Effects that switch the power and toughness of a creature are always applied last. Why? It’s just easier to calculate. For example: Lets start with a 1/4 and switch it power and toughness via its Landfall triggered ability so it is now a 4/1. If at the beginning of the combat step it get +2/+0 […]
Category: Effects
How Totem Armor Works
Totem Armor is a keyword ability that appears on many auras from Rise of the Eldrazi. It is a static ability that generates a replacement effect. This replacement effect is applied when the enchanted creature would be destroyed by an effect or a state-based action. Instead of having the creature go to the graveyard, the […]
When effects are permanent.
Continuous effects are those that apply to objects, players or the rules of the games for some period of time. The majority of continuous effects have a specific duration. For example, generates two different continuous effects that both last for the remainder of the turn that the Act of Treason resolves. They change the control […]
How Inkmoth Nexus and Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas interact.
One area of player confusion is how multiple abilities that ‘animate’ a permanent interact. A very common interaction that has come up a lot lately deals with ‘ animation ability and the planeswalker second activated ability. In order to get this ball rolling, you must first use Inkmoth Nexus’ ability to turn the Nexus into […]
Attacking creatures only exist after attackers are declared.
‘s last ability gives +1/+0 to all attacking creatures. This ability will only affect those creatures that are attacking when this activated ability resolves. If this ability is played and resolves in the first main phase of a turn, it will effectively not do anything as there are not any attacking creatures yet. One other […]
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 Reflecting Pool can and cannot do
‘s ability can make mana of any type of any other land that you control. There are six types of mana; white, blue, black, red, green and colorless. Other restrictions or abilities associated with mana are not part of its type and will not be applied to mana generated by Reflecting Pool. When determined what […]
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 […]
Regeneration cannot save a creature with zero toughness.
Regeneration prevents a creature from being destroyed. Destruction is caused by effects that specifically use the word ‘destroy’ or when a creature receives damage equal to its toughness. Effects that lower a creature’s toughness to zero or below will not cause destruction. Because of this regeneration will not save a creature that has a toughness […]