An explanation of how Burning Earth works (or really doesn't) when a nonbasic land is tapped for a non-mana ability.
Author: bimmerbot
Academy Raider – You have to discard first if you want to draw.
This is the latest red card to include the ability sometimes referred to as “reverse looting,” “red looting,” or “rummaging.” While blue cards frequently have “Draw a card, then discard a card” abilities, red doesn’t get that same luxury and flexibility. Instead, red gets “Discard a card, then draw a card.” So be careful when […]
Don’t store any extra cards with your sideboard!
One easily avoidable problem that we run into all too frequently is the Deck/Decklist Problem that occurs when a player puts extra cards in his or her deckbox. People do this for a variety of reasons, such as: I was having trouble deciding which cards to use in my sideboard, and these are the ones […]
Two Syphon Slivers are the same as one.
There are some keyword abilities that are useful in multiples. Generally speaking, it’s the triggered abilities (like Exalted or Flanking) that make sense to have more than one. Static abilities that modify power/toughness (like or ) also make cumulative sense. However, there are also many abilities that are useless when duplicated. Things like Trample, First […]
Dark Prophecy and Planar Cleansing – You’ll draw for the dying creatures.
A common question players have is about when lots of creatures die at once, and one of them has a trigger that cares about creatures dying. Does it see them dying at the same time? Yes. If dies with 3 other creatures to Supreme Verdict, for example, the Artist will trigger for all the creatures […]
M14 Rules Changes! Making “indestructible” an ability
In the post-Magic 2014 world, “indestructible” is now a keyworded ability! Instead of cards having the wording “Darksteel Ingot is indestructible”, the Ingot now simply has the ability “indestructible.” The indestructible ability does the exact same thing that “this permanent is indestructible” used to: a permanent with indestructible can’t be destroyed by lethal damage or […]
M14 Rules Changes! The Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule
This one is very similar to the Legend Rule update. Previously, any two planeswalkers on the field with the same subtype would go to the graveyard immediately. Now, the game only looks at the planeswalkers controlled by the same player, and if there are two or more with the same subtype, the controller chooses one […]
M14 Rules Changes! Sideboarding in Constructed
Currently (through July 12, 2013), in Constructed formats, you’re allowed to play with a sideboard that is either 15 or 0 cards exactly. Moreover, if you swap cards between your main deck and sideboard, you have to exchange them on a one-for-one basis. Both of these rules are being changed with the Magic 2014 rules […]
M14 Rules changes! Legendary permanents
Magic 2014 is coming, and with it, we’re getting some major updates to the rules! One of the major changes is to the “legend rule” that governs legendary permanents. Currently, if two or more legendary permanent with the same name are on the battlefield, all of them are put into their owners’ graveyards as a […]