Awaken

Awaken is a keyword ability that provides an alternative cost. If a spell is cast for its awaken cost, in addition to its other effects, it animates a land you control as a 0/0 Elemental creature with N +1/+1 counters on it.

History
Awaken was introduced in Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi‎, as a preview for Battle for Zendikar‎.

In design, the number of +1/+1 counters, was locked - first at 2 and then at 3. Development changed it to a number to add an extra "knob" to balance them.

Awaken is similar to Evoke, but with the instant or sorcery aspect up front, in that a cheaper spell effect has a quasi-kicker effect of adding a creature.

Rulings

 * You can target a land that's already a creature.
 * If you cast a spell for its awaken cost, you must choose a legal target for every instance of the word "target," including the one included in the awaken ability.
 * If a spell with awaken normally doesn't require a target, and you choose to cast it for its awaken cost, you will add a target to the spell by doing so. If that target land becomes illegal before the spell tries to resolve, the spell will be countered.