One unusual type of triggered ability is the delayed trigger ability. Delayed triggered abilities are created by spells and abilities (and some replacement effects). They are unique in that they wait around for a bit and then trigger at an appropriate time. Like other ‘normal’ triggered abilities they are recognizable by the words ‘when,’ ‘whenever,’ and ‘at’ however these words to not always appear at the beginning of these abilities. For example, the Argent Sphinx‘s metalcraft ability exiles it from the game and generates a delayed triggered ability. At the beginning of the next end step this delayed trigger will go on the stack and it will return the Sphinx to play when it resolves.

Most delayed triggered abilities will only trigger once when the trigger condition is met. However those delayed triggers with a duration can trigger multiple times. For example, Hunter’s Insight creates a delayed triggered ability that lasts for the remainder of a turn. If the chosen creature deals combat to a player or planeswalker more than once that turn it will trigger once each time it does.

Some keyword abilities create delayed triggers, Rebound is an example of a keyword that creates a delayed trigger that will trigger just once, (see Staggershock) and Epic is an example of a delayed triggered ability with a duration that can happen more than once (see Enduring Ideal) . The duration of the Epic delayed trigger is the remainder of the current game.

There are actually several other characteristics of delayed triggers, here are are two of the more useful bits of information. Delayed triggers are controlled by the player that controlled the spell or ability that generated them. And while delayed triggered abilities are not represented by a card or permanent, pending delayed triggers can be chosen by replacement effects that allow you to choose a source of damage.