An ability word is a word that thematically groups cards with a common functionality, but has no special meaning in the Comprehensive Rules.
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.[1]
Ability words were introduced with Unhinged'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 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 actions and keyword abilities. Collectively, they are described as mechanics.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)
- Ability Word
- An italicized word with no rules meaning that ties together abilities on different cards that have similar functionality. See rule 207.2c.
From the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)
- 207.2c An ability word appears in italics at the beginning of some abilities. Ability words are similar to keywords in that they tie together cards that have similar functionality, but they have no special rules meaning and no individual entries in the Comprehensive Rules. The ability words are adamant, addendum, alliance, battalion, bloodrush, celebration, channel, chroma, cohort, constellation, converge, council’s dilemma, coven, delirium, descend 4, descend 8, domain, eminence, enrage, fateful hour, fathomless descent, ferocious, formidable, grandeur, hellbent, heroic, imprint, inspired, join forces, kinship, landfall, lieutenant, magecraft, metalcraft, morbid, pack tactics, paradox, parley, radiance, raid, rally, revolt, secret council, spell mastery, strive, sweep, tempting offer, threshold, undergrowth, and will of the council.
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 types} you control to their owner's hand. {An effect based on the number of lands returned.}
List of ability words
- Adamant
- Addendum
- Battalion
- Bloodrush
- Channel
- Chroma
- Cohort
- Constellation
- Converge
- Council's dilemma
- Delirium
- Domain
- Eminence
- Enrage
- Fateful hour
- Ferocious
- Formidable
- Grandeur
- Hellbent
- Heroic
- Imprint
- Inspired
- Join forces
- Kinship
- Landfall
- Lieutenant
- Magecraft
- Metalcraft
- Morbid
- Spell mastery
- Pack tactics
- Parley
- Radiance
- Raid
- Rally
- Revolt
- Spell mastery
- Strive
- Sweep
- Tempting offer
- Threshold
- Underdog
- Undergrowth
- Will of the council
Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
- Animate Walking Statue
- Cunning Action
- Cure Wounds
- Dispel Magic
- Dissolve
- Distract the Guard
- Engulf
- Fight the Current
- Find a Crossing
- Gentle Repose
- Hide
- Pry It Open
- Rejuvenation
- Rouse the Party
- Set Off Traps
- Smash the Chest
See also
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 28, 2008). "Ability Word to Your Mother". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.