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'''Keywords''' or "'''keyword abilities'''" are words attached to rules text and that represent an [[ability]] that is constant. The keyword is a shorthand for that longer meaning. This means that every card that uses the same keyword has to use it in the same way. Many abilities are explained in [[reminder text]], which is recognized by being in parenthesis and italics directly following the keyword.
  
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A '''keyword ability''' is a word or words that substitutes for a piece of rules text. Many keywords are summarized in [[reminder text]], especially in [[core set]]s. They can be referenced 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>
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==Examples==
  
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<div style="background-color: #e3f5f7; border: 1px solid #111111; padding: 10px; padding-top: 0px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom:20px; margin-right: 100px; margin-left: 100px;">
  
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'''Example'''
  
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*Fear ''(This creature can’t be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures.)''
  
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</div>
  
   
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Keyword ''abilities'' are somewhat different from [[keyword action|keyword ''actions'']], and both are distinct from [[ability word]]s. Collectively, they are described as [[mechanic]]s.
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Examples of common keyword abilities are:
  
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*[[flying]]
  
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*[[trample]]
  
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*[[haste]]
  
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*[[vigilance]]
  
   
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''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]'' introduced [[keyword counter]]s.
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The above-mentioned keyword abilities would rarely receive reminder text in an Expert Level expansion.
  
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==Differences with keyword actions and ability words==
  
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Keyword abilities are different from [[keyword actions]], as they usually stand alone on a cards text without a period after them, except when there are multiple keywords together (in which case they are separated by commas. See <c>Akroma, Angel of Wrath</c>), or when they are referenced as part of an ability (say, "{{2}}: This creature gains flying until end of turn.". See <c>Sarcomite Myr</c>).
  
   
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==Rules==
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Keyword abilties are also different from [[ability words]], as the latter have no special rules meaning and no individual entries in the [[Comprehensive Rules]]. Therefore, keywords can be referenced in rulestext of other cards, and ablity words cannot.
  
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{{CR|glossary|Keyword Ability}}
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{{CR|702.1}}
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{{KeyTOC|702|2}}
   
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==Subtypes==
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==See also==
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*[[Evasion ability]]
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Like all [[abilities]], keywords may be:
 
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*[[Evergreen]] keywords
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* [[:Category:Keywords/Static|Static]]
  
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*[[Keyword counter]]
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** [[:Category:Keywords/Evasion|Evasion]]
  
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** [[:Category:Keywords/Characteristic|Characteristic-defining]]
  
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* [[:Category:Keywords/Triggered|Triggered]]
  
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* [[:Category:Keywords/Activated|Activated]]
  
   
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==List==
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==Gallery==
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<gallery>
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File:Abilities1.png
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File:Abilities2.png
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File:Abilities3.png
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</gallery>
   
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==References==
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{{CR|Khans of Tarkir|*'''702.''' Keyword Abilities
  
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{{Reflist}}
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**'''702.1.''' Most abilities describe exactly what they do in the card’s rules text. Some, though, are very common or would require too much space to define on the card. In these cases, the object lists only the name of the ability as a “keyword”; sometimes reminder text summarizes the game rule.
  
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**'''702.2.''' [[Deathtouch]]
  
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**'''702.3.''' [[Defender]]
  
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**'''702.4.''' [[Double strike|Double Strike]]
  
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**'''702.5.''' [[Enchant]]
  
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**'''702.6.''' [[Equip]]
  
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**'''702.7.''' [[First strike|First Strike]]
  
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**'''702.8.''' [[Flash]]
  
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**'''702.9.''' [[Flying]]
  
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**'''702.10.''' [[Haste]]
  
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**'''702.11.''' [[Hexproof]]
  
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**'''702.12.''' [[Indestructible]]
  
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**'''702.13.''' [[Intimidate]]
  
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**'''702.14.''' [[Landwalk]]
  
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**'''702.15.''' [[Lifelink]]
  
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**'''702.16.''' [[Protection]]
  
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**'''702.17.''' [[Reach]]
  
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**'''702.18.''' [[Shroud]]
  
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**'''702.19.''' [[Trample]]
  
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**'''702.20.''' [[Vigilance]]
  
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**'''702.21.''' [[Banding]]
  
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**'''702.22.''' [[Rampage]]
  
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**'''702.23.''' [[Cumulative upkeep|Cumulative Upkeep]]
  
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**'''702.24.''' [[Flanking]]
  
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**'''702.25.''' [[Phasing]]
  
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**'''702.26.''' [[Buyback]]
  
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**'''702.27.''' [[Shadow]]
  
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**'''702.28.''' [[Cycling]]
  
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**'''702.29.''' [[Echo]]
  
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**'''702.30.''' [[Horsemanship]]
  
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**'''702.31.''' [[Fading]]
  
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**'''702.32.''' [[Kicker]]
  
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**'''702.33.''' [[Flashback]]
  
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**'''702.34.''' [[Madness]]
  
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**'''702.35.''' [[Fear]]
  
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**'''702.36.''' [[Morph]]
  
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**'''702.37.''' [[Amplify]]
  
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**'''702.38.''' [[Provoke]]
  
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**'''702.39.''' [[Storm]]
  
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**'''702.40.''' [[Affinity]]
  
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**'''702.41.''' [[Entwine]]
  
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**'''702.42.''' [[Modular]]
  
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**'''702.43.''' [[Sunburst]]
  
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**'''702.44.''' [[Bushido]]
  
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**'''702.45.''' [[Soulshift]]
  
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**'''702.46.''' [[Splice]]
  
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**'''702.47.''' [[Offering]]
  
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**'''702.48.''' [[Ninjutsu]]
  
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**'''702.49.''' [[Epic]]
  
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**'''702.50.''' [[Convoke]]
  
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**'''702.51.''' [[Dredge]]
  
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**'''702.52.''' [[Transmute]]
  
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**'''702.53.''' [[Bloodthirst]]
  
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**'''702.54.''' [[Haunt]]
  
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**'''702.55.''' [[Replicate]]
  
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**'''702.56.''' [[Forecast]]
  
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**'''702.57.''' [[Graft]]
  
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**'''702.58.''' [[Recover]]
  
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**'''702.59.''' [[Ripple]]
  
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**'''702.60.''' [[Split second|Split Second]]
  
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**'''702.61.''' [[Suspend]]
  
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**'''702.62.''' [[Vanishing]]
  
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**'''702.63.''' [[Absorb]]
  
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**'''702.64.''' [[Aura Swap]]
  
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**'''702.65.''' [[Delve]]
  
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**'''702.66.''' [[Fortify]]
  
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**'''702.67.''' [[Frenzy]]
  
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**'''702.68.''' [[Gravestorm]]
  
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**'''702.69.''' [[Poisonous]]
  
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**'''702.70.''' [[Transfigure]]
  
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**'''702.71.''' [[Champion]]
  
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**'''702.72.''' [[Changeling]]
  
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**'''702.73.''' [[Evoke]]
  
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**'''702.74.''' [[Hideaway]]
  
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**'''702.75.''' [[Prowl]]
  
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**'''702.76.''' [[Reinforce]]
  
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**'''702.77.''' [[Conspire]]
  
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**'''702.78.''' [[Persist]]
  
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**'''702.79.''' [[Wither]]
  
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**'''702.80.''' [[Retrace]]
  
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**'''702.81.''' [[Devour]]
  
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**'''702.82.''' [[Exalted]]
  
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**'''702.83.''' [[Unearth]]
  
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**'''702.84.''' [[Cascade]]
  
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**'''702.85.''' [[Annihilator]]
  
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**'''702.86.''' [[Level up|Level Up]]
  
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**'''702.87.''' [[Rebound]]
  
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**'''702.88.''' [[Totem armor|Totem Armor]]
  
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**'''702.89.''' [[Infect]]
  
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**'''702.90.''' [[Battle cry|Battle Cry]]
  
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**'''702.91.''' [[Living weapon|Living Weapon]]
  
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**'''702.92.''' [[Undying]]
  
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**'''702.93.''' [[Miracle]]
  
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**'''702.94.''' [[Soulbond]]
  
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**'''702.95.''' [[Overload]]
  
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**'''702.96.''' [[Scavenge]]
  
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**'''702.97.''' [[Unleash]]
  
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**'''702.98.''' [[Cipher]]
  
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**'''702.99.''' [[Evolve]]
  
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**'''702.100.''' [[Extort]]
  
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**'''702.101.''' [[Fuse]]
  
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**'''702.102.''' [[Bestow]]
  
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**'''702.103.''' [[Tribute]]
  
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**'''702.104.''' [[Dethrone]]
  
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**'''702.105.''' [[Hidden agenda|Hidden Agenda]]
  
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**'''702.106.''' [[Outlast]]
  
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**'''702.107.''' [[Prowess]]
  
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}}
  
   
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==External links==
  ⚫
* {{DailyRef|making-magic/keyword-play-2007-06-18|Keyword Play|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 18, 2007}}
  ⚫
* {{DailyRef|making-magic/keyword-wise-2003-05-19|Keyword to the Wise|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 19, 2003}}
  ⚫
* {{DailyRef|making-magic/one-one-nothing-2005-06-06-0|One With One With Nothing|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 6, 2005}} (about Keyword Creep)
  ⚫
* {{DailyRef|savor-flavor/vorthos-award-results-and-keyword-flavor-2009-02-25|Vorthos Award Results and Keyword Flavor|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 25, 2009}}
   
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{{Mechanics|keyword|state=collapsed}}
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{{CR Navbox|700}}
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==See also==
  
  ⚫
[[Category:Keywords| ]]
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General
  
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*[[Evasion ability]]
  
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*[[Evergreen|Evergreen keywords]]
  
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Obsolete or Un-sets Keywords
  
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*[[Landhome]]
  
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*[[Substance]]
  
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*[[Super haste]]
  
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==External links==
  
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* {{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr284|Keyword Play|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 18, 2007}}
  
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* {{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr72|Keyword to the Wise|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 19, 2003}}
  
⚫
* {{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr179|One With One With Nothing|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 06, 2005}} (about Keyword Creep)
  
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*{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/27|Vorthos Award Results and Keyword Flavor|[[Doug Beyer]]|February 25, 2009}}
  
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[[Category:Mechanics]]
  

Revision as of 06:04, 13 January 2022

A keyword ability is a word or words that substitutes for a piece of rules text. Many keywords are summarized in reminder text, especially in core sets. They can be referenced mechanically.[1]

Keyword abilities are somewhat different from keyword actions, and both are distinct from ability words. Collectively, they are described as mechanics.

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths introduced keyword counters.

Rules

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

Keyword Ability
A game term, such as “flying” or “haste,” used as shorthand for a longer ability or group of abilities. See rule 702, “Keyword Abilities.”

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

  • 702.1. Most abilities describe exactly what they do in the card’s rules text. Some, though, are very common or would require too much space to define on the card. In these cases, the object lists only the name of the ability as a “keyword”; sometimes reminder text summarizes the game rule.
    • 702.1a If an effect refers to a “[keyword ability] cost,” it refers only to the variable costs for that keyword.

      Example: Varolz, the Scar-Striped has an ability that says “Each creature card in your graveyard has scavenge. The scavenge cost is equal to its mana cost.” A creature card’s scavenge cost is an amount of mana equal to its mana cost, and the activation cost of the scavenge ability is that amount of mana plus “Exile this card from your graveyard.”

    • 702.1b An effect that grants an object a keyword ability may define a variable in that ability based on characteristics of that object or other information about the game state. For these abilities, the value of that variable is constantly reevaluated.

      Example: Volcano Hellion has the ability “Volcano Hellion has echo {X}, where X is your life total.” If your life total is 10 when Volcano Hellion’s echo ability triggers but 5 when it resolves, the echo cost to pay is {5}.

      Example: Fire//Ice is a split card whose halves have the mana costs {1}{R} and {1}{U}. Past in Flames reads “Each instant and sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback until end of turn. The flashback cost is equal to its mana cost.” Fire//Ice has “Flashback {2}{U}{R}” while it is in your graveyard, but if you choose to cast Fire, the resulting spell has “Flashback {1}{R}.”

    • 702.1c An effect may state that “the same is true for” a list of keyword abilities or similar. If one of those keyword abilities has variants or variables and the effect grants that keyword or counters of that keyword to one or more objects and/or players, it grants each appropriate variant and variable of that keyword.

      Example: Concerted Effort is an enchantment that reads “At the beginning of each upkeep, creatures you control gain flying until end of turn if a creature you control has flying. The same is true for fear, first strike, double strike, landwalk, protection, trample, and vigilance.” As that triggered ability resolves, each landwalk and protection ability from among creatures you control is granted to each creature you control.

    • 702.1d An effect may refer to an object “with [keyword ability]” or “that has [keyword ability].” This means the same thing as an object “with a [keyword ability] ability” or an object “that has a [keyword ability] ability.”

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

See also

Gallery

  • Abilities1.png
  • Abilities2.png
  • Abilities3.png

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 10, 2022). "Even More Words From R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links

 
Keyword Abilities
Other
 
Other
Digital only
Miscellaneous
Playtest
Unreleased
Former
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