Deathtouch is a static ability that changes the end result when a source with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature. When an object (which is usually a creature) with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature, that creature receiving the damage is destroyed when state-based actions are applied. A single point of damage from a source […]
Category: Static Abilities
Ethersworn Canonist can prevent spells from being cast via alternate methods
‘s ability prevents players from playing more than one non-artifact spell per turn. This limitation applies to playing spells via alternate means; such as Cascade or Hideaway. Even the triggered ability of can be interfered with by the Canonist’s ability. With Ethersworn Canonist and Knowledge Pool in play, if a player casts a non-artifact spell […]
Elvish Archdruid’s +1/+1 ability doesn’t affect itself.
‘s static ability that gives Elves +1/+1 does not affect the Elvish Archdruid itself. This is because the ability specifically states that ‘other Elf creatures get +1/+1.’ However, when an object refers to itself by name it means that object only, unless specified. This means that with two Elvish Archdruids in play, each will give […]
What ‘Everything’ in ‘Protection from Everything’ means.
The protection ability is often explained by using the acronym DEBT, which stands for Damage, Enchanting / Equipping, Blocking and Targeting. Protection from : D- Damage from sources of that quality is prevented. E- Enchantments / Equipment of that quality can not enchant / equip the protected permanent. B- The creature with protection can not […]
How Evoke works.
Evoke is a keyword ability that appeared on creature cards in Lorwyn and Morningtide. The keyword ability actually represents two abilities; a static one and a triggered ability. The static ability is what allows you to play the creature via its alternate Evoke cost. This cost can be paid anytime you could play the card […]
Armored Ascension cares about the controller of the Ascension, not the creature
‘s ability that grants +1/+1 to the enchanted creature looks at the number of Plains controlled by the controller of the Armored Ascension, not necessarily the controller of the creature that that Armored Ascension is on. This can matter if a creature is enchanted by Armored Ascension and then this creature is ‘stolen’ by something […]
When the Scars tap lands enter play tapped, and when they don’t
A cycle of five lands that produce two types of mana were printed in Scars of Mirrodin with a static ability that replaces how they enter play. would be an example of one of these lands. The gist of it is that they enter play untapped as long as you don’t control that many other […]
When to pay mana for Leonin Arbiter’s ability
‘s static ability prevents player from searching their libraries unless they pay 2 mana. Paying this mana is a special action that can only be done when a player has priority. Technically speaking, in order to search your library you must pay this two mana before any effect that would allow you to search starts […]
Most tapped artifacts do not ‘turn off.’
When Magic was first created, tapped artifacts ‘turned off’ and their static abilities did not apply. This was obviously changed a long time ago when the 6th Edition were released. Now there are only a few artifacts whose effects ‘turn off’ when they are tapped, but they explicitly say so in their rules text. Some […]