effect, which must be active before the damage is actually dealt. +Some older cards are printed with the term "redirect" to describe the act of dealing damage to a different player or creature than originally specified by a spell, ability, or combat damage assignment without changing the source or type of damage. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "redirect" now have abilities that generate replacement effects that modify where the damage will be dealt. +"Redirect" is still used informally to describe what these replacement effects do. Regenerate Regeneration is a destruction-replacement effect. "Regenerate [permanent]" means "The next time [permanent] would be destroyed this turn, instead remove all damage from it, tap it, and (if it's in combat) remove it from combat." Because it's a replacement effect, it must be active before the attempted destruction event. @@ -2198,8 +2199,12 @@ If an effect instructs a player to sacrifice a permanent that he or she doesn't control, nothing happens. Search If you're required to "search" a zone for cards matching some criteria, you aren't required to find those cards even if they're present. +Even if you don't find any cards, you are still considered to have searched the zone. If you're simply searching for "any card," however, you must find a card (if possible). -If you're required to search for a specific number of cards, you must choose that many cards (or as many as possible.) For example, if an effect causes you to search a player's hand, graveyard, and library for all copies of a particular card and remove them from the game, you may choose to leave some copies alone, but if an effect causes you to search your library for three cards and it contains at least three, you can't choose less than three. +If you're required to search for a specific number of cards, you must choose that many cards (or as many as possible.) For example, if an effect causes you to search a player's hand, graveyard, and library for all duplicates of a particular card and remove them from the game, you may choose to leave some of them alone, but if an effect causes you to search your library for three cards and it contains at least three, you can't choose less than three. +Separating cards into piles +If a player is asked to separate a group of cards into two or more piles, the cards do not leave the zone they're currently in. +If cards in a graveyard are split into piles, the order of the graveyard must be maintained as much as possible. Set Aside To set aside a card is to remove it from the game; however, the effect will specify some condition that allows the set-aside card to return to the game. See also Removed from the Game. @@ -2210,18 +2215,19 @@ Skip To skip a step, phase, or turn is to proceed past it as though it didn't exist. Skipping is a prevention or replacement effect. Anything scheduled for a skipped step, phase, or turn won't happen. Anything scheduled for the "next" occurrence of something waits for the first occurrence that isn't skipped. If two effects each cause a player to skip his or her next occurrence, that player must skip the next two; one effect will be satisfied in skipping the first occurrence, while the other will remain until another occurrence can be skipped -Snow-Covered (Obsolete) -A land may be snow-covered in addition to its land type. -This doesn't change its type or whether it's basic or nonbasic. -For example, a snow-covered forest is still a forest. -"Snow-covered" doesn't restrict the type and can't be chosen when a spell or ability specifies a land type. -Effects that change a land's type don't add or remove snow-covered -status. +Snow-Covered +"Snow-covered" is an ability that doesn't do anything in its own right; it's simply a keyword that other cards look for. +When a card refers to a "snow-covered land," it means a land with the snow-covered ability. +When a card refers to a "snow-covered forest," it means a forest with the snow-covered ability, and so on. +See rule 605 of Appendix B, "Older Rules." +Snow-Covered Landwalk +"Snow-covered landwalk" is a special form of landwalk. +A creature with snow-covered landwalk is unblockable as long as the defending player controls at least one land of the specified type that has snow-covered. +See rule 502.13 of Appendix B, "Older Rules." Sorcery "Sorcery" is a card type. Sorcery spells can be played only during their controller's main phase when the stack is empty. @@ -2234,6 +2240,19 @@ Spell A nonland card becomes a spell when played and remains a spell until it is countered or resolves. Nonland cards can also be referred to as "spell cards." See rule 213, "Spell Type." +Split Cards +Split cards have two card faces on a single card. +The back of a split card is the normal, full-size Magic: the Gathering card back. +Split cards have two sets of characteristics: two names, two mana costs, and so on. +They always have both sets, except when they're on the stack. +When you play a split card, you announce which side of the card you're playing. +While it's on the stack, the other side of the card is ignored completely. +Split cards have two mana costs with different colors of mana in them. +That means they are multicolored cards, except while they're on the stack. +If an effect tells you to name a card, you must name all of its names. +Effects that ask for a split card's characteristic get both answers. +Effects that ask if a split card's characteristic matches a given value get only one answer. +This answer is "yes" if either side of the split card matches the given value. Stack A spell or ability goes on top of the stack when played. Whenever both players pass in succession, the top spell or ability on the stack resolves and the active player receives priority again. @@ -2254,12 +2273,12 @@ Some phases of the turn are further subdivided into steps. See section 3, "Turn Structure." Successfully Cast (Obsolete) -Any ability that's written as triggering when a spell becomes "successfully cast" should be read as triggering when the spell is played. +Earlier versions of the rules provided support for "successfully cast" as a step in the announcement and resolution of a spell or ability. +In general, any ability that's written as triggering when a spell becomes "successfully cast" should be read as triggering when the spell is played. Summon (Obsolete) -A summon spell is any creature spell that isn't an artifact spell. -"Summoning a creature" is playing a nonartifact creature spell. +In earlier versions of the rules, creature cards were printed with the type "Summon [creature subtype]." All "Summon [creature subtype]" cards should be read as "Creature - [creature subtype]." Summoning Sickness (Obsolete) -This is an old term for a creature's inability to attack or tap to use activated abilities when it's just come under a player's control since that player's most recent beginning of turn. +In earlier versions of the rules, the term "summoning sickness" was used to describe a creature's inability to attack or to use activated abilities which include the ocT symbol when it has come under a player's control since the beginning of that player's most recent turn. See also Haste. Swampwalk See Landwalk. @@ -2269,11 +2288,13 @@ Creatures that haven't been under a player's control continuously since his or her most recent beginning of turn can't use any ability with ocT in the cost. Target Whenever the word "target" appears in the rules text of a spell or ability, the controller of the spell or ability chooses something that matches whatever follows that word. -This may be as simple as "target land" -or more complex, such as "target tapped creature one of your opponents controls." The choice is made when playing the spell or ability, which "targets" whatever was chosen. +This may be as simple as "target land" or more complex, such as "target tapped creature one of your opponents controls." The choice is made when playing the spell or ability, which "targets" whatever was chosen. A spell or pseudospell on the stack can't target itself. Text Box The text box is printed below the illustration on a Magic card and contains rules and flavor text. +Tie +If an effect could result in a tie, the text of the spell or ability that created the effect will specify what to do in the event of a tie. +The Magic game has no default for ties. Timestamp Order A permanent's timestamp is the time it came into play, with two exceptions: (1) If two or more permanents enter play simultaneously, the active player determines their timestamp order at the time they come into play, but a local enchantment must be timestamped after what it enchants; (2) Whenever a local enchantment becomes attached to a permanent, the enchantment receives a new timestamp. Continuous effects generated by static abilities have the same timestamp as the permanent that generated them. @@ -2283,7 +2304,8 @@ Tokens can be tapped and untapped just like cards, though an alternative to rotation might be needed to distinguish their status. See rule 216, "Tokens." Total Casting Cost (Obsolete) -This is the old term for converted mana cost. +Some older cards are printed with the term "total casting cost" to describe the converted mana cost of a spell. +In general, cards that were printed with the term "total casting cost" now use the term "converted mana cost." Toughness The number after the slash printed on the lower-right corner of a creature card is the creature's toughness. A creature's current toughness is the initial value (the printed number), modified by any counters that adjust toughness and then by any continuous effects. @@ -2332,7 +2354,8 @@ See also Tap. 2. Untap is the first step of the beginning phase of the turn. See rule 302, "Untap Step." Upkeep Upkeep is the second step of the beginning phase of the turn. @@ -2354,158 +2377,9 @@ If X isn't defined, the controller of the spell or ability chooses the value of X. All Xs on a card have the same value. Yield Priority (Obsolete) -To yield priority is to pass. +In earlier versions of the rules, the term "yield priority" was used instead of "pass." You/Your -The words "you" and "your" on a card always refer to its current -controller. +The words "you" and "your" on a card always refer to its current controller. Zone A zone is any place that Magic cards can be during a game. See rule 217, "Zones."