MagicArena Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
MagicArena Wiki
Magic Arena Wiki
7,283
pages
in: Pages with broken file links

Changes: Abilities

Back to page
Sign in to edit
mNo edit summary
Tag: Visual edit
mNo edit summary
Tag: Visual edit
Line 9: Line 9:
   
   
−
'''Activated abilities''' [[File:Icon_ActivatedAbility.png|left]] include any abilities that require some sort of cost. For example, the card {{Card|Akroan Jailer}} has an activated ability that reads: "{{2}}{{W}}, {{Tap}}: Tap target creature."
+
'''Activated abilities''' [[File:Icon_ActivatedAbility.png|left]] include any abilities that require some sort of cost. For example, the card {{Card|Akroan Jailer}} has an activated ability that reads: "{{2}}{{W}}, {{Tap}}: Tap target creature."
   
 
'''Triggered abilities''' [[File:Icon_TriggeredAbility.png|left]]require a specific event to happen, or by having met certain conditions. For instance, {{Card|Kytheon, Hero of Akros}} is able to transform into a powerful [[planeswalker]], but only if certain conditions are met: "At end of combat, if Kytheon, Hero of Akros and at least two other creatures attacked this combat, exile Kytheon, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control."
  
'''Triggered abilities''' [[File:Icon_TriggeredAbility.png|left]]require a specific event to happen, or by having met certain conditions. For instance, {{Card|Kytheon, Hero of Akros}} is able to transform into a powerful [[planeswalker]], but only if certain conditions are met: "At end of combat, if Kytheon, Hero of Akros and at least two other creatures attacked this combat, exile Kytheon, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control."
Line 29: Line 29:
   
 
===Can't Block===
  
===Can't Block===
−
[[File:Icon cant block.png|left]] Can't Block is a static ability found on creatures. They cannot be used as blocking creatures.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Can't Block is a static ability found on creatures. They cannot be used as blocking creatures.
   
 
{{Main|Blocking}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Blocking}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Can't be blocked===
  
===Can't be blocked===
−
[[File:Icon unblockable.png|left]] Can't be blocked is a static ability found on creatures. They cannot be blocked.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Can't be blocked is a static ability found on creatures. They cannot be blocked.
   
 
{{Main|Blocking}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Blocking}}{{Clear}}
Line 49: Line 49:
   
 
===Deathtouch===
  
===Deathtouch===
−
[[File:Icon deathtouch.png|left]] Deathtouch is a static ability that means any amount of damage dealt by a source with deathtouch is enough to kill the creature receiving the damage.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Deathtouch is a static ability that means any amount of damage dealt by a source with deathtouch is enough to kill the creature receiving the damage.
   
 
{{Main|Deathtouch}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Deathtouch}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Defender===
  
===Defender===
−
[[File:Icon defender.png|left]] Defender is a static ability that means the affected permanent cannot attack. It is commonly found on creatures with low power, and high toughness, such as most walls.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Defender is a static ability that means the affected permanent cannot attack. It is commonly found on creatures with low power, and high toughness, such as most walls.
   
 
{{Main|Defender}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Defender}}{{Clear}}
Line 64: Line 64:
   
 
===Doesn't Untap===
  
===Doesn't Untap===
−
[[File:Icon doesnt untap.png|left]] Sometimes a permanent gets this ability mostly from a blue source like {{Card|Fogwalker}} or {{Card|Ice Over}}.
+
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Sometimes a permanent gets this ability mostly from a blue source like {{Card|Fogwalker}} or {{Card|Ice Over}}.
   
 
{{Main|Tapping}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Tapping}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Double Strike===
  
===Double Strike===
−
[[File:Icon double strike.png|left]] A creature with double strike deals damage during the first [[Combat Damage Step|combat damage step]] alongside creatures with [[first strike]], then additionally deal damage during the second damage step along with regular creatures.
+
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] A creature with double strike deals damage during the first [[Combat Damage Step|combat damage step]] alongside creatures with [[first strike]], then additionally deal damage during the second damage step along with regular creatures.
   
 
{{Main|Double Strike}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Double Strike}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Embalm===
  
===Embalm===
−
[[File:Icon embalm.png|left]] An activated ability that lets you exile a creature card from your graveyard to create a mummified token version of that card.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] An activated ability that lets you exile a creature card from your graveyard to create a mummified token version of that card.
   
 
{{Main|Embalm}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Embalm}}{{Clear}}
Line 104: Line 104:
   
 
===Exert===
  
===Exert===
−
[[File:Icon exert.png|left]] An ability, which may be used, when a creature attacks. The effect of the ability happens, but the creature won't untap during the next untap step.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] An ability, which may be used, when a creature attacks. The effect of the ability happens, but the creature won't untap during the next untap step.
   
 
{{Main|Exert}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Exert}}{{Clear}}
Line 124: Line 124:
   
 
===Flying===
  
===Flying===
−
[[File:Icon flying.png|left]] A creature with flying cannot be blocked except by other creatures with either flying or reach. Creatures with flying can block other creatures with or without flying.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] A creature with flying cannot be blocked except by other creatures with either flying or reach. Creatures with flying can block other creatures with or without flying.
   
 
{{Main|Flying}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Flying}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Haste===
  
===Haste===
−
[[File:Icon haste.png|left]] Haste is a static ability that allows creatures to ignore the rules informally known as "summoning sickness". This means that they can attack, and activate tap or untap abilities on the same turn they enter the battlefield.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Haste is a static ability that allows creatures to ignore the rules informally known as "summoning sickness". This means that they can attack, and activate tap or untap abilities on the same turn they enter the battlefield.
   
 
{{Main|Haste}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Haste}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Hexproof===
  
===Hexproof===
−
[[File:Icon hexproof.png|left]] Hexproof is a static ability that means that the affected permanent can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, but can still be target by spells or abilities you control.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Hexproof is a static ability that means that the affected permanent can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, but can still be target by spells or abilities you control.
   
 
{{Main|Hexproof}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Hexproof}}{{Clear}}
Line 144: Line 144:
   
 
===Indestructible===
  
===Indestructible===
−
[[File:Icon indestructible.png|left]] Indestructible is a keyword ability that means that any permanent that has indestructible cannot be destroyed, and cannot die as a result of lethal damage.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Indestructible is a keyword ability that means that any permanent that has indestructible cannot be destroyed, and cannot die as a result of lethal damage.
   
 
{{Main|Indestructible}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Indestructible}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Ingest===
  
===Ingest===
−
[[File:Icon ingest.png|left]] Ingest is a triggered ability that [[Exile|exiles]] an opponent's top card of the [[Library|library]], when damage is dealt.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Ingest is a triggered ability that [[Exile|exiles]] an opponent's top card of the [[Library|library]], when damage is dealt.
   
 
{{Main|Ingest}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Ingest}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Intimidate===
  
===Intimidate===
−
[[File:Icon intimidate.png|left]] Intimidate is a static ability which restricts the types of creatures that can block a creature with intimidate. A creature with intimidate can't be blocked, except by artifact creatures and by creatures that share a color with it.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Intimidate is a static ability which restricts the types of creatures that can block a creature with intimidate. A creature with intimidate can't be blocked, except by artifact creatures and by creatures that share a color with it.
   
 
{{Main|Intimidate}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Intimidate}}{{Clear}}
Line 179: Line 179:
   
 
===Menace===
  
===Menace===
−
[[File:Icon menace.png|left]] Menace is a static ability that makes a creature unblockable unless it is blocked by more than one creature.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Menace is a static ability that makes a creature unblockable unless it is blocked by more than one creature.
   
 
{{Main|Menace}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Menace}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Must Attack===
  
===Must Attack===
−
[[File:Icon must attack.png|left]] Must Attack is a static ability found on creatures. They must attack if possible. If you tap your creature before the declaring attacker phase with some other effect, like crew a vehicle, your creature don't need to attack.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Must Attack is a static ability found on creatures. They must attack if possible. If you tap your creature before the declaring attacker phase with some other effect, like crew a vehicle, your creature don't need to attack.
   
 
{{Main|Attacking}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Attacking}}{{Clear}}
Line 194: Line 194:
   
 
===Reach===
  
===Reach===
−
[[File:Icon reach.png|left]] Reach is a static ability that means the affected creature can block creatures with flying.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Reach is a static ability that means the affected creature can block creatures with flying.
   
 
{{Main|Reach}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Reach}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Regenerate===
  
===Regenerate===
−
[[File:Icon regenerate.png|left]] Regenerate is an activated ability. When you regenerate a creature, this means that the next time this turn that it would be destroyed, instead it becomes tapped, all damage marked on it is removed, and if it's in combat, it is removed from combat.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Regenerate is an activated ability. When you regenerate a creature, this means that the next time this turn that it would be destroyed, instead it becomes tapped, all damage marked on it is removed, and if it's in combat, it is removed from combat.
   
 
{{Main|Regenerate}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Regenerate}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Renown===
  
===Renown===
−
[[File:Icon renown.png|left]] Renown is a triggered ability. “Renown N” means “When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn’t renowned, put N +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes renowned.”
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Renown is a triggered ability. “Renown N” means “When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn’t renowned, put N +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes renowned.”
   
 
Certain cards, often the ones that have Renown on them, care about creatures becoming renowned to trigger their own abilities.
  
Certain cards, often the ones that have Renown on them, care about creatures becoming renowned to trigger their own abilities.
Line 211: Line 211:
   
 
===Skulk===
  
===Skulk===
−
[[File:Icon skulk.png|left]] Skulk is an evasion ability that makes a creature unblockable to creatures with greater power.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Skulk is an evasion ability that makes a creature unblockable to creatures with greater power.
   
 
{{Main|Skulk}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Skulk}}{{Clear}}
Line 226: Line 226:
   
 
===Token===
  
===Token===
−
[[File:Icon token.png|left]] A Token is a marker for a permanent that is not represented by a card. Tokens don't have a casting cost. In Magic Duels Copies of Cards get this Icon.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] A Token is a marker for a permanent that is not represented by a card. Tokens don't have a casting cost. In Magic Duels Copies of Cards get this Icon.
   
 
{{Main|Token}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Token}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Trample===
  
===Trample===
−
[[File:Icon trample.png|left]] Trample is a static ability that allows creatures to deal the rest of the damage not taken by target creature(s) blocking does that much damage to the defending player.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Trample is a static ability that allows creatures to deal the rest of the damage not taken by target creature(s) blocking does that much damage to the defending player.
   
 
{{Main|Trample}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Trample}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Transform===
  
===Transform===
−
[[File:Icon doublefaced.png|left]] Transform is a triggered ability that allows to turn double-faced cards upside down.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Transform is a triggered ability that allows to turn double-faced cards upside down.
   
 
{{Main|Transform}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Transform}}{{Clear}}
   
 
===Vigilance===
  
===Vigilance===
−
[[File:Icon vigilance.png|left]] Vigilance is a static ability that means the affected creature does not need to tap when attacking.
 +
[[File:Icon unkown.png|left]] Vigilance is a static ability that means the affected creature does not need to tap when attacking.
   
 
{{Main|Vigilance}}{{Clear}}
  
{{Main|Vigilance}}{{Clear}}

Revision as of 11:32, 9 October 2017

In Magic: The Gathering, gameplay consists of players accumulating resources and using them to play cards. Some cards have an effect and instantly go to the discard pile, or graveyard; these are known as instants and sorceries. Other cards remain on the table until conditions cause them to be removed from play; these are known as permanents.

In addition to their presence on the table, permanents often have abilities, or functions that can directly affect gameplay. Abilities are often reusable and impact strategy to a significant degree.

There are three main types of abilities:

  • Activated,
  • Triggered, and
  • Static.


Activated abilities

File:Icon ActivatedAbility.png

include any abilities that require some sort of cost. For example, the card Akroan Jailer has an activated ability that reads: "C2White, Tap: Tap target creature." Triggered abilities

File:Icon TriggeredAbility.png

require a specific event to happen, or by having met certain conditions. For instance, Kytheon, Hero of Akros is able to transform into a powerful planeswalker, but only if certain conditions are met: "At end of combat, if Kytheon, Hero of Akros and at least two other creatures attacked this combat, exile Kytheon, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control."

Static abilities include keyword mechanics such as hexproof, first strike, and flying, as featured on cards like Primal Huntbeast, Akroan Sergeant, or Aspiring Aeronaut. Must Attack or Can't Block are static abilities without a keyword.

List of Magic Arena Abilities and Mechanics

These static abilities or mechanics are used in most sets and thus are the core abilities the game is built around.

Aftermath

Icon unkown

Split cards, that let you play one half of a split card only from your graveyard.

Main article: Aftermath

Awaken

Icon unkown

Awaken is an ability that lets you pay an alternative casting cost in order to transform a land into a creature.

Main article: Awaken

Can't Block

Icon unkown

Can't Block is a static ability found on creatures. They cannot be used as blocking creatures.

Main article: Blocking

Can't be blocked

Icon unkown

Can't be blocked is a static ability found on creatures. They cannot be blocked.

Main article: Blocking

Crew

Icon unkown

Turn a Vehicle Artifact into an Artifact Creature by tapping another creature. Gain additional benefits if the tapped creature has the Pilot subtype.

Main article: Crew

Cycling

Icon unkown

An ability, which let's you discard the card from your hand to draw another card.

Main article: Cycling

Deathtouch

Icon unkown

Deathtouch is a static ability that means any amount of damage dealt by a source with deathtouch is enough to kill the creature receiving the damage.

Main article: Deathtouch

Defender

Icon unkown

Defender is a static ability that means the affected permanent cannot attack. It is commonly found on creatures with low power, and high toughness, such as most walls.

Main article: Defender

Devoid

Icon unkown

Devoid is a static ability that makes a card colorless, no matter if it has colored mana as its casting cost.

Main article: Devoid

Doesn't Untap

Icon unkown

Sometimes a permanent gets this ability mostly from a blue source like Fogwalker or Ice Over.

Main article: Tapping

Double Strike

Icon unkown

A creature with double strike deals damage during the first combat damage step alongside creatures with first strike, then additionally deal damage during the second damage step along with regular creatures.

Main article: Double Strike

Embalm

Icon unkown

An activated ability that lets you exile a creature card from your graveyard to create a mummified token version of that card.

Main article: Embalm

Emerge

Icon unkown

Emerge is a ability that gives an alternative way to cast colossal Eldrazi. Instead of the mana cost of a spell with emerge, you can sacrifice ONE creature and pay its emerge cost instead at a discount. The emerge cost is reduced by the converted mana cost of the creature sacrificed. 

Main article: Emerge

Enchant

Icon unkown

Enchant {object or player} is a static ability found on auras which defines what they can enchant. The keyword is written with a quality after it (e.g. Enchant creature) which defines what a the aura can enchant. Technically it can attach to permanents.

Main article: Enchant

Energy

Icon unkown

Gather Energy counters (Energy) and spend them on Energy abilities.

Main article: Energy

Equip

Icon unkown

Equip is an activated ability found on equipments. By paying an equip cost, you can attach the artifact to a creature you control. Equipping can only be used at sorcery speed.

Main article: Equip

Escalate

Icon unkown

Escalate is a static ability, that lets you pay an additional mana cost for each mode after the first.

Main article: Escalate

Exert

Icon unkown

An ability, which may be used, when a creature attacks. The effect of the ability happens, but the creature won't untap during the next untap step.

Main article: Exert

Fabricate

Icon unkown

A triggered ability, that lets you put a number of +1/+1 counters on a creature, or create a number of 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature tokens.

Main article: Fabricate

First Strike

File:Icon FirstStrike.png

First strike is a static ability that creates an additional combat damage step. A creature with first strike will deal its combat damage before a creature that doesn't.

Main article: First strike

Flash

Icon unkown

Flash is a static ability that allows the affected card to be cast at any time you could cast an instant.

Main article: Flash

Flying

Icon unkown

A creature with flying cannot be blocked except by other creatures with either flying or reach. Creatures with flying can block other creatures with or without flying.

Main article: Flying

Haste

Icon unkown

Haste is a static ability that allows creatures to ignore the rules informally known as "summoning sickness". This means that they can attack, and activate tap or untap abilities on the same turn they enter the battlefield.

Main article: Haste

Hexproof

Icon unkown

Hexproof is a static ability that means that the affected permanent can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, but can still be target by spells or abilities you control.

Main article: Hexproof

Improvise

Icon unkown

Improvise is a static ability that lets you tap artifacts for C1 to help casting the spell.

Main article: Improvise

Indestructible

Icon unkown

Indestructible is a keyword ability that means that any permanent that has indestructible cannot be destroyed, and cannot die as a result of lethal damage.

Main article: Indestructible

Ingest

Icon unkown

Ingest is a triggered ability that exiles an opponent's top card of the library, when damage is dealt.

Main article: Ingest

Intimidate

Icon unkown

Intimidate is a static ability which restricts the types of creatures that can block a creature with intimidate. A creature with intimidate can't be blocked, except by artifact creatures and by creatures that share a color with it.

Main article: Intimidate

Investigate

Icon unkown

Investigate is a keyword action meaning “Put a colorless Clue artifact token onto the battlefield. It has ‘C2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.’”

Main article: Investigate

Lifelink

File:Icon LifeLink.png

Lifelink is a static ability that modifies the result of damage. When a creature or card with lifelink deals damage, the controller of that creature also gains an amount of life equal to the amount of damage dealt, in addition to dealing the damage as normal.

Main article: Lifelink

Madness

Icon unkown

Madness is a static/triggered ability that lets you cast a spell for an alternative mana cost, if the card is discarded.

Main article: Madness

Meld

Icon unkown

Meld exiles two cards of a meld pair, combines them into one and then returnes it to the battlefield.

Main article: Meld

Menace

Icon unkown

Menace is a static ability that makes a creature unblockable unless it is blocked by more than one creature.

Main article: Menace

Must Attack

Icon unkown

Must Attack is a static ability found on creatures. They must attack if possible. If you tap your creature before the declaring attacker phase with some other effect, like crew a vehicle, your creature don't need to attack.

Main article: Attacking

Prowess

Icon unkown

Prowess is a triggered ability. Creatures you control that have prowess gain +1/+1 every time you cast a non-creature spell.

Main article: Prowess

Reach

Icon unkown

Reach is a static ability that means the affected creature can block creatures with flying.

Main article: Reach

Regenerate

Icon unkown

Regenerate is an activated ability. When you regenerate a creature, this means that the next time this turn that it would be destroyed, instead it becomes tapped, all damage marked on it is removed, and if it's in combat, it is removed from combat.

Main article: Regenerate

Renown

Icon unkown

Renown is a triggered ability. “Renown N” means “When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn’t renowned, put N +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes renowned.”

Certain cards, often the ones that have Renown on them, care about creatures becoming renowned to trigger their own abilities.

Main article: Renown

Skulk

Icon unkown

Skulk is an evasion ability that makes a creature unblockable to creatures with greater power.

Main article: Skulk

Support

Icon unkown

Support is a keyword action that lets you put +1/+1 counters on target creatures.

Main article: Support

Surge

Icon unkown

Surge is a static ability that lets you pay an alternative mana cost, if you or a teammate (e.g. in Two-Headed Giant) casted a spell before in the same turn.

Main article: Surge

Token

Icon unkown

A Token is a marker for a permanent that is not represented by a card. Tokens don't have a casting cost. In Magic Duels Copies of Cards get this Icon.

Main article: Token

Trample

Icon unkown

Trample is a static ability that allows creatures to deal the rest of the damage not taken by target creature(s) blocking does that much damage to the defending player.

Main article: Trample

Transform

Icon unkown

Transform is a triggered ability that allows to turn double-faced cards upside down.

Main article: Transform

Vigilance

Icon unkown

Vigilance is a static ability that means the affected creature does not need to tap when attacking.

Main article: Vigilance
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.