Bloodthirst originally showed up as the Gruul mechanic in Guildpact from Ravinca block and it will be making a return visit to Magic with the release of Magic 2012. When it was originally used, bloodthirst only appeared on green and red cards, both of the colors from the Gruul guild. However with its reuse, it is no longer limited by the Ravnica guild colors and it now will also appear on black cards.

Bloodthirst appears on creatures and gives these creatures +1/+1 counters as long as an opponent has been dealt damage before the creature comes into play. The number of counters is determined by the number that appears after the word bloodthirst. If instead of a number there is the variable ‘x’, then the value of x will be noted on the card.

Creatures with bloodthirst enter play with the +1/+1 counters on them. They do not enter play and then receive the counters. For example, if your opponent has received damage the turn that a Blood Ogre were to enter the battlefield, it will enter as a 3/3 creature. Your opponent will not have the opportunity to target it with something that can deal two damage to it (like an unkicked Burst Lightning) before it gets the +1/+1 counter.