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Afterlife
MTGA Afterlife
Keyword Ability
Type Triggered
Introduced Ravnica Allegiance
Last used Modern Horizons 3
Reminder Text Afterlife N (When this creature dies, create N 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token(s) with flying.)
Statistics
10 cards
{W} 40% {B} 30% {W/B} 30%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Afterlife"

Afterlife is a keyword ability found on creatures. Similar to Doomed Traveler from Innistrad, and potentially named after Afterlife, it was introduced as a mechanic in Ravnica Allegiance for the Orzhov Syndicate.[1][2]

Description[ | ]

Afterlife is a triggered ability and includes a number. When the creature with afterlife dies it creates that number of 1/1 black and white Spirit creature token with flying.

Afterlife triggers only when the creature dies, meaning "goes to the graveyard from the battlefield." If it's exiled directly from the battlefield or similar, afterlife won't trigger.

History[ | ]

Afterlife made a return in the Ravnica: Clue Edition product on Afterlife Insurance. It is the first card to grant Afterlife, as all others are creatures with it as a native ability. After life made also an appearance in Modern Horizons 3.

Rules[ | ]

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (September 20, 2024—Duskmourn: House of Horror)

Afterlife
A keyword ability that leaves behind Spirit creature tokens when certain creatures die. See rule 702.135, “Afterlife.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (September 20, 2024—Duskmourn: House of Horror)

  • 702.135. Afterlife
    • 702.135a Afterlife is a triggered ability. “Afterlife N” means “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, create N 1/1 white and black Spirit creature tokens with flying.”
    • 702.135b If a permanent has multiple instances of afterlife, each triggers separately.

Rulings[ | ]

  • Because blockers are chosen all at once, you can't block with a creature with afterlife, wait for it to die, then block with the resulting Spirit tokens.

Example[ | ]

Example

Imperious Oligarch {W}{B}
Creature — Human Cleric
2/1
Vigilance
Afterlife 1 (When this creature dies, create a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying.)

References[ | ]

  1. Matt Tabak (December 17, 2018). "Ravnica Allegiance Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Mark Rosewater (January 2, 2019). "Building Allegiances, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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