View source for Ability word

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An '''ability word''' is a word that thematically groups cards with a common functionality, but has no special meaning in the [[Comprehensive Rules]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/721341919969640448|title=What kind of considerations go into determining if something should be an ability word vs. a keyword ability?|June 28, 2023}}</ref>

==Description==
Because they indicate flavor rather than rules text, ability words are printed in italics and are separated from their corresponding rules text by an em-dash. Ability words are used to label mechanics that cannot be keyworded.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/ability-word-your-mother-2008-07-28|Ability Word to Your Mother|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 28, 2008}}</ref> From a design standpoint, the important thing to note about an ability word is that you can't refer to it mechanically.<ref name="Even More R&D">{{DailyRef|making-magic/even-more-words-rd-2022-01-10|Even More Words From R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 10, 2022}}</ref> 

===History===
Ability words were introduced with ''[[Unhinged]]''<nowiki/>'s [[gotcha]], and were first printed on tournament-legal cards in ''[[Saviors of Kamigawa]]'' with [[channel]] and [[sweep]]. Some earlier unnamed mechanics, such as [[Invasion block]]'s [[domain]], have retroactively received ability words. [[Odyssey block]]'s [[threshold]] was [[Oracle|errataed]] during rules changes in [[Time Spiral block]] to be an ability word, rather than a keyword, as was [[Mirrodin block]]'s [[imprint]] with the release of ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]''.

Ability words are distinct from [[keyword action]]s and [[keyword ability|keyword abilities]]. Collectively, they are described as [[mechanic]]s.

''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]'' adopts a very loose approach to ability words called '''[[flavor word]]s''', which are used to represent themed actions, character feats or magic, or monster abilities, instead of grouping similarly functioning cards.

As of 2023, R&D started experimenting with doing more one-of existing ability words in sets, as the card text explains everything and thus an ability word comes at less of a mental cost.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/731175968141623297|title=Why did we get a single card with Battle Cry in ONE?|October 14, 2023}}</ref>

==Rules==
{{CR|glossary|Ability Word}}
{{CR|207.2c}}

==Examples==
Examples of ability words are:
*''Metalcraft'' — {Additional or alternate effect} if you control three or more artifacts.
*''Sweep'' — Return any number of {[[basic land type]]s} you control to their owner's hand. {An effect based on the number of lands returned.}

==List of ability words==
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*''[[Adamant]]''
*''[[Addendum]]''
*''[[Alliance]]''
*''[[Battalion]]''
*''[[Bloodrush]]''
*''[[Celebration]]''
*''[[Channel]]''
*''[[Chroma]]''
*''[[Cohort]]''
*''[[Constellation]]''
*''[[Converge]]''
*''[[Corrupted]]''
*''[[Council's dilemma]]''
*''[[Coven]]''
*''[[Delirium]]''
*''[[Descend|Descend 4]]''
*''[[Descend|Descend 8]]''
*''[[Domain]]''
*''[[Eerie]]''
*''[[Eminence]]''
*''[[Enrage]]''
*''[[Fateful hour]]''
*''[[Descend|Fathomless Descent]]''
*''[[Ferocious]]''
*''[[Formidable]]''
*''[[Grandeur]]''
*''[[Hellbent]]''
*''[[Heroic]]''
*''[[Imprint]]''
*''[[Inspired]]''
*''[[Join forces]]''
*''[[Kinship]]''
*''[[Landfall]]''
*''[[Lieutenant]]''
*''[[Magecraft]]''
*''[[Metalcraft]]''
*''[[Morbid]]''
*''[[Pack tactics]]''
*''[[Parade!]]''
*''[[Paradox]]''
*''[[Parley]]''
*''[[Radiance]]''
*''[[Raid]]''
*''[[Rally]]''
*''[[Revolt]]''
*''[[Spell mastery]]''
*''[[Strive]]''
*''[[Sweep]]''
*''[[Tempting offer]]''
*''[[Threshold]]''
*''[[Underdog]]''
*''[[Undergrowth]]''
*''[[Valiant]]''
*''[[Will of the council]]''
*''[[Will of the Planeswalkers]]''
}}

===[[Acorn]] ability words===
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*''[[Best in show]]''
*''[[Gear up]]''
*''[[Gotcha!]]''
}}

==Trivia==
*Ability words were first referred to as such in rules text on the ''[[Mystery Booster]]'' test cards {{Card|Pithing Spyglass}} and {{card|Inspirational Antelope}}.

==See also==
*[[Hero's Reward]]
*[[Spiritcraft]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Mechanics|ability}}
[[Category:Ability words| ]]