has an ability that is seen from time to time on green creatures. This ability allows the controller of an attacking Spinebiter to have it deal its combat damage to the defending player even if it is blocked. (Because of the way it mimics trample, this ability is sometimes referred to as ‘super trample.’) There […]
How Level Up works.
The level up mechanic and leveler creatures were introduced just over a year ago when Rise of the Eldrazi was released. One of the first things to notice about the cards is that there are multiple smaller boxes in the text box of these cards. See as an example. Each of these smaller sections in […]
When players get priority.
When players can perform actions, cast spells and play abilities is determined by a system of priority. Only one player can have priority at a time. The active player (player whose turn it is) will receive priority at the beginning most steps and phases of his or her turn. The steps where this player does […]
Not all damage is combat damage.
Abilities that trigger when combat damage is dealt will only trigger when a creature in combat assigns and deals damage in the combat damage step. It is possible for a creature, like to deal damage in the combat phase that is not combat damage. There are also abilities like the one granted to creatures you […]
What is “Public Information”?
Communication Policy Part 1: What is “Public Information” ? It is important to make sure you communicate clearly with your opponent during a tournament. First, it makes the game flow much more smoothly and, second, the game is a lot more fun if you don’t have to argue about what happened. The first type of […]
Who controls the trigger?
A triggered ability is controlled by the controller of the source of the ability when the ability triggers. Normally this is pretty straightforward. For example, with something like the controller of the trigger is whoever controlled the Blood Seeker when creature came into play under an opponent’s control. In most cases the controller of a […]
Shortcutting to Resolution
Three of the official shortcuts deal with announcing or asking about choices before those choices need to be made. If you cast a spell or activate an ability and declare choices that aren’t normally made until that spell or ability resolves, you have to abide by those declared choices unless another player responds to that […]
How to play Myr Superion
is a new 5/6 creature from New Phyexia that only costs two generic mana to play. Well, its not that simple. Myr Superion has a restriction on what mana you can use to pay when you cast it. You can only spend mana that has been generated by creatures to pay this cost. So what […]
How Imprint works.
Imprint was introduced in Mirrodin block. When initially introduced imprint was a keyword mechanic, meaning that there were specific rules in the comprehensive rules that governed how imprint worked. Imprint has been changed into an ability word, which now means that there are no specific rules that say how imprint works. All of the instructions […]