Convert

Convert
Keyword Action
Introduced	Transformers
Last used	Transformers
Reminder Text	No official reminder text
Statistics	15 cards 13.3% 6.7% 13.3% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 26.7%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Convert"

Convert is a keyword action introduced in Transformers and means to turn a double-faced card to the opposite face. It is exactly the same as Transform.

Description

Similar to Transform, if an ability instructs you to convert the permanent, you turn it over so its other face is up. Whichever face is up at the time tells you what that permanent is and what it can do.

History

Convert is a mechanic developed to allow double-faced cards to transform between both faces, representing the Transformers ability to convert between their robot mode and alternate mode.

"Convert" is the term used by Hasbro on the packaging and in the manuals for the Transformers franchise. They do this to avoid genericizing the term Transformer and transform, and thus to protect their trademark. Under US trademark law, a trademarked term can lose its trademark if it becomes a generalized term for what it represents (such as "Band-Aid" for an adhesive bandage, "Kleenex" for tissue, or "Hoover" for vacuum cleaner). In an attempt to keep "Transformers" as a specific, trademarked term for their brand, the toys and media always refer to the change between robot and vehicle as "converting." This is especially ironic in this case since they had to trade in the existing Magic: The Gathering Transform mechanic for the new Convert.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

Convert

To turn a double-faced card so its other face is up. See rule 701.50, “Convert.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

• 701.50. Convert
  • 701.50a To convert a permanent, turn it so that its other face is up. This follows rules 701.28a–f, 712.9–10, and 712.18. Those rules apply to converting a permanent just as they apply to transforming a permanent.
  • 701.50b Although converting a permanent uses the same physical action as turning a permanent face up or face down, they are different game actions. Abilities that trigger when a permanent is turned face down won’t trigger when that permanent converts, and so on.
  • 701.50c If a spell or ability instructs a player to convert a permanent that isn’t represented by a transforming token or a transforming double-faced card, nothing happens.
  • 701.50d If a spell or ability instructs a player to convert a permanent, and the face that permanent would convert into is represented by an instant or sorcery card face, or is a transforming token that was created with an instant or sorcery face, nothing happens.
  • 701.50e If an activated or triggered ability of a permanent that isn’t a delayed triggered ability of that permanent tries to convert it, the permanent does so only if it hasn’t converted or transformed since the ability was put onto the stack. If a delayed triggered ability of a permanent tries to convert that permanent, the permanent does so only if it hasn’t converted or transformed since that delayed triggered ability was created. In both cases, if the permanent has already transformed or converted, an instruction to do either is ignored.
  • 701.50f If a spell or ability states that a permanent can’t transform, that permanent also can’t convert.

Example

Example

Starscream, Power Hungry
Legendary Artifact Creature — Robot
2/3
More Than Meets the Eye (You may cast this card converted for )
Flying
Whenever you draw a card, if you’re the monarch, target opponent loses 2 life.
Whenever one or more creatures deal combat damage to you, convert Starscream.

Rulings

• The convert keyword action functions the same way as the transform keyword action found on some other cards; to convert a permanent on the battlefield, turn it over so that its other face is up.
• The mana value of a converted permanent on the battlefield is equal to the mana value of the card's front face, no matter which face is up.
• Converting a permanent doesn't affect any Auras or Equipment that are attached to it. Similarly, any counters on the permanent will remain on that permanent after it converts. Any continuous effects from a resolved spell or ability will continue to affect it. Any spells or abilities on the stack that target a permanent continue to do so after that permanent converts.
• Any triggered ability of another card that triggers whenever a permanent transforms will also trigger whenever a permanent converts.
  • Similarly, an ability of another card that instructs you to "transform" one of these cards will cause you to convert it, even if that ability doesn't use the word "convert."