Editing List of Magic slang

{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of ''Magic'' slang}}
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''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' players have invented many new terms over the years the game has existed, covering a wide variety of aspects of the game, from deckbuilding to card mechanics. An (incomplete) list of these slang terms, abbreviations, and nicknames is listed here.

==Current terms==
Note that this glossary is not a list of ''Magic: The Gathering'' "[[keywords]]". Most terms listed below are informal, player-created terms and are not truly a part of the game rules. For official game terms, please refer to the [[glossary]] found in the [[Comprehensive Rules]].

===0-9===
====1v1====
One-versus-one, which means two players playing against each other. A two-player game.

====2-for-1/1-for-2====
Shorthand for counting cards exchanged in any clear scenario, which can add up to the overall [[card advantage]] or disadvantage. Can be used as noun or verb. Any numbers can be substituted, usually when it's easy to assess cards. A 2-for-1 occurs when a player uses one card and the opponent uses/loses 2 cards. Removing a <c>Reality Smasher</c>, for example, forces a 2-for-1, since the opponent must discard an additional card to cast a removal spell that targets it. 1-for-2 is less used than "2-for-1-ing myself", such as if with <c>Force of Will</c>, and usually the opponent is given credit for achieving a 2-for-1.

===A===
====A====

* Short set code for [[Alpha|Limited Edition Alpha]].
* [[Design]] shorthand for [[Artifact]].<ref name="Abbreviations">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/162567067173/what-are-all-the-one-letter-abbreviations-use-for|title=What are all the one letter abbreviations used for things like colours and types etc?|July 03, 2017}}</ref>

====ABU/ABUR====
Short for " Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, Revised", it refers to the first sets in Magic's history, [[Alpha]], [[Beta]], [[Unlimited Edition]], and [[Revised Edition]]. 

====[[Mana acceleration|Accel]]====
Short for 'acceleration', accel is the elements in a deck that help it gain access to mana faster than the standard one-additional-mana-per-turn rate. It generally refers to placing additional mana-producing permanents into play, but also refers to one-use spells that provide a temporary mana boost (e.g. <c>Dark Ritual</c>). The most famous category of acceleration cards are the [[Moxes]] and <c>Black Lotus</c>, which significantly increase the amount of mana available in the early turns of a game.

Used interchangeably with [[ramp]].

====Agency====
A player's feeling that they have some control over what's happening in their game.<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>

====[[Aggro deck|Aggro]]====
Short for 'aggressive', aggro is used to define a deck or archetype which is highly dependent on creature combat and aggressive attacks (also '[[#Beatdown|beatdown]]'). The aim is to develop an advantage in the game before the opponent. Usually, aggro decks have a low [[mana curve]] and try to overwhelm the opponent before they can build any [[Board#Board presence|board presence]] or [[#Stabilize|stabilize]].

====[[Aggro-control deck|Aggro-control]]====
A deck archetype that incorporates elements of both aggro and control decks. Aggro-control is similar to, and in many cases synonymous with, [[tempo]].

====[[Allied color]]s====
The five [[Multicolored#Color pairs|pairs of colors]] which are adjacent on the color wheel. The five [[Ravnican guild]]s associated with allied colors gave them names: [[Azorius]] ({{W}}/{{U}}), [[Dimir]] ({{U}}/{{B}}), [[Rakdos]] ({{B}}/{{R}}), [[Gruul]] ({{R}}/{{G}}) and [[Selesnya]] ({{G}}/{{W}}). These colors are ideologically similar to each other, although they differ in their approaches.

====[[Alpha strike#Slang term|Alpha strike]]====
A final all-out [[attack]] for a lethal amount of [[damage]], intended to win the game that turn.

====[[Answer]]====
* Noun: a card or series of plays which neutralizes a threat.
* Verb: to play such a card.

====[[Lord#Any color|Anthem effect]]====
Named after <c>Glorious Anthem</c>, any effect that buffs or pumps all a player's creatures.

====[[Archetype]]====
#A specific branch of very influential or competitive decks in a metagame. Deck archetypes tend to revolve around a particular card, combo, or strategy.
#Any of the core strategy groups a deck can fall into. These are control, combo, or aggro ([[#Beatdown|beatdown]]) (or some hybrid of these "pure" strategies).

====Aristocrat====
Any creature that has an [[activated ability]] involving sacrificing another creature. E.g. <c>Teysa, Orzhov Scion</c>; <c>Falkenrath Aristocrat</c> (the type namer); <c>Varolz, the Scar-Striped</c>.
* Aristocrats — a deck archetype that aims to benefit from sacrificing its own stuff.

====[[As-fan]]====
How a [[booster pack]] looks like "as fanned", i.e. spread out across the table in a fan-like shape.<ref name="Few Words 2"/> Typically used to describe the relative frequency of different types of cards or effects in a given set.

====Attrition====
Playing for a long game in which you win through incremental advantages and value, rather than just playing a big bomb.

====[[Abzan]]====
Clan of [[Tarkir]] representing {{W}}/{{B}}/{{G}}. Now used as a [[wedge]] nickname for any White/Black/Green card or deck.

====[[Azorius]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{W}}/{{U}}. Now used as an [[allied color|allied]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any White/Blue card or deck.

===B===
====B====

* Short set code for [[Beta|Limited Edition Beta]]
* [[Design]] shorthand for [[Black]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====Bad beat story====
Complaining about losing a game, especially if the teller of the story is trying to shift the blame for their loss away from their own play mistakes to external factors like [[mana screw]].

====Bad cards====
Also known as '''Discriminator cards'''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/742857991830781952|title=Could you do a dtw on why you stopped making awful cards?|February 20, 2024}}</ref> Weak cards are a fundamental part of the game. Richard Garfield has described Magic as a 'game of exploration.' Much of the fun of the game comes from players examining each new set to see what they can discover. Many players take great enjoyment in finding use of cards that others dismiss. R&D cannot make bad cards that are secretly good without also making bad cards that are actually bad.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/when-cards-go-bad-2002-01-28|When Cards Go Bad|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 28, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/good-bad-and-ugly-truth-2005-12-19|The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Truth|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 19, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/when-cards-go-bad-revisited-2012-10-22|When Cards Go Bad Revisted|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 22, 2012}}</ref>

====[[Broken|Bah-roken]]====
The superlative form of '[[#Broken|broken]]'.

====Bait====
* Noun: a card which you play expecting it to be countered or destroyed, so that your opponent will not be able to react to your next (presumably better) card.
* Verb: to play such a card.

====Bank====
The collective list of items that are not found in hands, the battlefield, the graveyard, or the library, but still have a demonstrable effect on the game. For example, items in the bank include items in the command zone, poison counters, energy counters, experience counters, and cards that are temporarily in exile, such as spells suspended with time counters.

====[[Bant]]====
[[Alara]] [[shard]] representing {{U}}/{{W}}/{{G}}. Now used to describe any Blue/White/Green card or deck.

====[[Batching]]====
Can refer to two things:
* Combing multiple game components into one group for a mechanic. For instance, cards that care about [[Historic]] cards support Artifacts, [[Saga]] enchantments, and Legendary cards.
* [[Tribal coupling]], when a card cares about multiple creature types. For example, some cards in [[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty]] like {{Card|Silver-Fur Master}} care about both the "Rogue" creature type and the "Ninja" creature type.

Both effects are usually used for the same purpose as [[#Seeding|seeding]]: to create more synergy between other cards and reduce the chance that a mechanic is [[Mechanic#Parasitic|parasitic]].

====Battle====
To attack, especially to attack with (a creature). “Battle into” can be used to denote what potential blockers your opponent has. “I battled my 4/4 into their 2/2.” 

Following [[March of the Machine]], this may also refer to the [[battle]] permanent type.

====[[Prototype creature/Bears|Bear]]====
A 2/2 [[creature]] with no abilities that costs two [[mana]], such as <c>Grizzly Bears</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|whites-bears-2003-05-26|White's "Bears"|[[Magic Arcana]]|May 26, 2003}}</ref> ''See also: [[#Hate Bear|Hate Bear]], [[#Hill Giant|Hill Giant]], [[#Gray Ogre|Gray Ogre]]''

====Beatdown====
One of the most popular terms in early tournament ''Magic'' could mean a variety of things:
* Verb: To attack with most or all of your creatures every turn, without a thought of [[card advantage]], until you have put your opponent into range for your endgame hammer (such as <c>Kaervek's Torch</c>, <c>Fireblast</c>, or another direct damage spell). Often split in verb form: e.g. "I beat you down for 5". This is frequently the action plan for an [[#Aggro|aggro]] deck.
* Noun: Used as a description of a card or event. "Fireblast was such a beatdown; he was mana-screwed and I wrecked him so the game was a beatdown."
* Noun: The player under more pressure than their opponent to end the game quickly and who therefore must attack as much as possible is "on the beatdown". Failure to recognize "Who's the Beatdown?" is a common, fatal mistake for new players. The pressure comes from the opponent's likelihood of winning the game if they are able to stop the beatdown and [[#Stabilize|stabilize]]. This is a relative determination, but the deck closer to the "aggro" end of the aggro/control spectrum is more likely to be on the beatdown.
* Adjective: Ties in with the beatdown principles above: "beatdown deck; beatdown creature".

====Beater====
A creature that will deliver beats. Also usually implies that the creature has a decently large body but few relevant abilities.

====Beating====
A very good play, usually either a blowout or a threat to which the opponent has no answer. Often implies that it was an unexpected or surprising play. Also shortened to "Ting".

====Beats====
Repeated attacks by creatures or the damage done by those attacks. 

====Beatstick====
A creature that is effective to attack with. These are usually (but not necessarily) large creatures. Sometimes shortened to simply "[[stick]].

====Big====
* Big (creature) – high power and toughness. 
* Big (deck) – higher [[mana curve]] (than another deck) and thus, presumably, more impactful threats.

====Big Butt====
Refers to a creature with high toughness relative to its power, making it ideal for defense. Examples are the 1/4 <c>Horned Turtle</c> and the 1/7 <c>Kami of Old Stone</c>. It is less common, but not unheard of, for a creature with high power and low toughness to be referred to as having a "small butt".

====Bin====
* Noun: the [[graveyard]].
* Verb: to put a card into the graveyard, especially from hand or from the library (see also [[#Mill|mill]]).

====[[Blinking]]====
Exiling a permanent, then returning it to the battlefield, as with <c>Venser, the Sojourner</c>. The term originally referred to <c>Blinking Spirit</c>'s ability to return itself to your hand, and its usage declined along with the popularity of its namesake. It was reintroduced into the lexicon with ''[[Time Spiral]]'''s <c>Momentary Blink</c>.

Used interchangeably with [[#Flickering|flickering]].

====Blank====
A card that is not relevant in the current board state or cannot be cast; a useless card (especially in hand or being drawn).

====Block Monster====
A Standard deck made up of cards all from the same Magic "year," usually connected to a single mechanic.<ref name="Even More R&D"/>

====Bloodlust====
A triggered ability that gives a creature a number of +1/+1 counters when dealing combat damage to a player. For example, <c>Falkenrath Marauders</c> has bloodlust 2 and <c>Erdwal Ripper</c> has bloodlust 1.

====Blow up====
To [[destroy]] (a permanent, especially a land). Interchangeable with "explode" or "exploding". 

====Blowout====
A spell or line of play that is very good and punishes the opponent severely for a decision they made.

====[[Bo1]]====
Best-of-one. A [[match]] consisting of only one [[game]]. In ''[[MTG Arena]]'', this is called [[Arena Standard]].

====Bo3====
Best-of-three. A [[match]] consisting of three [[game]]s. In ''[[MTG Arena]]'', this is called '''traditional''' (e.g. "Traditional Play", "Traditional Ranked", "Traditional Draft").

====[[Board]]====
The collection of permanents currently on the table. Each player has their own "board" and the word also describes the entire battlefield. Usage: "There's a lot of creatures on the board." 

====Board presence====
The collection of permanents a particular player controls in play.

====Board state====
The current situation or state of a game.

====[[Board wipe|Board Wipe]]====
A spell that destroys, exiles, or otherwise neutralizes all creatures currently in play. Famous examples include <c>Wrath of God</c> and <c>Jokulhaups</c>. Also known as a board sweep (or sweeper) in some groups. 

Some board wipes only affect some players instead of all of them; these are known as "asymmetrical" board wipes (e.g. {{Card|Ruinous Ultimatum}}) and usually are significantly higher-cost than usual board wipes.

====Body====
A creature's power and toughness. Also can refer to a creature itself (especially in the context of combat), usually implying that it is reasonable but not amazingly powerful.

====Bolt====
To deal three damage to a target. Originated from <c>Lightning Bolt</c>.<ref name="Duelist 22" /> 

====Bolt Test====
Another term for the [[#Lightning_Bolt_Test|Lightning Bolt Test]].

=====Bolt bait=====
A small, powerful creature which attracts removal spells (like <c>Lightning Bolt</c>). Usually refers to creatures so potentially dangerous that they are killed before they can affect the game.  <c>Hypnotic Specter</c> and {{Card|Birds of Paradise}} are a classic example of bolt bait.

====[[Bomb]]====
A card powerful enough to change the course of the game on its own. Usually used in the context of limited formats, where drafting or opening a bomb greatly improves one's chances. This is largely due to the relative scarcity of quality removal and other answers in limited formats, compared to constructed.

====Bombo====
#A combo which seems to work, but upon further rules clarification is actually discovered to be invalid.<ref>{{DailyRef|attack-bombos-2004-04-15|Attack of the Bombos|[[Mark Gottlieb]]|April 15, 2004}}</ref>
#A [[#Nonbo|nonbo]] - a negative interaction between cards.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/premium-deck-series-slivers-2009-07-28|Premium Deck Series: Slivers|[[Ken Nagle]]|November 09, 2009}}</ref>

====Bonus Sheet====
A full [[print sheet]], usually of [[reprint]]s, that is added to a set in one or more specific slots in a [[booster pack]].<ref name="Even More R&D"/>

====[[Boros]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{R}}/{{W}}. Now used as an [[enemy color|enemy]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Red/White card or deck, such as the ''Boros Bushwhacker'' deck<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/boros-bushwhacker-2009-10-21|Boros Bushwhacker|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|October 21, 2009}}</ref> that was popular during [[Zendikar]]'s time in [[Standard]].

====[[Bounce]]====
An effect or spell that returns a permanent to its owner's hand.<ref name="Duelist 22" />

====[[Bread]]====
Acronym for [[Bomb]]s, [[Removal]], [[Evasion]], [[Aggro]], [[#Dud|Dud]]s. A general guideline strategy for prioritizing picks and building a deck in limited formats.

====Break====
#Of a format, to create a [[deck]] so much more powerful than the other decks that it dominates the format's [[metagame]]. ("After [[Pro Tour]] Paris in 2011, [[Caw-blade]] broke [[Standard]].")
#Of a card, to create a deck in which that card becomes [[broken]]. ("[[Johnny]]'s new deck is an attempt to break <c>Spellweaver Helix</c> in [[Modern]].")

====Brewing====
To think about or design an original decklist or [[rogue deck]]. Sometimes, building decks in a not very well-defined format e.g. after a rotation.

====Brick====
# Failing to draw a desired card during the draw step, or drawing an unwanted card. Usually used in situations where a specific card or card type is needed ("I bricked a land on turns two and three after keeping a one-land opener"). One of several poker-derived terms, from when a drawn community card is unfavorable in Texas Hold 'Em.
# In reference to [[Counter (marker)/Full List#Brick%20counter|brick counters]], a mechanic from the [[Amonkhet block]].

====[[Broken]]====
A [[card]] that's overly powerful - usually, a card that you can't afford to play without if you're playing in those colors.
When a card is officially broken is of some debate within the Magic community; players frequently declare cards they hate to be broken, even if they're not. Likewise, it's a term that's frequently used sarcastically ("Carnival of Souls? Man, that's broken!" or more precisely "Buh-ROKEN!").

====Brown====
A deck comprised of or mainly of [[artifact]]s. Refers to the color of the artifact [[Card frame|frame]] in older sets of ''Magic''.

====Build-around====
A card that encourages a player to build a [[deck]] around it.<ref name="Even More R&D"/>

====Burn====
* [[Direct damage]]. 
* Shorthand for [[mana burn]] (obsolete).

====Burn out====
To defeat an opponent using burn spells and abilities.

====Butt-Breathing====
A [[creature]] [[ability]] that allows the creature to get a toughness boost for a certain amount of [[mana]] (usually white), multiple times in a turn. The term for this is similar to the enchantment aura <c>Firebreathing</c> but with the slang that toughness is referred to the creature's "[[#Big Butt|butt]]". For instance, <c>Tower Drake</c> has butt-breathing: "{{W}}: Tower Drake gets +0/+1 until end of turn." 

===C===
====C====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Colorless]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Cameo mechanic====
A non-deciduous and non-evergreen mechanic that occurs on few cards in a set, often put in as a mechanical call-back to previous blocks, but without the density to be relevant in wider play. Occasionally the mechanic is spelled out in rules text as an Easter egg and to save learning space for newer players. The name is derived from the film and television practice of known characters or actors making short appearances. 

====[[Cantrip]]====
A spell or ability that has "Draw a card" tacked on as an additional effect, such as <c>Cremate</c>, <c>Snakeform</c>, or <c>Wildsize</c>.

=====Slowtrip=====
A cantrip where the card is drawn at later time rather than immediately, such as <c>Feral Instinct</c>. All cantrips printed before ''[[Weatherlight]]'' had the wording "draw a card at the beginning of the next upkeep."

====[[Exile#Capping|Capping]]====
Searching an [[opponent]]'s [[library]] for specific cards and exiling them in order to deprive the opponent of their use at some future time. Originated from [[Jester's Cap]], the first card with the effect. This strategy is effective against [[combo deck]]s which usually rely on one or two specific cards in order to win, and certain [[control deck]]s which have a lot of control elements but very few win conditions. It is significantly less useful against most [[aggro]] decks, which usually don't rely on any specific card to win.

====Card pool====
# In a [[limited]] tournament, the set of cards a player has available to build a deck (in addition to basic land cards).
# The total set of cards that exist in a game or [[format]] for players to use.

====CC====
Short for Casting Cost, the pre-''[[Sixth Edition]]'' term for the overall number of mana required to cast a spell, regardless of color. This term was changed to "converted mana cost" ([[#CMC|CMC]]), and later [[mana value]].

====cEDH====
Competitive [[Elder Dragon Highlander]]. In essence, it's just [[Commander (format)|Commander]] where everyone plays with the best decks out there and tries as hard as possible to win. With the increasing power level of newer commanders and fewer competitive outlets, more and more people are getting into the format.

====Chaff====
Unremarkable or worthless cards. Rubbish cards, not worthy to be part of a constructed deck. Very often used in the context of "draft chaff", where the 42-45 card pool has its useful cards stripped and the remainder left behind.

====Characteristic creature type====
Each [[color]] has an characteristic creature type which is used to typically represent the color in any given set. Characteristic creatures show up many times per set and are found in all rarities, but especially at common. They are smaller humanoids that appear on more mundane cards including [[#Vanilla|vanilla]] and [[#French vanilla|French vanilla]] creatures. The characteristic creatures are:<ref name="Few Words 2"/>
*{{W}} [[Human]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/81095694380/do-all-colors-have-a-characteristic-race-red-has|title=Do all colors have a characteristic race?|March 29, 2014}}</ref>
*{{U}} [[Merfolk]]
*{{B}} [[Vampire]] and [[Zombie]]
*{{R}} [[Goblin]]
*{{G}} [[Elf]]

====[[Chase rare]]====
A valuable rare card that is highly desirable.

====Cheat out/in ====
To play a card, typically with a large mana cost, without paying that mana cost or at a significantly reduced cost. This is commonly done with spells and abilities that put cards from your hand or graveyard on to the battlefield. Contrast [[hardcast]].

====Cheerios====
0-cost spells, or a deck which plays a large number of these spells. The many 0's are reminiscent of the [[Wikipedia:Cheerios|American brand of cereal]], which consists of pulverized oats in the shape of a torus.

====Cheese====
* An early term used to describe any [[direct damage]] spell, or a deck that relied on direct damage spells to win. Early Red Goblin/Lightning Bolt/Fireball decks were called "Cheese and Weenies".
* More recently: any tactic which hopes to avoid the opponent having the right response before it wins the game. Usually a tactic that shouldn't work, statistically speaking.

====Choice====
* High choice: the player is making decisions about that game element. Their input affects how it functions.<ref name="Variance 1"/>
* Low choice: the player is not making decisions about the gameplay element. They don't have any input into what it's doing.<ref name="Variance 1"/>

====Chonky====
A deck archetype with a higher [[mana curve]] (than another deck) and thus, presumably, more impactful threats (see Big).<ref>https://articles.starcitygames.com/premium/its-not-big-its-chonky-all-things-chonky-red-in-pioneer/</ref>

====[[Chump blocker|Chump-block]]====
A [[block]] made solely to preserve the blocking player's life total, where the blocking creature dies without killing the attacking creature.<ref name="Duelist 22" />

====Clock====
A threat that will lead to victory over an opponent in a finite number of turns, thus giving the opponent a known time limit in which to either win or [[answer]] the threat. For example, if a player is at 20 life and an unblockable creature with a power of 4 is played by their opponent, that player is said to be on a 5-turn clock.

====[[Color Pie#Color bleed|Color bleed]]====
A situation where a card has an effect that is usually not found in its colors, such as <c>Mana Tithe</c>, a white counterspell.

====Color screw====
A specific type of [[mana screw]] where a player, while perhaps having plenty of mana/acceleration, lacks the correct color to play certain spells. e.g. A player may have six <c>Mountain</c>s, but lacks the <c>Swamp</c> they need to cast a <c>Wrecking Ball</c>.

====Combo====
*(noun) Short for "combination".
**Card combination: Any combination of two or more cards which produces a beneficial effect, designed to gain an advantage over the opponent.<ref>{{DailyRef|two-card-combinations-2014-06-29|Two-Card Combinations|[[Mike Flores]]|June 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|three-card-combinations-2014-07-07|Three-Card Combinations|[[Mike Flores]]|July 07, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|play-design/philosophy-combo-2017-08-04|Philosophy of Combo|[[Melissa DeTora]]|August 4, 2017}}</ref>
**One of the three basic [[archetype]]s along with aggro and control.
***'''[[Combo deck]]''': A deck or archetype which uses a combo as its victory condition. The deck is designed entirely for the purpose of setting up and protecting the combo.
*(verb) to use the effects of multiple cards to create an advantage or game winning state. Also: "combo off"

====Commune with====
A green naming convention that began with <c>Commune with Nature</c> for looking at the top few cards from one's library and taking one of a particular subset.<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1610154401871859713|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=Mildly Interesting Magic Fact.|date=January 3, 2023}}</ref>

====Control====
Ways in which players use cards to control the flow of the game.<ref>{{DailyRef|play-design/philosophy-control-2017-10-06|Philosophy of Control|[[Melissa DeTora]]|October 6, 2017}}</ref>
*Control card: Any card designed to help a player control cards in the game. Control cards might destroy an opponent's useful cards, keep an opponent from playing useful cards, or force the opponent to discard their cards before they use them.
*One of the three basic [[archetype]]s along with aggro and combo.
**[[Control deck]] or archetype: A deck or archetype which attempts to gain a decisive advantage using control cards to hinder the opponent and protect its victory condition. A control deck makes sacrifices in speed in order to improve chances of playing past an opponent's defenses.
*Part of a deck: The controlling elements in a deck.

====Control Slaver====
A control deck designed to control all of the opponent's turns by recurring <c>Mindslaver</c> with a <c>Goblin Welder</c>.

====Crack====
#To open (a [[booster pack]] or equivalent).
#To sacrifice something for an effect. Most often said of [[fetch land]]s or artifacts. See also [[#Pop|Pop]].
#To attack (usually used as "crack in")
#Overpowered; very good or too good (as "cracked", compare and derived from "broken")

====Crackback====
A counterattack following an attack with most or all of a player's creatures. The damage one would receive "on the crackback" is taken into account when deciding whether to attack or not.

====Creatureball====
A creature with an [[X]] in its [[cost]] determining how big it's going to be. Mostly green. Named in analog to [[Fireball]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2017-2017-06-05|Mechanical Color Pie 2017|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 5, 2017}}</ref>

====Crimp====
Crimping is the rippled press at the top and bottom of each [[booster pack]] to press it closed. A crimped card was misaligned and got caught in the press.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-october-2003-2003-10-01|Ask Wizards - October, 2003|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|October, 2003}}</ref> Crimps can happen on the top or bottom of a card. While crimps are a little less common than miscuts, they're usually desired less by collectors.

====[[Cube Draft|Cubing]]====
Playing [[Cube Draft]].

====[[Curiosity]] ====
A [[saboteur]] ability that draws a card.<ref name="Few Words 2" /> Named for {{Card|Curiosity}}, an Aura granting this effect.

====[[Mana curve|Curve]]====
#The notional mean power level of cards. The power level of a card can be judged by players as being 'above', 'on', or 'below the curve'. For example, the [[power]] and [[toughness]] of most [[CMC]] 2 creatures is 2/2. A 2/2 creature with CMC 2 is considered on the curve, while a 3/3 of the same cost would be above the curve and a 1/1 creature would be below the curve. Often, but not always, creatures that are above or below the curve have a corresponding [[drawback]] or [[ability]] to balance the card.
#Mana curve: the distribution of spells in a deck by converted mana cost. A well-designed curve allows a deck to use all or almost all of its available mana each turn, maximizing its tempo advantages. This is usually of most concern to [[aggro]] and aggro-[[control]] decks.

====Curve out====
To cast a series of spells “on-curve.” For example, a 2-drop on turn 2, a 3 mana card on turn 3, and a 4 mana card on turn 4. See mana curve.

====Cut====
To remove a card from one's deck. Alternatively, a card that “makes the cut” is included in a deck, especially at the time it was built, although often just barely.

===D===
====Damage race====
A damage race (or simply a race) occurs when neither player is able to take firm control of the game. Their only course of action is to try to win the game before the other's creatures strike the finishing blow. Races are most often driven by one or both players having creatures with [[#Evasion|evasion]] (flying, "can't be blocked", etc.).<ref name="Damage Racing">{{DailyRef|level-one/level-one/damage-racing-2015-05-04|Damage Racing|[[Reid Duke]]|May 4, 2015}}</ref>

====[[Daunt]]====
A design term for the creature ability, "Can't be blocked by creatures with power 2 or less."<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/173434420263/ive-noticed-the-prevalence-of-cant-be-blocked|April 29, 2018}}</ref>

====[[Dead card]]====
A card in hand that is irrelevant or unplayable. This may also be expressed with the phrase '''dead draw''' if the card was just drawn from the deck.

====Dead on Board====
A game state where both players know, based on the state of the battlefield and other public information, that one player will lose the game without the further commitment of resources.

"I'm at 4 life and I only have one blocker. If I don't draw a creature this turn, I'm dead on board to my opponent's [[#Alpha Strike|alpha strike]]."

====[[Deciduous]]====
Mechanics that are not [[evergreen]], but may show up from time to time in a set that needs it. It's a tool in [[R&D]]'s toolbox that they're allowed to use, but it's not something they expect to use in every set.<ref name="Few Words 2">{{DailyRef|making-magic/few-more-words-rd-2016-11-07|A Few More Words from R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/evergreen-eggs-ham-2015-06-08|Evergreen Eggs & Ham|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 8, 2015}}</ref> Deciduous mechanics are [[Protection]], [[Hybrid mana]], [[split card]]s, [[Treasure]], and [[double-faced card]]s.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/162425409498/just-listened-to-the-hybrid-mana-episode-of-drive|title=What mechanics and tools are currently considered Deciduous?|June 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Colored artifact]]s, [[Curse]]s, [[Vehicle]]s, and [[Saga]]s<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/674638115102703616/are-sagas-deciduous-yet-or-do-they-need-a-new|title=Are Sagas deciduous yet?|January 28, 2022}}</ref> are also considered to be deciduous.

====Decking====
To run a player's [[library]] out of [[card]]s, thus causing them to lose the game for being unable to draw cards when required to do so (see [[Winning and losing]]). The original method of doing this involved the card <c>Millstone</c>, and is therefore also commonly known as milling (see [[Mill]]) - typically "decked" or "decking" is used when the last cards are removed.

====Deck thinning====
Reducing the size of one's deck to increase the chances of drawing needed cards. This can occur during deckbuilding (when deciding what cards go in or out of the deck) or during a game itself, by taking some action that moves cards out of the library. For instance, [[Fetch land|fetch lands]] thin a player's deck by removing lands from the library.

====[[Devil's Deal]]====
Permanents that start out helping you but have the potential to hurt you in the end. Primary in [[Black]], because it is the color of "power at any cost."

====Digging====
Looking for specific cards for the matchup or situation from your deck, primarily through the use of draw effects, [[looting]] effects, look at the top X cards effects, or reveal the top X cards effects.

====[[Dimir]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{U}}/{{B}}. Now used as an [[allied color|allied]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Blue/Black card or deck.

====Discard outlet====
An ability that allows a player to discard cards at any time, often without paying a mana cost. This allows the cards to be used while in the graveyard and triggers [[madness]] effects.

====Disintegrate====
"If that creature would die this turn, exile it instead." Named after <c>Disintegrate</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/665772581675220992/does-rd-have-a-slang-for-if-that-creature-would|October 22, 2021}}</ref>

====Disruption====
Cards that try to impede opponents' plays or get in the way of their strategy. Usually, this refers to [[hand]] disruption, like [[discard]] spells. However, [[counter]]spells or removal, for example, can also disrupt a [[combo]].

====Dog====
Short for “[[underdog]]” – a deck (or player) that is not favored to win a certain matchup.

====Dome====
#(verb) To deal direct damage to target [[player]].
#A [[player]] being targeted (as in the expression "to go to the dome").

====Dork====
A creature with unimpressive combat stats, to the point that players tend not to use them in combat at all. Commonly used to refer to [[Utility creature|utility creatures]] which have some other relevant ability. For example, [[#Mana dork|mana dorks]], like <c>Llanowar Elves</c>, tap for mana.

====[[Drain life|Drain]]====
A card that causes an opponent to take damage or lose life, while its controller gains life.  Originated from <c>Drain Life</c>.

====Draw Engine====
A card or small group of cards that allows the controller to [[draw]] more cards than usual in a turn, to create or keep up with [[card advantage]] in the game. Often used in the context of the components and strategy of a [[deck]].

====Draw-Go====
#A type of [[control deck]] that, because of its reactive nature, often plays no spells on its own turns. So named due to the control player's turns consisting of drawing a card and passing the turn by saying "go".
#A stagnating period of gameplay in which each [[player]] simply draws a card and passes the turn. A draw-go situation can occur because each player is waiting for the other to make the first move, or when neither player has a beneficial spell to play and controls no important cards on the table. E.g. "We played draw-go for several turns until I found a creature."

====Draw Hate====
A player draws hate when they are targeted by their opponents due to the power of their deck or a specific play. Usually used in the context of EDH.

====Drop====
#A [[permanent]] which can be played without major strategic consideration. Usually used in the context of "2-drop", "3-drop" etc., referring to the turn when a permanent can first be played, which is equal to its [[converted mana cost]].
#See [[#Land drop|land drop]].
#A part of the [[Secret Lair Drop Series]] (see also [[#Superdrop|Superdrop]]).
#(verb) To willingly leave an organized event before its conclusion.

====Duals/[[Dual land]]s====
Any lands that produce two colors of mana, especially the original [[cycle]] of double-typed lands (<c>Tundra</c>, <c>Underground Sea</c>, <c>Badlands</c>, etc.).

====Dud====
A card that is generally not worth playing, either because its mana cost is too high for whatever benefit it gives, or because the benefit it gives isn't particularly advantageous. Also '''Dreg''' or '''Dirt'''.

====Dude====
A creature. Used more often when describing token creatures.

=====Dude Ranch=====
Nickname for <c>Kjeldoran Outpost</c>. Now refers to any land capable of creating creature tokens every turn. 

====Duel====
In the early days of [[Magic]], each [[game]] was called a duel (cf. [[Duel Decks]]).

====Durdle====
Taking game actions that do not have a visible effect on the board state or do not lead directly toward killing one's opponent; taking game actions that "do nothing."<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/xwu3e/etymology_of_the_term_durdle/|title=Etymology of the term "Durdle|date=2013|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> The purpose of durdling is generally to improve one's in-hand card quantity or quality. Durdling is a common feature of defensive decks.

"Dude, you're playing Boros, why all the durdle? Just burn her dudes and swing."

===E===
====E====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Energy]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Eat====
#To block a small creature with a larger one so that only the attacking creature dies.
#Of a creature, to cause another creature to be sacrificed; "My {{Card|Thallid Omnivore}} eats my Saproling."
#Of a creature, to die to a removal spell preventing that spell from being used elsewhere; "My elf ate a Lightning Bolt, which is as much value as I could have hoped to get out of it."

====Edict====
Cards like <c>Chainer's Edict</c>, <c>Cruel Edict</c>, etc. which force a player(s) to sacrifice a creature.

====Eggs====
Cheap artifacts that can be [[#Crack|cracked]] to get mana and/or draw cards. Almost always seen in the context of <c>Second Sunrise</c> decks like [[Stanislav Cifka]]'s winning deck from [[Pro Tour]] ''[[Return to Ravnica]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|event-coverage/video-deck-tech-second-breakfast-stanislav-cifka-2012-10-20|Video Deck Tech: Second Breakfast with Stanislav Cifka|[[Brian David-Marshall]]|October 20, 2012}}</ref>

Comes from the [[Odyssey]] "egg" cycle (<c>Skycloud Egg</c>, <c>Darkwater Egg</c>, <c>Shadowblood Egg</c>, <c>Mossfire Egg</c>, <c>Sungrass Egg</c>).

====[[Elder Dragon Highlander|EDH]]====
Shortened form of [[Elder Dragon Highlander]], the old name of the [[Commander (format)|Commander format]] before it was officially recognized by [[Wizards of the Coast]]. See also [[#Highlander|Highlander]].

=====Emergency Valve=====
A card that is meant to be a [[Hoser]] to a specific set or mechanic, in case the mechanic is too strong, as if the card was a "valve" for a "hose" meant to be used in emergencies. For example, {{Card|Grafdigger's Cage}} is a hoser made in case graveyard-based effects in the original Innistrad block were too strong. Many color Hoser cards are designed to be used in case a specific color or deck becomes too strong, the idea being that you usually will not want to use those cards normally, but they can be swapped out from your Sideboard in case you're playing against a specific deck, such as {{Card|Knockout Blow}}.

====Enabler====
A card that helps a certain [[mechanic]] or [[strategy]].<ref name="Even More R&D"/>

====[[Enemy color]]s====
The five [[Multicolored#Color pairs|pairs of colors]] which are opposite on the [[color wheel]]. The five [[Ravnican guild]]s associated with enemy colors gave them names: [[Orzhov]] ({{W}}/{{B}}), [[Golgari]] ({{B}}/{{G}}), [[Simic]] ({{G}}/{{U}}), [[Izzet]] ({{U}}/{{R}}) and [[Boros]] ({{R}}/{{W}}). These colors are ideologically opposed to each other, although they still have things in common.

====Engine====
A card or combination of cards which produce a powerful, often repeatable, effect which does not win the game on its own, but is effective in “powering” other strategies. An engine often converts one [[resource]] into another. For example, <c>Channel</c> converts [[life]] into [[mana]], <c>Mind Over Matter</c> converts [[card]]s in [[hand]] to [[untap]]s of [[permanents]], <c>Skullclamp</c> converts small [[creatures]] into cards in hand, and so on. Engines often form the heart of [[combos]] and are often restricted in tournaments due to being too effective.

====EOT====
[[End of turn]].

====[[Esper]]====
[[Alara]] [[shard]] representing {{U}}/{{W}}/{{B}}. Now used to describe any Blue/White/Black card or deck.

====[[Enters the battlefield effect|ETB]]====
Short for "enters the battlefield", used to refer to a variety of [[Enters the battlefield effect|abilities which trigger when a creature enters the battlefield]].  Before ''[[M10]]'', this was [[#CIP|"comes into play" or CIP]].

=====ETBT=====
Shorthand for "enters the battlefield tapped", a common [[drawback]] on [[nonbasic]] [[land]]s. Sometimes pronounced "itty bitty". Before ''[[M10]]'', this was "comes into play tapped" or CIPT.<ref name="Few Words 2"/>

====EV====
#Expected Value: the amount of value that you can expect to receive from a given tournament or event. Generally, this means the average value of the prizes for all players minus the entry fee.
#The expected amount of money that you can get from selling cards in a pack. A pack with a high EV means there are potentially one or more cards in it that are highly sought after and go for a high price.

====Evasion====
Any ability of a creature that improves its chances of damaging the defending player by restricting which creatures can block it, like [[flying]], [[landwalk]] or [[unblockable|"can't be blocked"]].

====Explode====
To destroy (usually one or more permanents). Used interchangeably with Blow-Up. "I cast Armageddon. Everyone's lands get exploded."

===F===
====F6====
Passing priority until the end of turn. Born from [[Magic Online]]'s shortcut key for this action. 

====Face====
The opponent, in the context of targeting a spell "to the face". Also [[#Dome|Dome]].

====Faction====
A mechanically and flavorfully distinct group of cards within a set, interacting with other groups within that set (e.g. [[Ravnican guild]]s).<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/faction-packed-2018-10-15|Faction Packed|[[Mark Rosewater]]| October 15, 2018}}</ref>

====Fade====
#To dodge the opponent potentially having or drawing a specific card that will win them the game, heavily disrupt one's plans, or otherwise swing the game in favor of the opponent ("I need to fade their fourth copy of Cryptic Command this turn to have any chance of winning"). Frequently used late-game or when one or both players are in [[#Topdeck|topdecking]] situations.
#In reference to the [[fading]] mechanic and/or its associated [[Fade counter|fade counters]].

====[[Fast land]]====
A [[dual land]] that enters the battlefield untapped if the player controls a low number of other lands.

====Fast mana====
Any effect that gives the user more than one mana greater than the mana they untapped with at the beginning of their turn. It may refer to the powerful mana artifacts like the [[mox]]en, two-mana lands like <c>Ancient Tomb</c>, or single-ability effects that generate more mana than spent, such as <c>Seething Song</c>. Generally avoided in recent times due to the density of effects making larger formats more combo-focused; was in primary red and secondary in black and green before its effective retirement. See also [[List of Magic slang#Ritual|Ritual]].

====Fatty====
A large (usually 4/4 or 5/3 or greater) [[creature]], generally offensive in nature.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/fatty-fatty-two-four-2007-03-26|Fatty, Fatty, Two By Four|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 26, 2007}}</ref> A fatty is the opposite of a ''[[#Weenie|weenie]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/fat-retrospective-2007-03-30|Fat: A Retrospective|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|March 30, 2007}}</ref>

====Fat Pants====
A creature enchantment or equipment that increases the creature's toughness more than it increases its power. Originates from the card <c>Hero's Resolve</c> (aka Heroic Pants), which gives the enchanted creature +1 power but +5 toughness.

====Fetch====
#Noun - A [[fetch land]].
#Verb - To use a fetch land's ability and sacrifice it to find another land.
#Verb - To [[tutor]] up a card; [[search]]ing your deck for a card and putting it into your hand. Tutor, referring to the card <c>Demonic Tutor</c>, one of the first cards to use this mechanic.

====[[FBB]]====
Foreign [[Black border|Black-bordered]]. Usually referring to the first printing of an older [[core set]] in a non-English language.

====Finisher====
A card capable of winning or “finishing” the game outright.

====[[Firebreathing]]====
A [[creature]] [[ability]] that allows the creature to get a [[power]] boost for a certain amount of [[mana]] (usually [[red]]), multiple times in a turn. The ability was first seen on the ''[[Alpha]]'' set's <c>Shivan Dragon</c>, which had the basic form of the ability "{{R}}: <c>Shivan Dragon</c> gets +1/+0 until end of turn". The name comes from the aura <c>Firebreathing</c>, which grants any creature the ability. The concept is that the red mana (fire) turns into a power boost (the fire hurts the creature's enemy more).

====Fire Up====
Temporarily turning a noncreature permanent, such as a [[manland]] or a [[vehicle]], into a creature.

"I'll move to combat, fire up <c>Mutavault</c>, and attack for 2."

====[[Vintage Fish deck|Fish]]====
[[Merfolk]], or a deck using the Merfolk [[typal]] as its core.

====[[Fizzle]]====
When a spell or ability fails to resolve and leaves the stack due to an illegal target(s), or that otherwise resolves without doing anything. 

====Fixing====
#Short for [[#Mana fixing|mana fixing]], as in "to fix one's mana."
#The process used by Wizards of the Coast to create less powerful versions of older, popular, but broken (overpowered) cards. For example <c>Shock</c> is considered a fixed version of <c>Lightning Bolt</c>.

====[[Flicker]]ing====
Exiling a permanent, then returning it to the battlefield, as with <c>Ghostly Flicker</c> or <c>Flickerwisp</c>. Originated with ''[[Urza's Destiny]]'''s <c>Flicker</c>. Used interchangeably with [[#Blinking|blinking]]; attempts have been made to differentiate between returning immediately or at the end of turn, but as spells with Flicker in the name have used both styles, it is still in progress.

====Flipwalker====
A [[double-faced card]] with a ([[legendary]]) [[creature]] that [[transform]]s into a [[planeswalker]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/184647992743/where-are-flip-walkers-one-side-a-creature-on|title=Where are flip walkers (one side a creature) on the storm scale?|May 04, 2019}}</ref>

====Floating====
Refers to a player's unspent [[mana]], especially after that player has just played a spell or ability. Usually, a player will only tap as much mana as required by the particular spell or ability they wish to play, and only when they wish to play it. However, in various situations, a player may leave some amount of mana in their mana pool. Before the rule changes, this caused players to undergo [[mana burn]] upon losing unspent mana.

The most common situation in which this occurs is when a player is using a recurring loop of spells or abilities to produce an arbitrarily large amount of mana. Each iteration of the loop produces extra mana, which is left floating until the player has acquired enough excess mana to achieve their desired end. A play might also do this in cases where they will cast a spell to destroy all lands by making sure they have tapped all the mana from their lands first before casting it.

The rules require a player who has mana in their mana pool after spending some, or when passing [[priority]], to announce what mana is left. This is usually accomplished with a set of dice or a notepad.

====Flunge====
To [[alpha strike]] without doing combat math. Named by LoadingReadyRun.

====[[FNM]]====
Abbreviated form of [[Friday Night Magic]].

====[[French vanilla]]====
A creature that only has a [[keyword ability]].<ref name="vanilla">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/66530551834/wait-i-thought-vanilla-was-no-rules-text-virtual|title=Wait, I thought Vanilla was (...)|November 09, 2013}}</ref>

====FTW====
For The Win. Often declared as "X for the win" where X is the card that [[Winning and losing|wins the game]] (directly or indirectly). The worse the card, the more likely the phrase will be used. "<c>Chimney Imp</c> for the win!!"

====[[FWB]]====
Foreign [[White border|white-bordered]]. The regular printing of a [[core set]] in a non-English language.

===G===
====G====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Green]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Gas====
Cards that you would like to draw, that are relevant, or that “fuel” your game plan. Generally, non-land cards. "This hand is nothing but gas!" Conversely, when you're at the end of the game and are low on resources, you've run out of gas.

====Gauntlet====
A group of decks that are expected in a metagame or top decks to playtest against. "Running the Gauntlet" usually means playing an event where a lot of top decks will be played.

====Geddon====
An effect that blows up all [[land]]s (or at least a lot of them). A shortened form of {{Card|Armageddon}}.

====GG====
Abbreviation for "Good Game." Also said as "geeg" in a more sarcastic form.

====“Gingerbrute ability”====
R&D slang for “can only be blocked by creatures with haste”.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/746930433729708032|title=Is there an internal codename keyword for the Roadrunner’s activated ability?|April 5, 2024}}</ref>

====Glass cannon====
A deck with high potential, but easily disrupted. Glass cannons are usually [[combo deck]]s such as [[Extended All in Red deck|All-In Red]] and Elf-Ball.

====Go big====
To invest some resource (mana is common, but it can be cards in hand or the graveyard, or simply a particular card sequence) to create an effect that is too large for the turn it is cast.<ref>{{DailyRef|how-build/art-going-big-2016-06-20|The Art of Going Big|Quinn Murphy|June 21, 2016}}</ref>

====Go deep====
To play a strategy that is exceptionally ambitious, unlikely, and/or high-risk high-reward. Used primarily when discussing [[Limited]] formats. "You're playing seven copies of <c>Foundry Street Denizen</c>?" "Yeah, I went really deep in this draft."

====Go off====
When a combo player does their (usually game-winning) [[combo]]. 

====Go over====
#To be able to have a more powerful strategy than the opponent, so when both decks operate to their full capacity, yours wins. Strategically puts the onus on the opponent to interact rather than race.
#Attacking with flying creatures, which “fly over” your opponent's non-flying defenders.

====Go tall====
#A creature-based strategy to overwhelm the opponent by attacking with a small number of large creatures. These creatures often outclass or evade the opponent's creatures.
#Strategy where things get stronger over time, e.g. green putting a lot of [[+1/+1 counter]]s on its creatures.

====Go wide====
A creature-based strategy, often making use of [[token]]s, to overwhelm the opponent by attacking with a huge number of small creatures, rather than a few very large creatures (which might be called going 'tall').

====God====
{{For|the creature type|God}}
#Optimal, as in "God hand" or "God draw", the best a player could have. E.g. "With a God hand, this deck can pull off a turn three win." The best possible hand is also called "the nuts" or a "nut draw".
#One of the God cards from [[Theros block]]: legendary enchantment creatures with the subtype God that have indestructible, an ability that makes them not a creature unless you have enough board presence of their color(s), and some other enchantment-like abilities.

====God pack====
#A [[booster pack]] that contains more [[rarity|rares]] than may be expected.
#An exceptionally rare pack from ''[[Journey into Nyx]]'' containing all fifteen [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] [[God]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/divine-gift-2014-04-28-0|A Divine Gift|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|April 28, 2014}}</ref>

=====Goodstuff=====
Also known as "Goodstuff.dek" in online variants of magic. "Goodstuff" refers to a deck that is usually built by including the "best" cards in a single deck. "Delver" decks in Eternal formats are a common example of a Goodstuff deck.

====[[Goldfishing]]====
Playing without an opponent by drawing a starting hand and proceeding to play until a hypothetical [[opponent]] who does nothing is defeated. Used in basic initial deck testing.

====[[Golgari]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{B}}/{{G}}. Now used as an [[enemy color|enemy]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Black/Green card or deck.

====Gravy train====
Within the world of professional ''Magic'', "being on the gravy train" means being qualified for all the Pro Tours. This typically means being a Gold- or Platinum-level pro in the [[Pro Players Club]]. Can also refer to <c>Grave Titan</c>.

====Gray Ogre====
Any 2/2 creature with no abilities that costs three mana. Comes from <c>Gray Ogre</c>. See also: [[#Bear|Bear]], [[#Hill Giant|Hill Giant]].

====Griefer====
A player who enjoys another player's misery, tormenting their opponent by playing [[land destruction]], [[counter]]ing all of their spells, or playing a deck that wins before the opponent can get off the ground. Also a card that furthers that goal.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/172242748858/whats-a-griefer-card|title=What’s a griefer card?|March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/42769689685/so-timmy-is-green-jonny-is-5-colorhas-to-be|title=You need a name for the griefer persona to be black.|February 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/95245080028/i-am-a-griefer-i-enjoy-games-of-magic-where-my|title=I am a griefer. I enjoy games of magic where my opponent doesn't get to play Magic. |August 19, 2014}}</ref>

====Grinder====
Someone who plays game after game after game in order to get qualifying points, esp. at mid-level tournaments like PTQ's.

====Grindy====
In Limited play especially, attempting to win through card advantage and attrition. It can also refer to formats where players amass large board states with no incentive or good ways to attack others.

====Grip====
A hand of cards. A player with seven cards in hand is said to have a "full grip".

====[[Grixis]]====
[[Alara]] [[shard]] representing {{U}}/{{R}}/{{B}}. Now used to describe any Blue/Red/Black card or deck.

====Ground pounder====
A creature with a decently large [[#Body|body]] but without [[evasion]] or many relevant abilities.

====[[Group Hug]]====
A strategy in [[multiplayer]] games based on helping the opponents with effects like <c>Howling Mine</c> or <c>Heartbeat of Spring</c>. A similar strategy known as Bear Hug helps opponents in a way that will ultimately harm them or provide them with an advantage.

====Group slug====
A play on "group hug", a group slug is a multiplayer archetype involving shared pain, usually in the form of direct damage, life loss, or sacrifice. It typically involves permanents with triggered abilities that deal damage to opponents. Group slug decks are most often red or black.

====[[Gruul]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{R}}/{{G}}. Now used as an [[allied color|allied]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Red/Green card or deck.

===H===
====H====
[[Design]] shorthand for unnamed [[Hybrid]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Hack====
To change the type of a card, as with <c>Magical Hack</c>.

====Hard cast / Hardcasting====
[[Hardcast]]ing, or "paying retail", describes playing a spell by paying its mana cost instead of using an alternative cost or other ability. For example, casting a [[pitch spell]] for its mana cost rather than its alternative cost.

====Hard counter====
A [[counter]]spell which counters any spell unconditionally, like <c>Cancel</c>. The opposite would be a soft counter, which can't counter a spell all the time, such as <c>Mana Leak</c>.

====Hard removal====
A [[removal]] effect that directly removes the target (usually a creature) as opposed to e.g. dealing an amount of damage to it or rendering it unusable.

====Hate====
#"X hate", "hate for X". Altering the composition of one's deck not to make it generally better, but to try to lower the effective power of an [[opponent]]'s powerful [[card]] or [[deck]].<ref name="Few Words 2"/><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/gonna-hate-2012-04-20|Gonna Hate|[[Zac Hill]]|April 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|hate-enough-2002-02-19|Hate Is Enough|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 19, 2002}}</ref> For example, in [[Vintage]], [[blue]] cards and artifacts are considered to be considerably more powerful than other cards, and decks often include hate for blue or artifacts. See also: ''[[Metagame]]'', ''[[#Splash damage|Splash damage]]''.
#Hate card. A card that seeks to inhibit the effectiveness or power level of another card or strategy. These cards help to balance the metagame in the event that one card or strategy has become too dominant.
#Hate draft, hate pick. In a [[draft]], a hate draft is a card that a player picks solely to deprive someone else of the opportunity to use it, rather than intending to use the card themself.<ref>{{DailyRef|beyond-basics/dont-hate-draft-2016-07-28|Don't Hate Draft!|[[Gavin Verhey]]|July 28, 2016}}</ref> 

=====Hate Bear=====
A hate card that is also a [[#Bear|Bear]], such as <c>Leonin Arbiter</c> or <c>Ash Zealot</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|ld/hate-bears-commander-2014-10-31|Hate Bears in Commander|[[Sam Stoddard]]|October 31, 2014}}</ref>

====Heater====
Taken from the vernacular of poker, a "heater" is when everything is going right; a lucky streak.

====Heft====
R&D nickname for a word representing combined [[power and toughness]] of a creature.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/689333997084491776|title=Do you think there is design space for converted power and toughness, similar to Ferocious, but looking at power + toughness?|July 9, 2022}}</ref>

====Hellbent====
Having no cards in hand. Originated from the [[hellbent]] mechanic. 

====[[High flying]]====
A creature with flying that can only block creatures that also have flying, such as <c>Cloud Djinn</c>. Generally, a creature with high flying costs less than an otherwise-equivalent creature with flying.<ref name="Few Words 2"/>

====[[Highlander]]====
A casual format in which, excluding basic lands, there can be no two cards with the same name in the deck. The term has its origins in the catchphrase of the movie ''Highlander'': "There can be only one". This format goes by the name "[[Singleton]]" in the official [[Wizards of the Coast]] communications and advertising even though the format is almost exclusively referred to as ''Highlander'' by players. This is most likely to avoid any trademark issues that might arise. An ancestor of the now more popular [[Commander (format)|Commander]].

====[[Prototype creature/Giants|Hill Giant]]====
Any 3/3 creature with no abilities that costs four mana. Comes from <c>Hill Giant</c>. See also: [[#Bear|Bear]], [[#Gray Ogre|Gray Ogre]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/legion-hill-giants-2010-08-16|The Legion of Hill Giants|[[Monty Ashley]]|August 16, 2010}}</ref>

====Hit====
To deal damage (by attacking with a creature).

====Hold up====
To keep resources needed to take a game action available, sometimes at the expense of taking other actions. A fairly common example is when a control player chooses not to cast a spell they could have, and instead passes the turn "holding up" mana in order to be able to [[counter]] a spell on their opponent's turn. " "He was holding up two blue, so I had to play around Counterspell."

====[[Hoser]]====
A [[card]], [[deck]], or style of play that is extremely powerful against another certain deck or [[archetype]]. E.g. <c>Wrath of God</c> "hoses" or is a hoser of creature-based decks. ''See also:'' [[#Hate (card hate/strategy hate)|Hate]].

====House====
A card that is extremely powerful.

===I===
====Iconic creature type====
Each [[color]] has an iconic, or marquee, creature type which is well known as the creature representative of everything the color embodies. Iconic creatures show up only a few times per set (and many times only once).<ref name="Few Words 2"/> They are almost exclusively rare or mythic rare and show up on splashable cards.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/care-bite-2009-10-19|Care for a bite?|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/building-better-monster-2013-11-11|Building a Better Monster|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 11, 2013}}</ref> The current iconic creature types are:<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/94374637933/there-has-been-lots-of-conversation-on-hydras-as-the|title=What are the iconic creatures for the other colors?|August 10, 2014}}</ref>
*{{W}} [[Angel]]
*{{U}} [[Sphinx]]
*{{B}} [[Demon]]
*{{R}} [[Dragon]]
*{{G}} [[Hydra]]

====[[Imprisoning]]====
To stop a creature from blocking and attacking.

====[[Draw#Red|Impulse draw]]====
An effect that exiles cards from the top of your library and lets you play them on that turn only, such as <c>Act on Impulse</c>.

====Impulsing====
Not to be confused with impulse draw.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/665962054909378560/is-it-confusing-that-impulsing-which-draws-a|October 24, 2021}}</ref> Effects that make you look at the top N cards of your library and put a card of a certain type in your hand. Named after <c>Impulse</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/665871175283523584/is-there-an-rnd-term-for-effects-that-make-you|October 23, 2021}}</ref>

====In the air====
When attacking, combat damage dealt by creatures with flying. See also [[#On the ground|on the ground]].

====Inevitability====
In a given matchup, the [[deck]] with inevitability is the one that becomes more and more likely to win as the game continues. While still a theoretical science, inevitability can go to the deck with more threats, a better late game, an unstoppable trump card, or the deck that simply has more cards in its library to prevent [[#Decking|decking]].<ref>{{DailyRef|level-one/inevitability-2014-12-08|Inevitability|[[Reid Duke]]|December 8, 2014}}</ref>

====Inflatable====
See [[#Pumpable|Pumpable]].

====Instantment====
An [[enchantment]] with [[flash]]. ''[[Mirage]]'' and ''[[Visions]]'' both contained spells of this sort, as did ''[[Mercadian Masques]]'', ''[[Theros Beyond Death]]'', and ''[[Prophecy]]''.<ref name="Strategy Guide" />

====[[Izzet]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{U}}/{{R}}. Now used as an [[enemy color|enemy]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Blue/Red card or deck.

===J===
====Jam====
# To play a spell confidently or enthusiastically. Often implies that a blowout is possible, but the caster of the spell has weighed the odds and decided that it is the right play. Also to pick a card in a draft under similar conditions.
# To attack, usually with all your creatures (or [[team]] as in "Jam with the team").

====Jank====
A [[card]] or [[deck]] that does not appear to be very good, often with regards to consistency. Also: a '''janky''' card.<ref name="Duelist 22" />

====Jacetice League====
Derogatory term for the period of time where the main story of the game revolved around a group of planeswalkers led by [[Jace Beleren]] and [[Gideon Jura]], formally known as [[the Gatewatch]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/4bx8f7/maro_responds_to_jacetice_league_rebuttal/|title=MaRo responds to Jacetice League Rebuttal|author=Pterodactyl42|date=March 25, 2016|publisher=reddit/r/magicTCG}}</ref> Previously used due to a perceived overuse of Jace and the rest of The Gatewatch in the storyline from [[Magic Origins]] til [[Hour of Devastation]], being also in a cultural time period where superhero adaptations (and subsequent crossover team-ups) were prevalent. The term lessened in usage when the Gatewatch was soundly defeated in [[Hour of Devastation]], and the group's importance in the story diminished greatly after [[War of the Spark]]. Derived from "Justice League".

====[[Jeskai]]====
Clan of [[Tarkir]] representing {{U}}/{{R}}/{{W}}. Now used as a [[wedge]] nickname for any Blue/Red/White card or deck.

====[[Jund]]====
[[Alara]] [[shard]] representing {{B}}/{{R}}/{{G}}. Now used to describe any Black/Red/Green card or deck.

====Junk Rare====
A [[rare]] card that is considered to be of little or no value, and is quite cheap as a result. Examples include <c>Dismiss into Dream</c> and <c>One with Nothing</c>.

===K===
====Karnstruct====
A 0/0 [[colorless]] [[Construct]] artifact creature token with “This creature gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control.” Named for <c>Karn, Scion of Urza</c>, the first card to make such tokens. This nickname persisted because all of the next five cards to make such a token were associated with Urza, Karn's creator.

====Keeper====
#A [[deck]] built to abuse the most powerful cards in [[Vintage]].
#A favorable initial [[hand]] of [[card]]s.

====Kitchen table====
A [[casual]] play environment, often without clear formats. The name stems from the idea that it's players playing magic with what they have "on the kitchen table". The opposite of [[tournament]] play, kitchen table or “cards I own” is also the most popular way to play the game.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/650264472874876928/in-terms-of-popularity-or-volume-of-play-is-the|May 4, 2021}}</ref>

====Knobbiness, knobby====
The versatility of a [[mechanic]]. A knob is a variable that [[Play Design]] can adjust to balance a card. The more variables, the knobbier the mechanic is and the greater chance play design can balance it.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/660389872624893952/whats-an-interesting-rd-term-that-i-probably|title=What's an interesting R&D term that I probably haven't heard of?|August 24, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Even More R&D"/>

===L===
====L====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Land]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Land drop====
The one land you can play every turn, as opposed to any other lands you may be able to get onto the battlefield. See also [[#Drop|drop]], [[#Curve|curve]].

====Landfall====
Triggered ability that occurs whenever a land enters the battlefield, named after the [[Landfall]] mechanic. For example, <c>Evolution Sage</c> or <c>Tireless Tracker</c>.

====Landstill====
A [[deck]] featuring <c>Standstill</c> and [[manland]]s.

====LD====
[[Land destruction]] {{-}} a viable but unpopular strategy for victory in which a player uses spells and abilities to destroy an opponent's land, making it impossible for them to play any spells.

====Life swing====
A measure of a player's damage to the opponent plus any life gained in the same turn. A metric usually only used in racing situations, as both player's life totals are under stress, or in a single impactful combat that changes the [[tempo]] of the game.

====Lightning Bolt Test====
AKA '''Bolt Test''' - A relatively simple test that measures the viability of a creature through whether or not it dies at a tactical loss to the one-mana removal spell <c>Lightning Bolt</c>, relevant in Modern and Legacy. Not necessarily definitive, but is a general starting point. While <c>Fatal Push</c> is another benchmark, Lightning Bolt is more pertinent due to being usable in all archetypes, while Fatal Push has been limited to midrange.

====Legs====
Refers to a [[creature]] or other [[permanent]] that has an ability that a non-permanent card can produce. For example: <c>Spore Frog</c> is a "<c>Fog</c> with legs".

====Lenticular====
Cards that appear on their surface to be very simple, but once you understand more about how to use them, they become more complex. The term comes from a technique, sometimes used on trading cards, where multiple images are stuck on a card with a system that allows you to see different pictures as you tilt the card.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/lenticular-design-2014-03-31|Lenticular Design|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 31, 2014}}</ref> <c>Force of Will</c>, <c>Brainstorm</c>, and even [[fetch land]]s can all fall into this category.

====Lethal====
Opportunity to deal enough damage to deplete the opponent's [[life]] to 0. "Swinging for lethal" refers to attacking with enough creatures to win the game.

====[[Lobotomy]]====
A spell or effect that allows a player to search a zone - particularly a player's library - for specific cards and exile them. So-called since the first card printed with this effect was <c>Lobotomy</c>; other more recent examples include <c>Surgical Extraction</c>, <c>Lost Legacy</c>. and <c>Slaughter Games</c>.

====Lock, lockdown====
During a match, a period where a [[player]], through card interactions, has made it difficult or impossible for the [[opponent]] to mount an effective defense. "Breaking out" of a lockdown takes skill and luck, but often an effective lockdown will allow the lockdown player to secure victory before the other player can break out. In many tournament communities, decks are built with the tools to break out of locks, reducing the effectiveness of most lockdown cards. As a result, some decks specialize in lockdown strategies and use an arsenal of locks in order to form an exceptionally strong lockdown, followed by a swift victory.

====Loose====
# Loose play: a play that could have had a bad result. Often, it implies a mistake or incorrect play which could have been bad but wasn't. 
# Loose deck: a risky, inconsistent deck.

====[[Looting|Loot]]====
The action of drawing then discarding a card.  Originated from {{Card|Merfolk Looter}}.

====Lucksack====
A consistently lucky person, usually used with a slightly resentful tone, i.e., "He is ''such'' a lucksack, that <c>Wrath of God</c> won him the game!" Also can be used in verb form, i.e., "He lucksacked into that <c>Corrupt</c>!"

====[[Lucky charms]]====
Cycles of artifacts that let you gain 1 life when you cast a spell of a certain color.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/93466621098/what-do-people-mean-when-they-say-lucky-charms-as-of|title=What do people mean when they say "lucky charms" as of late?|July 31, 2014}}</ref>

===M===
====M====
[[R&D]] lingo for a mana symbol of a specific, arbitrary color.<ref name="Abbreviations"/> Additionally, N and O are used for a second and third color in [[multicolored]] card costs. Commonly used for discussing [[cycle]]s. See also [[#WUBRG|WUBRG]].
Usage:
*"In [[Mirage]], all five colors have a rare [[Dragon]] that costs 4MM."
*"Blue is the only color that hasn't gotten a [[Vanilla]] [[Bear|2/2 for 1M]] yet."
*"The five Obelisks of ''[[Shards of Alara]]'' each tap to add M, N, or O."

Before ''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'', the letter "[[#C (lingo)|C]]" was used. Now "C" is used for {{C}}, colorless mana.

====Maindeck====
To include a card in your [[Deck|starting deck]]. Most often used in reference to cards that are usually placed in the [[sideboard]], but for various [[metagame]] reasons are desirable to have in the first game of a match.  For example, one might maindeck <c>Hurkyl's Recall</c> to have an advantage if artifact decks are prevalent in the metagame.

====Magical Christmasland====
A theoretical situation where a deck or combo goes as hoped, such as a situation where your deck has no disruption or a perfect opening hand. Usually a derogatory statement to refer to a highly unlikely event, such as someone being able to win the game on turn one with a specific hand.

====[[Manland]], man land====
A [[land]] that can change into a [[creature]]. The most famous of these is <c>Mishra's Factory</c> from the ''[[Antiquities]]'' expansion.

====[[Mana curve]]====
The distribution of cards across casting costs in a deck. A deck is said to have a low curve if it has mostly cheap spells, while it can be said to have a high curve if it has more expensive cards. The top of the curve (or "top end") is the most expensive card(s) in your deck. A card is said to be "played on curve" if it is played as early as you could intend to cast it (usually on the turn corresponding to its mana cost).

====Mana dork====
A low-cost creature such as <c>Llanowar Elves</c>, <c>Birds of Paradise</c> or <c>Noble Hierarch</c> that produces mana. Variant of [[#Dork|dork]].

====[[Mana fixing]]====
An effect that helps you avoid [[#Color screw|color screw]] by helping you get the correct colors of mana to cast your spells. [[Dual land]]s are a common example.

====Mana flood====
During a match, a situation where a player draws too many [[land]] cards and/or acceleration cards, resulting in too much available [[mana]] and too few useful [[spells]].

====Mana optimization====
A theory that is the basis for the [[mana curve]]. Mana optimization theory states that a [[player]] who best uses the [[mana]] available to them in every turn will [[Winning and losing|win]] the game. Its most basic level applies to the player who uses the most mana in a turn, e.g. a player who spends 5 mana in a turn will be able to do more and more powerful things than a player with only 3 mana available. Conversely, the player who spends fewer resources to produce the same effect will have greater mana optimization.

====Mana rock====
An [[artifact]] that taps for [[mana]], such as <c>Manalith</c>, <c>Fellwar Stone</c>, or <c>Dimir Signet</c>. See [[Mana stone]].

====Mana sink====
A card that provides an opportunity to spend excess mana on.<ref name="Even More R&D"/> They usually have [[Activated ability|activated abilities]] that do not [[tap]] (and thus can be used repeatedly). Examples are <c>Sacred Mesa</c> ({{W}}), <c>Sphinx of Magosi</c> ({{U}}), <c>Pestilence</c> ({{B}}), <c>Dragon Roost</c> ({{R}}) and <c>Centaur Glade</c> ({{G}}).

====[[Mana screw]]====
Having too little mana, too much mana, or the wrong color(s) of mana.
#When a [[player]] doesn't draw enough mana generation cards (usually [[land]]) for their [[deck]] to work effectively.
#When a [[player]] doesn't draw cards that produce the correct colors for their [[deck]] to work effectively (also known as "color screw"). In [[multicolored]] decks, there is a chance of having lands that provide mana of one color and spells in hand that require another color.
#When a player draws only land cards and/or mana sources (usually called "[[mana flood]]"). They won't have enough spells in hand to cast.

====Mana threshold====
The minimum amount of mana needed to be able to cast most of the spells in a deck.<ref name="Strategy Guide" /> Rarely used.

====Mana weaving====
The act of separating the main deck from the land cards, shuffling the deck, and then sticking the lands one by one into the deck to evenly distribute the land throughout the deck and reduce the chance of [[mana screw]]. This is against the rules and is one of the most well-known ways to cheat.

====[[Mardu]]====
Clan of [[Tarkir]] representing {{R}}/{{W}}/{{B}}. Now used as a [[wedge]] nickname for any Red/White/Black card or deck.

====MBC====
Mono-[[Black]] [[Control deck#Mono Black|Control]] or Mono-[[Black]] [[Creatures]].

====Ménage-à-Tron====
The event of having <c>Urza's Tower</c>, <c>Urza's Mine</c>, and <c>Urza's Power-Plant</c> (the [[Urzatron]]) in one's opening hand. From "ménage à trois".

====Memory====
A [[design]] term for what a player must remember to play correctly. Visual aids for the game state such as [[counters]] or the [[tapped]] motion reduce memory requirements. A card or mechanic that is confusing to play with correctly because of this factor is said to have ''memory issues''.

====[[Metagame]]====
(noun) The game outside the game – choices about what and how to play dictated by logic or community standards, rather than rules. 

(verb) To make choices about what deck to play or specific cards to include in a deck based on known or anticipated choices other players have recently made, or will make. 

====[[Midrange]]====
A general archetype of deck focused on playing medium to larger-sized creatures. Aggressive decks that flip the standard [[aggro-control deck]] archetype by attempting to control the early game, then going aggressive with large creatures in the mid to late game. 

====MWM====
Abbreviation for [[Magic:_The_Gathering_Arena/Events#FNM_at_Home/Midweek_Magic|Midweek Magic]], a common event in ''[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]]''.

====[[Mill]]====
#Putting cards from a player's library directly into their graveyard. Originally slang for the effect of the card <c>Millstone</c><ref name="Duelist 22" />, it became an official [[keyword action]] in Core Set 2021. 
#A deck built around forcing the opponent(s) to empty their library. If a player attempts to draw a card while their library has no cards in it, they lose the game.
#A "self-mill" deck is a deck built around emptying your own library, and then winning by playing a card such as <c>Laboratory Maniac</c> and attempting to draw another card. Alternatively, a player may self-mill to facilitate graveyard-based strategies, such as [[reanimation]].

====Mirror breaker====
A sideboard card that is incredibly powerful in the [[mirror match]], though not as efficient elsewhere. Most commonly used in reference to large blue [[uncounterable]] creatures ({{Card|Pearl Lake Ancient}}, {{Card|Sphinx of the Final Word}}, {{Card|Hullbreaker Horror}}) that are control mirror breakers, which are the most important subset of these designs, as otherwise control mirrors would take far too long in rounds.

====[[Mirror match]]====
A match between very similar or identical [[deck]]s, as though each player were playing their own image in a mirror.
=====75-card mirror=====
A mirror match in which both players' decks and sideboards are identical.

====[[Mise]]====
A very lucky happening, most commonly used to refer to a needed card being drawn at the right moment ("Drawing that [[Black Lotus]] was an excellent mise,") or the act of doing so ("I mised that Lotus just in time"). [[MiseTings]] (so named for the expression) defined a mise as "something unusually great or unexpected" or the act of obtaining such. The expression "mise" is derived from the phrase "might as well" - as in 'mise well draw that wrath'. Its meaning has since changed to the usage described above, however. The joke set ''[[Unhinged]]'' had a card called <c>Mise</c>, which played on this by giving the player a great card advantage, but only if that player is lucky enough to know the top card of their library.

====Misplay====
A mistake or blunder.

====Mono-====
A deck composed of a single color of cards. E.g.: Mono-blue, mono-red.

====Multi-Culti====
A chic, less ridiculous expression for five colors aka WUBRG.

====Mythic Uncommon====
An uncommon (or non-rare) card that is extremely powerful in Limited, and so is picked more aggressively than most of the rares in a given set.

===N===
====N====
[[Design]] shorthand for an unnamed [[Numbers and symbols|number]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Narrative equity====
The concept in [[card]] [[design]] that people give weight to choices based upon the ability to later tell a story about it.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/narrative-equity-2018-07-09|Narrative Equity|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 9, 2018}}</ref> 

====Narrow card====
A card that is only effective in a specific set of situations.

====[[Naya]]====
[[Alara]] [[shard]] representing {{R}}/{{W}}/{{G}}. Now used to describe any Red/White/Green card or deck.

====Netdeck====
Any deck copied from the internet or a published tournament listing. The practice of using such decks is referred to as "netdecking". Sometimes used in a derogatory manner towards players who copy a deck simply because it is popular or successful, without actually understanding how to play it.

====[[New World Order]]====
[[R&D]] lingo for the practice of strictly limiting the complexity of [[Rarity|commons]]. Introduced to the community by [[Mark Rosewater]] in one of his columns. Abbreviated NWO.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/new-world-order-2011-12-05|New World Order|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 05, 2011}}</ref>

====Nonbo====
An interaction between two or more cards that is disadvantageous instead of having a profitable effect (which would be a [[#Combo|combo]]). An example is <c>Crystalline Sliver</c> and <c>Magma Sliver</c>, since Crystalline Sliver gives shroud to each [[Sliver]], preventing them from being targetable by other Slivers with Magma Sliver's ability.

====Nope====
Slang for counterspells typically found in blue decks. Nope also represents the symbolic phrase for a deck commonly composed of control or removal spell cards. Nope {{-}}<c>Counterspell</c> and often symbolizes a blue mage.

====The Nut====
A very good draw or play.

=====Nut Draw=====
The ideal opening hand.

===O===
====O====
Previously [[design]] shorthand for [[gold]] cards (multicolored). Now shorthand for a specific, arbitrary color. See [[#M|M]].<ref name="Abbreviations"/>

====Off-color====
An effect with a cost not in the main colors of a deck. It may refer to [[splash]]es, activated abilities (<c>Shalai, Voice of Plenty</c>), additional or alternative spell modes (<c>Travel Preparations</c>, <c>Vigorous Charge</c>), or mana producers (<c>Temple of Plenty</c> or <c>Mox Emerald</c> in a nongreen deck).

====On a stick====
Refers to a [[permanent]] that has a repeatable ability that another card can produce. For example, <c>Kamahl, Fist of Krosa</c> is "<c>Overrun</c> on a stick". Can also refer to a card imprinted on an <c>Isochron Scepter</c>, which itself is sometimes referred to as "The Stick". More often than not refers to an artifact having the ability (hence, stick).

====On the ground====
When attacking, combat damage dealt by creatures without flying. See also [[#In the air|in the air]].

====[[Orzhov]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{W}}/{{B}}. Now used as an [[enemy color|enemy]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any White/Black card or deck.

====Outs====
Ways for a losing player to get back into the game. See also [[#Mise|mise]], [[#Topdeck mode|topdeck mode]].

Usage: "When he enchanted his <c>Uril, the Miststalker</c> with <c>Shield of the Oversoul</c>, my only out was to topdeck a <c>Terminus</c>."

===P===
====Package ====
A subset of cards in a deck for a specific purpose, often a set of cards that can be found off of a tutor. For Example, a common <c>Stoneforge Mystic</c> Package can include <c>Lion Sash</c>, <c>Batterskull</c>, and <c>Kaldra Compleat</c>.

====[[Pain land]]====
An untapped [[dual land]] that deals 1 damage to its controller to produce colored mana.

====Pants====
An Aura or (less commonly) equipment that buffs a creature. Most often used in reference to Bogles decks wherein the goal is to play a cheap creature resistant to removal, such as the namesake <c>Slippery Bogle</c>, and then attach many cheap but powerful "pants" to it to make an unstoppable cheap threat.

=====Parasitic=====
A negative term that refers to a mechanic or card that cannot synergize with other cards, and thus requires only a selection of specific cards to work. For example, {{Card|Evermind}} is a parasitic card because it can't be cast normally on its own and must be [[splice|spliced]] onto an [[Arcane]] spell.

====Pass out====
A card that is the last one picked in a booster draft. 

=====Paupers=====
The players of the [[Pauper Magic]] format.  Paupers spend less money on their hobby than players who also use uncommons and rares (especially [[#Chase rare|chase rares]]).

=====Payoff=====
An element of a card that rewards the player for jumping through whatever hoops the card is making the player jump through. Usually used when you want to communicate that a card doesn't have a big enough reward.<ref name="Even More R&D" />

====[[Permission]]====
A style of play that involves hardcore/dedicated counter-magic. The permission player attempts to [[counter]] every important spell the opponent plays, and simply to draw plenty of extra cards to ensure more counters are available. The term "permission" comes from the way the opponent will end up asking whether each of their spells resolves or is countered.

====Piker====
A 2/1 creature for two mana. Named after {{Card|Goblin Piker}}.

====Pile====
#A deck or collection of cards that are either unplayable or would appear to be unplayable. Cards that are unreliable or anti-synergistic or weak may constitute a 'pile'. This term is often used to describe a deck that attempts to do something, and succeeds, but does so inefficiently. For example, "My deck is an absolute pile, but somehow it wins." It can also be used to refer to "The Stack," a collection of interesting cards used as a shared deck in the format of the same name. This usage is primarily to distinguish it from the concept of the [[stack]].
#The groups of cards that one sets up as an effect of cards like <c>Doomsday</c>, <c>Gifts Ungiven</c>, and <c>Fact or Fiction</c>.
#Any deck based on individually strong cards that don't immediately appear synergistic, such as Czech Pile.

====[[Ping]]er====
A creature with an ability that deals 1 damage to a target ("pinging" it), usually by tapping. The archetypal examples are <c>Prodigal Sorcerer</c> and <c>Prodigal Pyromancer</c>. See also [[#Tim|Tim]].

====Pip====
A mana symbol in a card's casting cost, when counting them. Not to be confused with [[converted mana cost]]. For example, <c>Necropotence</c> has 3 pips and converted mana cost 3.

====Pitch====
To [[discard]] or [[exile]] a card from your hand as part of a cost. For example, <c>Force of Will</c> may be cast by pitching a blue card and paying one life (see [[pitch spell]]). {{Card|Wild Mongrel}} allows you to pitch a card to give it +1/+1.

====Play around====
To play in such a way that you neutralize a given card that you suspect your opponent has in hand. "He was holding up two blue, so I had to play around Counterspell."

====Play pattern ====
The most common way a card or mechanic gets played.<ref name="Even More R&D" />

====Playable====
#A card that is good enough to play in the context of drafting.
#A card that is good enough to be played in a certain format, e.g. “This card might be Standard-playable.”

====[[Player type]]s ====
The characterization of a ''Magic'' player by [[psychographic profile|psychographic]] or [[aesthetic profile]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/timmy-johnny-and-spike-2002-03-08|Timmy, Johnny, and Spike|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 11, 2002}}</ref> Cards are usually designed with one or more of these profiles in mind. References to them in casual ''Magic'' play are usually in jest, but most players do nonetheless tend to subscribe to one of the styles or a combination of them.
*[[Timmy]]/Tammy. Playing for the experience (swinging big creatures, making big plays and spells).<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/designing-timmy-2009-03-09|Designing For Timmy|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 09, 2009}}</ref>
*[[Johnny]]/Jenny. Playing for the mental challenge, building complex and creative decks (such as making unique archetypes, trying to make a deck that goes against the meta).<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/designing-johnny-2009-08-03|Designing For Johnny|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 03, 2009}}</ref>
*[[Spike]]. The tournament player, aggressive and competitive. Spike gets their greatest joy from proving something by [[Winning and losing|winning]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/designing-spike-2009-11-30|Designing For Spike|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 30, 2009}}</ref>
*[[Mel]]/Melvin. Someone who enjoys the delicate and interesting interactions between the mechanical components and mechanics. They like to try and create combos, and try to pull them off in a game.<ref name="melvorthos">{{DailyRef|making-magic/vorthos-and-mel-2015-08-31|Vorthos and Mel|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 31, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Vorthos]]. The "[[flavor]] player", someone who enjoys the flavor of ''Magic'' separated from the game itself. A Vorthos evaluates the components like the name, the illustration, and the card concept both in isolation and in conjunction. Vorthos players might prefer decks that share some theme, such as zombies, or of one of Magic's various factions.<ref name="melvorthos" />

====Playset====
Four copies of a card. This phrase is generally used either when referring to the number of cards in a deck or the number of which a player is in possession. Cards are often bought and sold in playsets.

====Poke====
See [[#Pinger|ping]].

====Politics====
Players using their cards to help one another to defeat other players in [[Commander (format)|Commander games]]. From a game design standpoint, “political” means that some decisions are based on an element of diplomacy, that players have the ability to talk to each other to influence how their opponents choose to play. If you’re playing a multiplayer game and the rules don’t dictate your priorities, it’s political. The only way for it not to be political is if you have house rules that dictate your actions (“you must always attack the opponent with the highest life total.”). If your opponents are able to suggest what you should do, it’s political.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/686376913031282688|title=You've said that you usually don't like multiplayer because you dislike politicking but I think that maybe you've just been playing with the wrong people.|June 7, 2022}}</ref>

====Pop====
The act of [[sacrificing]] a [[permanent]], usually for an [[effect]], e.g. popping <c>Pyrite Spellbomb</c> to deal two damage to a target. In some areas, also known as "cracking" said permanent.

====Pre-revisionist====
Any ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' literature published before the advent of the [[Weatherlight Saga]] in 1997. Much of this information has since been invalidated by more recently published material, but anything not specifically contradicted is still considered canon.

====Pro-====
Short for [[protection]] from something, e.g. pro-blue means protection from blue.

====Prison====
An effect, usually white but sometimes blue, which prevents a creature from attacking and/or blocking. Owes its name to <c>Prison Term</c>, but also includes effects such as <c>Pacifism</c>.{{see also|Prison deck}}

====[[Proxy]]====
A [[card]] that represents another card in [[casual]] play. (Not used in reference to [[checklist card]]s, which are allowed in tournaments.)

====[[Creature pumping|Pumping]]====
To temporarily increase a creature's power and/or toughness with a [[spell]] or [[ability]]. A “pump spell” is a spell that does just that (e.g. <c>Giant Growth</c>).<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/modern-mailbag-2015-05-18|Modern Mailbag|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 18, 2015 }}</ref>

==== Punch====
When a spell or ability causes a creature to deal non-combat damage to a creature, player, or planeswalker based on its power. Differs from a [[fight]] in that no damage is dealt in return, and from [[biting]] in that it is not limited to damaging creatures.

====Punt====
An extremely bad play, or the act of making such a play. "I punted pretty hard when I cast an <c>Obliterate</c> against an opponent with <c>Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre</c> in play."

===Q===
====Q====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Untap]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

===R===
====R====
*Short set code for [[Revised Edition]]
*[[Design]] shorthand for [[Red]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====Race====
A [[board state]] in which both players are attacking every turn. They are “racing” to deal 20 damage first.

====Rainbow====
Five-color. Used to describe a deck, card, or activation cost. Similar to '''[[WUBRG]]''' (for '''W'''hite bl'''U'''e '''B'''lack '''R'''ed '''G'''reen), or '''Chromatic''' (since cards like <c>Chromatic Lantern</c> or <c>Chromatic Orrery</c> provide 5 color [[Mana fixing|fixing]]).

====[[Rakdos]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{B}}/{{R}}. Now used as an [[allied color|allied]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Black/Red card or deck.

====[[Ramp]]====
An effect that [[#Accel|accelerates]] your mana, giving you an additional, reusable mana source beyond the usual one land per turn.

====Rate====
The evaluated power level of a card, used instead of power due it being a game term otherwise. Usually an R&D term, and used by other game designers, as they are likely to refer to things as intentionally designed "above" or "below" rate rather than "broken" or "weak" as players would. A '''rate monster''' is a card where the mana cost is very aggressive for its effect.<ref name="Even More R&D" />

====RDW====
Red Deck Wins, used to describe a monocolored [[Red]] [[Burn]] deck.

====[[Reanimation]]====
An effect that returns a card from a graveyard directly to the battlefield. Named for the card <c>Reanimate</c>, from ''[[Tempest]]''.

====Reclamation====
Any effect that gets cards out of the graveyard for reuse. Used most often to refer to effects like <c>Reclaim</c> and <c>Disentomb</c> that return a card from the graveyard to the hand.

====Recursion====
A [[combo]] or strategy in which the goal is to reuse the same card or cards repeatedly to gain an advantage. For example, using {{Card|Ghostly Flicker}} with {{Card|Archaeomancer}} and another permanent with an ETB ability to get the Ghostly Flicker back and trigger the ETB effect multiple times.

====[[Red Zone]]====
A previously imaginary area where creature combat occurs. "Sending them into the red zone" is slang for [[attack]]ing with creatures. Some official play surfaces now have a red area where attacking and defending creatures are moved to make it easier to see which creatures are in combat. <ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/red-zone-2002-10-24|The Red Zone|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 24, 2002}}</ref>

====[[Removal]]====
Spells that destroy or otherwise remove an opponent's permanents.

====Reset button====
A card which wipes out one or more whole categories of permanents as if resetting the board state back to where it started. For example <c>Armageddon</c>, <c>Jokulhaups</c>, <c>Nevinyrral's Disk</c> and <c>Wrath of God</c>. See [[List of Magic slang#Board Wipe|board wipe]]. Typically only said in the context of "pushing the reset button".

====Response, Responsive strategy====
Plays made in order to neutralize an opponent's threat. Responsive cards form the strategic base of any [[control]] deck.

====Reverse sweep====
A match win where the player or a team loses the maximum amount of games in the match and wins out from there. Often used only in larger number of games than the standard best of three. Most common for five-game Pro Tour Top 8 matches where the structure is two games without sideboard and three games with; most decks do not have sideboards so impactful as be favored three games in a row (three games of an 80%-20% matchup gives a player 51% to win overall) which makes the event notable and becomes more impressive from there.

====Rip====
To draw one or more cards. Usually implies that the cards are good, or were drawn exactly when needed. See [[#Topdeck|Topdeck]].

====Ritual====
Cards like <c>Dark Ritual</c> or <c>Rite of Flame</c> that add a certain amount of mana as a one-time effect. More specifically, rituals tend to refer to the instant or sorcery spells that generate a net positive of mana for the purposes of [[Storm]] combo decks. Some creatures and other spells generate some mana less than or equal to their cost but are rarely considered in the same category. Rituals originated in black but have been shifted to red.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/154963021273/whats-the-flavour-justification-for-reds|title=What's the flavour justification for Red's "rituals" being called rituals?|December 25, 2016}}</ref>

====The Rock====
Short for "The Rock and His Millions," a term referencing WWE wrestler The Rock, who always spoke of his millions of fans. Describes most Black/Green midrange decks. The original version of the deck abused the combo of <c>Phyrexian Plaguelord</c> and <c>Deranged Hermit</c>.

====[[Rogue deck]]====
A deck that does not seem to follow the trends of a particular [[metagame]]. Using a deck or strategy that is unorthodox or non-conventional.

====Roping====
The act of intentionally disconnecting a digital Magic client rather than properly conceding, causing the winner of the match to waste a few minutes while they wait for the timer to elapse. The name comes from the MTG Arena timing bank which is visualized as a slowly shortening golden rope. On Magic Online, the chess clock could also be forced to run out, but stronger ban enforcement made it rarer. May also refer to stalling or slow play.

====RTFC====
Abbreviation for "Read The F***ing [[Card]]" or "Read The Full Card". Used facetiously against players who ask questions that the card itself answers if they had read it more carefully. 

====[[Rules baggage]]====
[[Design]] term for when the mechanics of a keyword, subtype, or other aspect of a card requires remembering additional rules that aren't very clear just from the text.

====Rule Zero====
A philosophy in casual play groups that broadly states that rules changes are permissible, as long as the asker communicates their intentions beforehand.

====[[Rummaging|Rummage]] ====
The action of first discarding a card then drawing a card. Originating from "<c>Rummaging Goblin</c>". Also known as "red [[Looting]]", since this variant is red-exclusive.

====Run====
#To include a card in a deck.
#To play a card, especially when you think there is a high chance it will be immediately countered or destroyed.

===S===
====S====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Snow]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====$.25 word====
R&D slang for big words in names most players don’t know.<ref>{{TwitterRef|Maro254|1575903342345134082|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|title=The R&D slang for big words in names most players don’t know is “$.25 words”.|date=September 30, 2022}}</ref>

====[[Saboteur]]====
An ability that triggers when a creature deals combat damage to a player, e.g. <c>Scroll Thief</c>.

====Sac====
#[[Sacrifice|Sacrificing]] a permanent. As an example, a player might remark, "I'll sac my <c>Chromatic Sphere</c> to my <c>Grinding Station</c>." A sacrifice is often done to pay a [[cost]], so a player might also say "I sac two mountains to play <c>Fireblast</c>."
# Short for [[#Lucksack|Lucksack]] (q.v.)

==== Sac Outlet====
Short for sacrifice outlet. An ability that allows a permanent to be [[sacrifice]]d. This kind of ability is useful to [[#Fizzle|fizzle]] spells that have other useful text, like <c>Electrolyze</c> (preventing the caster from drawing a card), or to prevent side-effects, like the exile clause on <c>Lava Coil</c> (allowing the creature to go to the graveyard, where it may be used again). Sac outlets are also a key component of strategies and combos which rely on creatures dying, such as those involving {{Card|Academy Rector}}.

====Sandbag====
To stockpile cards in one's hand rather than playing them. Sometimes done as a bluff but often for value, like holding lands to utilize [[landfall]] or [[retrace]], or holding creatures to play around board sweepers.

====Sarnath'd ====
A slang term used on Internet ''Magic'' forums indicating acknowledgment and occasionally frustration that a user has been beaten to the punch; specifically, the term denotes that the user has expressed an essentially identical thought as another user who has posted immediately before the user. The term "Sarnath'd" originates from [[MiseTings]], where a user ("Sarnath") would repeatedly beat others to the punch.

====Scam ====

* (verb) To cheaply recur a ''[[Modern Horizons II]]'' free evoke elemental incarnation, particularly <c>Grief</c>, in an effort to quickly pull ahead of an opponent (to “scam” a win out of them)
* (noun) A prison-midrange deck built around cheaply recurring the evoke incarnations, like the Rakdos deck that won ''[[Pro Tour The Lord of the Rings]]''

====Scoop====
To [[concede]] the game, "scooping" one's cards off the table. As lands are typically arranged in a line left-to-right, it provides a convenient way to collect cards together.

====[[Scrub]]==== 
#A player (noun) that makes consistent, unwise choices; whether in regard to the construction of a deck or decisions made during gameplay. Usually, this is someone who is relatively inexperienced with tournament play. Another characteristic of such a player is the outright refusal to improve.
#To scrub (verb) can also be used to describe an adept player who makes one or more significant player errors during a game or tournament. In that situation, the player in question is said to have "scrubbed out".

====Seeding====
An element in a standard set that is meant to synergize with an element in a future one, "seeding" synergy between the two sets. For example, {{Card|Outlaws' Merriment|Throne of Eldraine}} is meant to synergize with the [[Party]] mechanic in [[Zendikar Rising]], as it makes Warrior, Cleric, and Rogue creature tokens, which are three of the four creature types needed for a "Full Party".

====[[Selesnya]] ====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{G}}/{{W}}. Now used as an [[allied color|allied]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Green/White card or deck.

====Send in====
To attack with (a creature).

====Serve====
To attack.

====Shadowban====
# A change in the competitive system that renders a previously high-profile card or deck to become unplayable - in effect, the target is not banned in the conventional sense, but the community recognizes that the change renders the target functionally banned. Can also derive from bans when the linchpin of a deck is banned but the expensive cards are not, but the banning drops the value of the expensive cards regardless. Examples are the Companion rules change (affected <c>Obosh, the Preypiercer</c> and <c>Umori, the Collector</c>), the <c>Davriel's Withering</c> errata (demolished the <c>Vesperlark</c> combo), and the banning of <c>Felidar Guardian</c> (devalued <c>Saheeli Rai</c> as a card).
#A blacklisting of a player outside of the DCI. As the DCI has no general authority on non-Magic behavior, the DCI cannot issue official actions against players that have not violated tournament rules. However, there are anecdotal incidents of players being excluded from sanctioned tournaments with no public statement. The term is controversial due to the severity of actions that tend to warrant such an action and the nebulousness of the standard of which such actions are judged.

====[[Shard]]====
A [[multicolored|three-color]] grouping of a color and its two allies, forming an unbroken chain or [[#Arc|arc]] on the [[color wheel]]. The five [[Shards of Alara]] gave them names: [[Bant]] ({{G}}/{{W}}/{{U}}), [[Esper]] ({{W}}/{{U}}/{{B}}), [[Grixis]] ({{U}}/{{B}}/{{R}}), [[Jund]] ({{B}}/{{R}}/{{G}}), and [[Naya]] ({{R}}/{{G}}/{{W}}).

====Shave====
To remove one or more copies of a card from a deck but still keep at least one copy, especially when [[sideboard]]ing.

====Shell====
An overall deck type or archetype which houses a particular card or combo. A shell might be a particular set of cards that are central to making a deck function, while the other cards in the deck might be freely swapped in and out as one pleases. A Legacy Nic Fit Deck. for example, usually has a shell of <c>Veteran Explorer</c>, <c>Cabal Therapy</c>, and <c>Green Sun's Zenith</c>, and is notable for being a shell that can house a variety of cards. 

====[[Shock land]]====
A [[dual land]] with two basic land types that enters the battlefield tapped unless the person playing it pays two [[life]]. Named for <c>Shock</c>, a spell that deals two [[damage]], since having the land come in untapped is similar to shocking yourself.

====Side (in/out)====
The act of exchanging cards to and from the [[sideboard]] between games. A card added to the main deck is ''sided in'', and a card removed from the main deck is ''sided out''.

====Signal====
(noun) A clue on what colors or archetypes [[draft]]ers to your right and left are drafting based on what cards are present or missing in a pack.

(verb) The send an implicit message to other drafters by taking or not taking specific cards or colors while drafting.

====Signpost====
An [[uncommon]] [[Multicolored|gold]] card, usually two colors, that points you in the direction of what a color pair should be doing in a certain set i.e. what the [[draft archetype]]s are.<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/signpost-selesnya-2020-06-11|Signpost Selesnya|[[Blake Rasmussen]])|June 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Even More R&D" />

====[[Singleton]]====
#A single copy of a card included in a deck or sideboard.
#A format in which only one copy of each card is permitted.

==== [[Silver bullet]]====
A card that, while not necessarily used all the time, is particularly good in a specific scenario or against a certain type of deck, especially if only one copy of the card is played in your deck. These cards are often found in [[sideboard]]s and some decks play a wide variety of silver bullets with [[#Tutor|tutors]] to find the correct one for the situation.

====[[Simic]]====
[[Ravnican guild]] representing {{G}}/{{U}}. Now used as an [[enemy color|enemy]] [[Multicolored#Color pairs|color pair]] nickname for any Green/Blue card or deck.

====[[Sligh]]====
A mono-[[red]] [[deck]] [[archetype]] that usually wins by gaining tempo on the opponent by playing cheap creatures followed by red damage spells that are used to destroy possible blockers. Named after a player who popularized the archetype. 

====[[Slow land]]====
The opposite of a [[fast land]]. A [[dual land]] that comes onto the battlefield untapped if the player already controls a certain number of other lands.

====Slow-roll====
Deliberately delaying a play. Tactically, a player may avoid playing a winning spell if they believe the situation is not a certainty to win, despite being probable to win. Theatrically, stalling after drawing a card may also be considered slow-rolling, giving their opponent a small amount of hope that they haven't lost yet.

====Smash====
To attack.

==== Smirk====
To attack, especially for a low value with a low number of weak creatures that you wouldn't normally be able to, because the opponent currently has no defenses (e.g. their creatures are all [[Removal|removed]] or tapped).

====Snap====
#To do something with confidence that it is the right decision. A "snap-[action]" (snap-[[draft|pick]], snap-block, snap-[[mulligan]], etc.) is decided upon quickly without requiring much thought.
#Using <c>Snapcaster Mage</c> to recur an instant or sorcery from your graveyard.

==== Sol Land====
A land which taps for 2 colorless mana, such as {{Card|Ancient Tomb|3=TMP}} or {{Card|City of Traitors|3=EXO}}. Named after {{Card|Sol Ring|3=LEA}}, an artifact which taps for 2 colorless mana.

====[[Legacy Solidarity deck|Solidarity]]====
A combo deck featuring many blue instants and capable of winning on its opponent's turn.

====Sorcery speed====
Refers to effects that can only be played at times when a player could normally cast [[sorcery]] spells. In contrast to [[Fast effect|fast effects]], which may be played whenever a player has [[Timing and priority|priority]].

====Spellslinger====
A [[draft archetype]] in which you play a minimal number of [[permanent]]s and generally win by some sort of [[combo]] or massive [[burn]] spell.

==== Spellslinging====
Employees of [[WotC]] sitting down at a table at a [[tournament]] and challenging any and all comers to games of ''Magic'', often showing off new cards.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/spellslinging-2011-03-04|Spellslinging|[[Tom LaPille]]|March 04, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/spellslinging-2012-06-08|Spellslinging|[[Zac Hill]]|June 08, 2012}}</ref>

====Speed bump====
A small creature used to block a large attacker, holding it off for one turn.<ref name="Strategy Guide" /> See also [[#Chump-block|chump-block]].

====[[Splash]]====
To add cards of one [[color]] or strategy to a deck predominantly of another color (or colors) or strategy. E.g. "My deck is white-blue splash red."

====Splash damage====
A situation where ''[[#Hate|hate]]'' against a popular deck hurts the strategies of other decks, even though they hate may not have been directed at them. This is an important consideration for deck-builders. See also: ''[[Metagame]]''

====Square====
A creature whose power and toughness are the same, for instance, a Kalonian Tusker (3/3) or an Angel token (4/4). A square creature is equally strong on attack or defense, such as a [[#Bear|Bear]].

====Squirrelcraft ====
The combo of <c>Squirrel Nest</c> and <c>Earthcraft</c>, which generates any number of 1/1 [[Squirrel]] [[token]]s.

====Stabilize====
When one player is on the defensive (i.e. is not the [[#Beatdown|beatdown]] player) they can be said to have “stabilized” when the aggressive player can no longer make profitable attacks and cannot win the game on one or two draw steps. Functionally, the aggressive player has run out of [[tempo]] and the game is now about attrition and card advantage. Also known as "turn[ing] the corner".

====[[Stalking]]====
A design term for the creature ability "Can't be blocked by more than one creature." A reference to <c>Stalking Tiger</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/178266363158/is-there-a-design-nickname-for-cant-be-blocked|September 19, 2018}}</ref>

====Staple====
A basic effect that occurs in most [[set]]s: things like [[direct damage]], [[counterspell]], or [[discard]].<ref name="Even More R&D" />
Also a prominent card in many decks in a particular format, eg. {{Card|Sol Ring}} is a Commander staple.

====[[Stats]]====
Also “combat stats” or “statistics”: a creature's [[power and toughness]], as well as any relevant combat abilities, like [[first strike]].

====[[Vintage Stax deck|Stax]]====
A [[Vintage]] artifact deck designed to lock down the opponent with cards like <c>Smokestack</c>, <c>Sphere of Resistance</c>, and <c>Crucible of Worlds</c>. A Deck originally created as a metagame deck to counteract Gro-A-Tog and its fragile land base. Origin of the name has multiple theories: a derivation of the phrase $T4KS, which means The Four Thousand Dollar Solution; or partially inspired by the deck's extensive use of stacking multiple triggered abilities in upkeep; or the card name plural for Smokestacks is homophonic with "stax". The name has now come to refer to the archetype of prison decks that specifically cause the continual sacrifice of permanents.

====Still Had All These/Deez====
Named after a song created by group of Magic players "The Gatherin", a form of poor sportsmanship by a winning player in which they reveal part of their hand after the game, showing "all these" other spells they had yet to cast. Despite the grammatical inconsistency, the term is used like a verb (i.e. "Don't 'had all these' your opponent").

====[[Stompy]]====
An aggressive mono-[[green]] [[deck]] consisting of outrageously cheap fatties, generally with a mana curve topping off at two, and pump spells. Several Stompy decks run only nine lands total; by comparison, a lean Sligh deck wouldn't dare run less than eighteen, and most tournament-quality decks run a minimum of twenty-four.

====[[Strictly better|Strictly better, strictly worse]]====
A card is "strictly better" than another card if it's not only better overall, but there's also no reasonable situation where the other card would be better - there's no drawback to balance out the advantages. For instance, {{Card|Counterspell}} is a strictly better {{Card|Cancel}} in almost every situation where both cards are legal.

====Strip====

* To sacrifice a land to destroy another. Comes from <c>Strip Mine</c>.
*To remove cards from an opponent's hand, usually by causing them to discard.  "I stripped his counter with Duress so I could combo off"

====[[Stripland]] ====
Any land card that can be sacrificed to [[Land destruction|destroy another land]]. 

====[[Sultai]]====
Clan of [[Tarkir]] representing {{B}}/{{G}}/{{U}}. Now used as a [[wedge]] nickname for any Black/Green/Blue card or deck.

====[[Super trample]]====
See [[Unstoppable]].

====Superdrop====
A collection of [[#Drop|drops]] in the [[Secret Lair Drop Series]] that are released at the same time.

====Superfriends====
A deck primarily focused on [[planeswalkers]].

====Sweeper ====
A [[board wipe]]r.

==== Swing====
#To [[attack]] with one or more creatures.
#A dramatic change in the game such that one player who was previously losing is now winning.
#A change in the difference between life totals. E.g. casting <c>Lightning Helix</c> targeting an opponent creates a "6-point life swing."

====[[Synergy]]====
The small, positive interactions of individual cards in a deck.

===T===
====T====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Tap]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====Tabling====
If a card “tables” while you are drafting, that means you have seen it twice, i.e., you passed it once and it went all the way around the table. See also [[#Wheel|wheel]].

====[[Tap|Tapped out]]====
Describes a player who has run out of [[mana]], usually because all their mana-generating permanents have been tapped. Generally describes an player who shouldn't be able to act until their untap step. An important strategic and game design term, as high-impact spells are meant to tap their controller out and are vulnerable to uninterrupted counterplay. Conversely, a player who does not tap out could play instants, but their spells should be weaker for that luxury. 

====Tank====
To tank, or go into the tank, is to think about your next play for a long time. Derived from "think tank".

==== Tax====
An effect that makes opponent's spells more expensive to cast, as if imposing a tax on them. E.g. <c>Reidane, God of the Worthy</c> taxes noncreature spells with CMC 4 or higher by {{2}}.

==== [[Team]] ====
The collection of all your creatures in play. As in, “I’ll send in my team.”

====Tech ====
A previously undiscovered improvement to an existing strategy, deck, or archetype. A card or use of a card which is an improvement on deckbuilding “technology” in the current [[metagame]]. Often an individual's innovation appearing in large tournament events, serving to throw other strategies off balance by changing some part of how a deck usually works. Tech is generally researched in secret by an individual or a team prior to a large tournament in order to keep competitors from knowing what tricks will be put into a competing deck. Tech cards are frequently advantageous in specific scenarios and are thus included in response to expectations of the metagame.

==== Telegraph====
To make play decisions or tap your mana in a way that leads your opponent to believe you have a given card.

====[[Tempo]]====
How efficiently a player uses their mana. Tempo decks are usually mid-range decks that want to try and keep playing efficient answers and threats.

====[[Temur]]====
Clan of [[Tarkir]] representing {{G}}/{{U}}/{{R}}. Now used as a [[wedge]] nickname for any Green/Blue/Red card or deck.

====[[Threat]]====
A card, usually a creature, puts an opponent under pressure. A threat puts the opponent under a [[#Clock|clock]] or forces them to have an [[#Answer|answer]] in order to avoid losing the game.

====[[Titan]] ability====
R&D slang for “when this enters the battlefield or attacks…”<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/726833213053550592|title=Does R&D have a short hand for “when this enters the battlefield or attacks…”?|August 27, 2023}}</ref> Also called "titan trigger".<ref>{{TwitterRef|ofsaintdraft|1776738605035360632|author=[[Jeremy Geist]]|title=Today's card-by-card stories are about a pair of legends with what Studio X calls "titan triggers".|date=April 7, 2024}}</ref>

====Throw====
AKA fling, chuck, etc.
The act of expending cards (discarding from hand or sacrificing permanents) for the output of targeted damage. Usually in the context of having a repeatable engine capable of doing this conversion. Supposedly named after <c>Fling</c>, as many mechanically similar cards suggest an improvised projectile using that said resource. Examples include <c>Goblin Bombardment</c>, <c>Seismic Assault</c>, {{Card|Pia and Kiran Nalaar}}, <c>Goblin Grenade</c>, <c>Stormbind</c>.

====Tier====
Tiers are a 'measurement' to classify a card's or a deck's power level (tier 1, tier 2, tier 3).<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-april-2003-2003-04-01|Ask Wizards - April 2003|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|April, 2003}}</ref> The power level can mean that a deck becomes popular {{-}} but weaker decks can be counted as tier 1 due to popularity, while stronger decks may live in lower tiers due to difficulty.

====[[Turn structure|Timewalking]]====
#To take an additional turn. Originates from <c>Time Walk</c>, the first card which allowed a player to take an extra turn.
#To prevent an opponent from taking meaningful action on their turn, essentially giving yourself two turns in a row.

====To the Air(!)====
Originating with the card <c>Angelic Blessing</c>, this can be said whenever a creature without [[flying]] gains flying. More frequently said when the now-flying creature is about to deal lethal damage.

====Top 8====
In tournament play, a single-elimination tournament whose participants are chosen from those of a previous [[#Swiss|Swiss]] tournament. Winners will play each other in later rounds, and losers play each other for ranking. Placing anywhere in the top 8 is widely seen as a success for the player, their deck, and their team.

====Topdeck==== 
#To play a card you just drew, especially at exactly the time you need it. This is also known as a "[[#Mise|mise]]" or "[[#Rip|rip]]". Many non-scientific "techniques" have been developed to perform a perfect topdeck, but many tournament players build their decks using "[[#Tutor|tutors]]", which are cards that actually move desired cards to the top of the deck. The chances of a top deck are dependent on the number of "wanted" cards left in the deck. For a [[#Burn|burn]] deck to top deck something <c title="Bolt">Lightning Bolt</c>-like is not as impressive as drawing a card of which there is only one copy of in the deck and which only covers a single situation.
#To have no cards in hand so that you are topdecking (sense 1) every card you draw.
#To put a card on top of your library from somewhere else, usually your graveyard or elsewhere in your library.
# A deck based around the idea of manipulating the cards in your hand and library to have certain cards at the top, such as [[Miracle]] cards.

=====Topdeck Mode=====
Topdecking (sense 2): where a player has no cards in hand and relies solely on the cards they draw each turn to be able to play effectively. It is a situation players try to avoid as it means the player relies entirely on the luck of the draw. See also [[#Draw-Go|Draw-Go]].

====Top-down====
An approach to design that builds a card, [[set]] or [[block]] around a flavorful concept, molding [[mechanic]]s to fit that concept.<ref name="Even More R&D" /> For example, [[Theros block]] is a top-down design based on Greek mythology, and many of its cards are top-down designed with specific myths in mind.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/top-down-and-goal-2003-06-09|Top Down and Goal|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 09, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/188816024908/i-was-pretty-dismayed-to-read-you-didnt-feel|title=I had so many tropes I thought I'd see in ixalan, I hope you can do them someday!|November 04, 2019}}</ref> The opposite is '''bottom-up''' design, where the mechanics come first and the [[flavor]] comes later.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/156497883478/i-think-the-reason-some-people-are-confused-about|title=The distinction between top-down and bottom-up design|January 28, 2017}}</ref> All sets based on a real-world mythological setting are designed with a top-down approach.

====...to the head/dome/face ====
'X to the head/face/dome' is a term used to announce damage dealt directly to a player instead of a creature. E.g. 'Deal 3 to the head' or '<c>Fireball</c> for 6 to the dome'.

====Tradebait====
A card that a player trades for not because they want the card for a deck or their collection, but because they might be able to trade it later on to someone else for cards that they are after.

====Trade up====
Both definitions have the same connotation of getting more out of an exchange.
#(outside the game) When a person trades card(s) that are worth a lower value for cards that are worth more. This generally refers to the value of the individual cards, not the total value of all cards traded—for example, trading fifteen $1 cards for one $10 card is still considered "trading up."
#(within the game) Getting an exchange that is equivalent on the card advantage front, but other factors make it clear one side is advantaged, through mana spent (e.g. <c>Flame-Blessed Bolt</c> on <c>Belligerent Guest</c>), inherent card power (e.g. <c>Grisly Ritual</c> on <c>Olivia's Attendants</c>), or using a temporary or irrelevant resource (<c>Daybreak Combatants</c> trading with <c>Hookhand Mariner</c>). An important concept in regards to leveraging combat tricks.

====[[Tribe]]====
A large group of [[creatures]] which share a [[creature type]] and work well together in a deck. Such a deck is called a [[tribal]] deck. An example of a competitive tribe is [[Goblin]]s, which work together in order to win with astounding numbers and force. [[Rebel]]s previously had a similar strategy, allowing the Rebel player to win with sheer numbers and utility of creatures. Many other competitive tribe-based decks also exist. [[Wizards of the Coast]] replaced their use of the term "tribal" with "typal" in 2023 but has not discouraged players from continuing to use either term.

====Trick, Combat trick====
A spell or ability used by a player to alter the outcome of a combat. Common ways in which this is achieved include increasing or decreasing a creature's power and/or toughness and by granting or removing abilities from a creature. Some instants remove the creature entirely from combat or play, and typically only count as a trick if the target is restrained to creatures in combat. <c>Giant Growth</c> is a classic green combat trick.

====[[Tuck]]====
To put a card on the bottom of its owner's library, or shuffle it into its owner's library. For example, <c>Condemn</c> tucks an attacking creature.

==== Turn On====
When a deck is able to activate its game plan. Usually this means its combo can be activated, its engine is available, or its combo is ready. For example, a Tron deck is considered to have "Turned On" when all of its [[Urza's]] lands are in play, as it can then cast large spells for cheap.

====[[Tutor]]====
A spell that allows a player to search their library for another card. Many such cards have "Tutor" in their name, a pattern established by <c>Demonic Tutor</c> and the four tutors from [[Mirage block]] (<c>Enlightened Tutor</c>, <c>Mystical Tutor</c>, <c>Worldly Tutor</c>, and <c>Vampiric Tutor</c>) and continued throughout the years with cards like <c>Diabolic Tutor</c>. Can be used as a verb, as in "I'll tutor up my combo piece." See also [[#Silver bullet|silver bullet]].

====[[Typal]]====
A deck or strategy that relies on using many [[creatures]] that share a [[creature type]] and/or mechanically care about that creature type. Typal decks aim to utilise the unique strengths of a creature type to their advantage. [[Sliver]] decks focus on playing creatures that buff each other while [[Goblin]] decks use cheap Goblins and burn spells to defeat opponents before they can respond. [[Wizards of the Coast]] replaced their use of the term "tribal" with "typal" in 2023 but has not discouraged players from continuing to use either term. 

===U===
====U==== 

*Short set code for [[Unlimited Edition]].
*[[Design]] shorthand for [[Blue]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====UBER====
Acronym for "Ultimate Big Endgame Ramp." A drafting strategy that aims to accelerate its mana development (e.g. with card draw, non-land mana sources, etc.) and survive the early game with defensive creatures and removal spells, in order to win with an expensive late-game threat.

==== Ultimate====
A [[planeswalker]]'s ability that provides the biggest effect at the cost of removing most loyalty counters. For example, the ultimate effect of <c>Garruk, Primal Hunter</c> has Garruk's controller put a 6/6 green Wurm creature token onto the battlefield for each land they control.

==== [[Un-set]]s====
Joke sets produced by Wizards of the Coast. So far there have been five Un-sets: ''[[Unglued]]'', ''[[Unhinged]],'' ''[[Unstable]]'', ''[[Unsanctioned]]'', and ''[[Unfinity]]''. Cards from the first four Un-sets have silver borders (for example, <c>Ass Whuppin'</c> affects only silver-bordered permanents, meaning cards from Un-sets) and are not legal in any tournament, except for basic lands (which have black borders instead, or no borders in the case of Unstable). Beginning with ''Unfinity'', all cards in the set have black borders and some are [[Eternal (format)|Eternal-legal]]. The non-legal cards are marked with a silver [[acorn]] symbol at the bottom of the cards, instead of a silver border.

==== [[Utility land]]====
A land that has an effect other than mana generation, such as <c>Rogue's Passage</c>.

===V===
====Value====
Any sort of advantage or extra damage or effect that a player can get. Often, it is [[card advantage]] but for example, also playing a card with kicker without paying a kicker cost gets less “value” than waiting until you can cast it kicked. 

====[[Vanilla]]====
A creature with no rules text<ref name="vanilla" /> (text that grants the creature extra abilities), for example <c>Grizzly Bears</c>.

==== Variance====
How differently a gameplay element plays out from one play experience to the next.<ref name="Variance 1">{{DailyRef|making-magic/variance-part-1-2019-12-16|Variance, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 16, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Even More R&D" /> Circumstances or factors that are not entirely under a player's control, such as what decks they get paired against, which cards they draw and how often they win the opportunity to play first in a match. Players often talk about reducing variance by making plays whose outcome they can predict more accurately.

====[[Voltron]]====
A deck archetype with the goal of casting one creature, then using other cards such as [[Aura]]s and [[Equipment]] to enhance that creature and making it a true threat to the opponent. The archetype's name derives from the Japanese animated series [[Wikipedia:Voltron|''Voltron'']] which features several small robots that combine into one large robot.<ref>{{WebRef|url=http://www.gatheringmagic.com/robbyrothe-041112-building-your-own-voltron-through-white-cards/|title=Building your own Voltron through white cards|author=Robby Rothe|date=April 11, 2012|publisher=Gathering Magic}}</ref>

====Vomit out====
To play or cast a lot of cards. 

"Once I cast <c>Eureka</c>, I'll just vomit out a bunch of stuff." 

===W===
====W====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[White]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====Walker ====
Short for [[planeswalker]].

====[[Wedge]]====
A [[multicolored|three-color]] grouping of a color and its two enemies that form a wedge shape, or an acute triangle, within the [[color wheel]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/wedge-2011-06-06|On Wedge|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 06, 2011}}</ref> The five clans of the ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]'' set, each associated with a wedge, gave them names: [[Abzan]] ({{W}}/{{B}}/{{G}}), [[Jeskai]] ({{U}}/{{R}}/{{W}}), [[Sultai]] ({{B}}/{{G}}/{{U}}), [[Mardu]] ({{R}}/{{W}}/{{B}}), and [[Temur]] ({{G}}/{{U}}/{{R}}).

====Weenie====
A small [[creature]], with low [[power]] and [[toughness]]. Any [[archetype]] or [[deck]] which uses Weenies as the victory condition is also referred to as a Weenie Deck, most commonly in white, hence "White Weenie". Usually abbreviated to lowercase 'w' to distinguish it from the color W and preceding it by the color of the deck; [[White Weenie]] becomes Ww, and Black-White Weenies becomes BWw.

====Whale====
A player who is willing to spend large amounts of money on [[collecting|collectible]] products. Usually a whale constantly buys high value sealed product, such as [[Secret Lair]] drops, [[From the Vault]] cards, and [[Collector Booster]]s. 

====Wheel====
#Of a card in [[booster draft]], to make a complete lap around the table without being drafted.<ref name="Even More R&D" />
# ("wheel everyone") To force all players to discard their hand and then draw cards, as with <c>Wheel of Fortune</c>.
#Effects like Wheel of Fortune and {{Card|Windfall}}, usually designed to make one or more players discard their hand and draw a new set of cards.

==== Whiff ====
When using an effect that causes a player to look at a number of cards from the top of their deck, pick some of them and get rid of the rest, a situation when there turn out to be no legal choices for picking.

==== Win condition====
The method that a [[deck]] uses to win; for example, a rapid stream of cheap [[creatures]] for aggro, a specific creature (e.g. a [[#Voltron|Voltron]]) and support, [[milling]] the opponent's library, or an [[Alternate-win or -loss card|alternative win condition]] card such as <c>Azor's Elocutors</c>. The power of individual cards would then determine the strength of the deck's win condition, while disreputability and stability determine its consistency. Often shortened to "win-con".

====Windmill slam====
A [[booster draft]] pick that is especially easy to make because of how powerful and exciting the card is. Can be a noun or a verb. Comes from the "windmill" action of taking a card from the pack, raising one's arm high, and slamming it down on the table in excitement. Often shortened to "Slam". See also: [[bomb]], [[#Snap-|snap-pick]].

"<c>Archangel Avacyn</c> is a windmill slam first pick in ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'' draft."

"Hey, what would you have taken out of this pack?" "Slam the [[planeswalker]]. It's a [[bomb]]."

====WotC or Wizards====
Short for [[Wizards of the Coast]], the company behind Magic, sometimes humorously pronounced as "Wot-see".

====[[Wrath effect|Wrath]]====
A spell or effect which destroys or removes all creatures in play – named for the original card, <c>Wrath of God</c>.

====[[WUBRG]]====
The five colors of Magic: '''W'''hite, Bl'''u'''e, '''B'''lack, '''R'''ed, and '''G'''reen. Pronounced "woo-berg."

=== X===
====[[X]]====
[[Design]] shorthand for a variable on a card.<ref name="Abbreviations" />

====X-spell====
A spell with [[X]] in its casting cost.

===Y===
====Yard====
Short for [[graveyard]].

===Z===
====Z====
[[Design]] shorthand for [[Multicolor]].<ref name="Abbreviations" />

== Obsolete terms==
Changes in the game have rendered some slang terms obsolete, while others have simply fallen out of use over time.

===0-9===
====[[187]]====
A [[creature]] with a "[[#CIP|comes into play]]" ability which damages or destroys another permanent, like <c>Flametongue Kavu</c> or <c>Nekrataal</c>. The term "187" comes from the California penal code for a murder <ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/89455801148/actually-187-is-the-california-penal-code-for-murder|title=Actually 187 is the California Penal Code for murder|June 21, 2014}}</ref> (Flametongue Kavu and Nekrataal, both tournament staples in their time, killed a lot of creatures.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/89458238353/to-further-clarify-the-term-187-started-being-used|title=To further clarify, the term "187".|June 21, 2014}}</ref>).

Mostly deprecated, with most people using [[#CIP|CIP]] (Comes Into Play) or [[Enters the battlefield|ETB]] (Enters The Battlefield) instead.

===A===
====Arc====
A [[multicolored|three-color]] grouping of a color and its two allies, which form an arc (or an obtuse triangle) within the [[color wheel]]. These tricolor combinations are now known as [[#Shard|Shards]]. 

===B===
====Barn====
A player who follows around much better, more famous players, hoping to benefit from their experience and success (short for "barnacle'). Usually negative. Its history comes from its association with the term "[[#Hull|Hull]]". This, however, is the more popular of the two words.

====[[Basilisk]]====
The Basilisk-ability refers to variations on deathtouch, especially mechanics which have a similar effect but work differently. First seen on the ''[[Alpha]]'' set's <c>Cockatrice</c> and <c>Thicket Basilisk</c>, it also includes variations like <c>Sylvan Basilisk</c> and <c>Cruel Deceiver</c>.

The introduction of [[Deathtouch]] as a keyword has rendered this term obsolete.

===C===
====C (lingo)====
[[R&D]] lingo for a mana symbol of a specific, arbitrary color, prior to ''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' colorless mana symbol {{C}} introduction.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/135195503448/previously-a-c-in-a-mana-cost-was-used-to|title=Has that notation changed now that colorless has taken over the C?|December 14, 2015}}</ref>

====CIP ====
Short for "comes into play", the term for "[[Enters the battlefield effect|enters the battlefield]]" prior to ''[[M10]]'' rules changes.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/flashback-future-2011-12-12|Flashback to the Future|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 12, 2011}}</ref>

=====CIPT=====
Short for "comes into play tapped", the term for "enters the [[battlefield]] tapped" before ''[[M10]]'' rules changes.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/gates-foundation-2013-05-20|Gates Foundation|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 20, 2013}}</ref>

====[[CMC]]====
Short for Converted Mana Cost, the term used between ''[[Sixth Edition]]'' and ''[[Kaldheim]]'' for the overall number of mana required to cast a spell, regardless of color. This replaced "Casting Cost" ([[#CC|CC]]), and was eventually replaced by [[mana value]].

====COP, CoP or Cop====
Circle of Protection, one of a series of enchantments with an activated ability that prevents damage from particular sources (usually of a given color, such as <c>Circle of Protection: Red</c>, but also <c>Circle of Protection: Artifacts</c>). Also used as a verb: "cop your Bog Wraith" would mean prevent the damage from your Bog Wraith by using my <c>Circle of Protection: Black</c>. Pronounced either "cop" or "cee oh pee".<ref name="Strategy Guide" />

The last printing of a Circle of Protection was in 2005, so this term is rarely seen today.

===E===
====EOTFOFYL====
"End of turn, <c>Fact or Fiction</c>, you lose." Fact or Fiction has such versatility and ability that it can win the game solely by forcing your opponent to give you at least one card that you need from the top five cards in your library. [[Michelle Bush]] coined this phrase after playing the card at its debut tournament.

===G===
====[[Global enchantment]]====
An [[enchantment]] that does not attach to something but rather affects the entire game, i.e. that is not an [[Aura]]. Since the introduction of the Aura subtype in ''[[Ninth Edition]]'', they are referred to simply as "non-Aura enchantments".

====Gro====
Refers to a class of decks featuring <c>Quirion Dryad</c>. The original gro deck was Miracle Grow, first piloted successfully by Alan Comer, earning 9th place in the 2001 [[Grand Prix]] Vegas,<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/top-10-extended-decks-all-time-2008-02-07|Top 10 Extended Decks of All Time|[[Mike Flores]]|February 07, 2008}}</ref> though others followed (such as Super Gro).

Mostly obsolete, as Quirion Dryad left [[Extended]] in 2008, and the powerful <c>Tarmogoyf</c> is available at the same mana cost for contemporary decks.

===H===
==== Hull====
A player who attracts many players, often less skilled. Associated with the word "[[#Barn|Barn]]": The Barns (barnacles) are constantly following the Hull around in order to [[leech]] off of them or simply to attain another level of play or social status.

===L===
====Long.dec====
An explosive [[combo]] [[deck]] in the [[Vintage]] format that abused <c>Burning Wish</c> to fetch <c>Yawgmoth's Will</c>, eventually building up a high enough [[Storm]] count to win with <c>Tendrils of Agony</c>. Long.dec boasted the impressive ability to win more than half the time on the first turn, prompting the restriction of Burning Wish and <c>Lion's Eye Diamond</c> in Vintage in 2003.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/classic-developments-2003-12-19|Classic Developments|[[Randy Buehler]]|December 19, 2003}}</ref> Later versions of the deck included "Grim Long" and "Death Long", featuring <c>Grim Tutor</c> and <c>Death Wish</c> as ways to replace the restricted Burning Wish.

===M===
====[[Mana burn]]====
An obsolete game concept in which a player lost a certain amount of [[life]] equal to the amount of unused [[mana]] in their [[mana pool]] at the end of a [[phase]]. Common slang for this term was "[[burn]]", for example, someone might say they "burned for 3" when they lost 3 life due to Mana Burn. Some decks forced opponents to generate mana to kill them with mana burn. Now defunct in tournament Magic, as the rules for mana burn were removed with the release of ''[[Magic 2010]]''.

===P===
====[[Prosperous Bloom]], ProsBloom====
An old [[Mirage]]-era [[combo deck]] based around <c>Prosperity</c>, <c>Cadaverous Bloom</c>, and <c>Squandered Resources</c>.

===R===
====Raffinity ====
Ravager Affinity, the deck using cards with [[affinity|affinity for artifacts]] and an <c>Arcbound Ravager</c> - <c>Disciple of the Vault</c> combo that dominated [[Mirrodin block]] and standard. Raffinity is despised by most players (who did not play the deck) for its simple yet dominating and flexible gameplay. Raffinity is designed to take out one player as fast as possible, and it caused a huge series of bans in Standard and Mirrodin block.

====Rectal Agony====
:A deck featuring <c>Academy Rector</c> and <c>Tendrils of Agony</c>. The deck uses Rector to fetch a <c>Yawgmoth's Bargain</c>. The Bargain draws many cards, allowing the player to play many spells and Tendrils as a finisher.

====RFG====
Removed from the game, the term used before ''[[M10]]'' for what is now called [[exile]]d.

===S===
====Super Shroud====
[[Hexproof]]. Before it was keyworded in ''[[M12]]'', it was written explicitly on cards as "[Object] can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents' control", and known as super shroud because it's better than [[shroud]]. Also (formerly) known as [[#Trollshroud|trollshroud]].

===T===
====Trix====
A combo deck based around the interaction of <c>Illusions of Grandeur</c> and <c>Donate</c>.

====Trollshroud====
[[Hexproof]]. Before it was keyworded in ''[[M12]]'', it was written explicitly on cards as "[Object] can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control", and known as trollshroud due to its use on <c>Troll Ascetic</c>. Also (formerly) known as [[#super shroud|super shroud]].

==Card nicknames and abbreviations==
The ''Magic'' community has given many nicknames to cards, and a number of those nicknames have passed into the mainstream and become part of MTG terminology.

===#===
====5ML====
:Five [[Moxes]] and a [[Black Lotus]]. Once considered by many players to be essential for a winning [[Vintage]] [[tournament deck]].<ref name="Strategy Guide">Beth Moursund. (2007). [[Magic: The Gathering Official Strategy Guide]], Wizards of the Coast</ref>

===A===
====Academy====
: <c>Tolarian Academy</c>, one of the key components of decks during Combo Winter.

====AK====
: <c>Accumulated Knowledge</c>.

====Ancestral==== 
:<c>Ancestral Recall</c>.

===B===
====BBE ====
:<c>Bloodbraid Elf</c>.

====BEB ====
:<c>Blue Elemental Blast</c>.

====BFEP====
:"Best Fatty Ever Printed" is a nickname for <c>Verdant Force</c>, coined by Jamie Wakefield.

====Big Blue====
:<c>Time Walk</c>, <c>Time Twister</c>, and <c>Ancestral Recall</c>, part of the [[Power Nine]].<ref name="Duelist 22" />

====Blinky====
:<c>Blinking Spirit</c>, once known as "the most annoying creature in ''Magic''".<ref name="Strategy Guide" />

==== The Blob====
:the collection of cards in the [[Extended Affinity deck|Affinity deck]].

====Bob====
:[[Dark Confidant]], which is based on the card submitted for the 2004 [[Magic Invitational]] Tournament by the winner, [[Bob Maher, Jr.|Bob Maher]].

==== Bolt====
:<c>Lightning Bolt</c> or, sometimes, <c>Chain Lightning</c> and other 3-damage burn spells, such as <c>Incinerate</c>.

====Buffy====
:<c>Rashka the Slayer</c>, originally designed to block and kill the <c>Sengir Vampire</c>, provided it hadn't increased in power. The nickname is derived from the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the T.V. show first aired after ''[[Homelands]]'' was released.

====Butt Stallion====
:<c>Diamond Mare</c>. A reference to the Borderlands video game series, in which the main antagonist Handsome Jack has a pony made out of diamonds whose name is Butt Stallion.

===C===
==== Cap'n Tickles ====
:<c>Giant Solifuge</c>. The origin of this nickname is unclear, but its usage was popularized by Evan Erwin of Star City Games in his web show "The Magic Show."

====Cat Jesus====
:<c>Leonin Arbiter</c>. Named due to its incredible importance in modern Death and Taxes to turn <c>Ghost Quarter</c> into a <c>Strip Mine</c> and <c>Path to Exile</c> into the best removal spell ever made.

====Chimney Pimp====
:<c>Chimney Imp</c>, an incredibly underpowered card from ''[[Mirrodin]]''. Often written in a variant of ''leet speak'' (such as 7he p1mp, t3h p!mp, etc). In a similar manner as ''[[Wolves#Throat Wolf|Throat Wolf]]'', it became a common joke in the [http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=144 official Magic forums] that the Pimp was an extremely broken card because "it untaps for free", which in fact is a trait shared by almost all permanents.

====CoB====
:<c>City of Brass</c>.

====CoCo====
:<c>Collected Company</c>.

====CoP====
:{{Scryfall search|Circle of Protection}}.<ref name="Duelist 22" />

=== D===
====Darcy====
:<c>Dragon's Rage Channeler</c>, from the abbreviation DRC

====David Bowie====
:<c>Goblin King</c> - a reference David Bowie's role as the Goblin King in the film Labyrinth.

==== Deed====
:<c>Pernicious Deed</c>.

====Deep Anal====
:Crude nickname for <c>Deep Analysis</c>.

====Dexter====
:<c>Dockside Extortionist</c>

====Dog==== 
:<c>Isamaru, Hound of Konda</c>.

====Drain====
:<c>Mana Drain</c>, or cards with effects similar to <c>Drain Life</c>.

====DRS==== 
:<c>Deathrite Shaman</c>.

====Dr. Teeth====
:<c>Psychatog</c>. Sometimes this card is announced as "The doctor's in."

====Dude Ranch====
:<c>Kjeldoran Outpost</c>, a land that produces 1/1 [[soldier]] [[token]]s (dudes).

=== E===
====E-wit====
:<c>Eternal Witness</c>

==== ECD====
:<c>Elspeth Conquers Death</c>

====Edict====
:<c>Diabolic Edict</c>, <c>Chainer's Edict</c>, <c>Cruel Edict</c>, and other cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature.

====Ernie====
:<c>Erhnam Djinn</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/sketches-erhnam-djinn-2002-04-30|Sketches: Erhnam Djinn|[[Magic Arcana]]|April 30, 2002}}</ref> 

====ESG====
:<c>Elvish Spirit Guide</c>.

====Fat Moti====
:<c>Mahamoti Djinn</c>, so called because it is a [[fatty|fat creature]].<ref name="Duelist 22" />

===F===
====Finkel====
:<c>Shadowmage Infiltrator</c>, which is based on the card submitted for the 2000 [[Magic Invitational]] Tournament by the winner, [[Jon Finkel]].  Occasionally called "Infilmage Finkletrator" as an affectionate play on the name.

====Finkel's Cloak====
:<c>Sleeper's Robe</c>, because it grants Shadowmage Infiltrator's abilities to the [[creature]] it enchants, even though the Robe was printed earlier than the Infiltrator itself.

====Finkel Suit====
:<c>Mask of Riddles</c> from ''[[Alara Reborn]]'', because, as [[Equipment]], creatures can slip in and out of the suit, becoming Finkel whenever the player has the [[mana]] and inclination.

====Force, FoW====
:<c>Force of Will</c>.

====Fishstick====
:<c>Elvish Mystic</c>.

=== G===
====Gary====
:<c>Gray Merchant of Asphodel</c> <ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/137594647693/mark-thanks-for-all-you-do-for-the-magic-fans-out|title=I would love some trivia about my favorite card Gray Merchant of Asphodel.|January 18, 2016}}</ref>

====[[Goyf]]==== 
:<c>Tarmogoyf</c>.

===H===
====Hippy ====
:<c>Hypnotic Specter</c>, one of the most beloved cards in Magic. Sometimes also alliterated as "Hippy Spook".

====Hymn====
:<c>Hymn to Tourach</c>.

===I===
====I am Superman====
:<c>Pemmin's Aura</c>. The designer who named the card decided to make a tribute to <c>Morphling</c>, which was known as "[[Wikipedia:Superman|Superman]]".  Since it was an enchantment that gave the enchanted creature Morphling's abilities, he named it Pemmin's Aura, an anagram for the phrase "I am Superman".  When asked "Who's Pemmin?" he simply responded "The guy who made the aura", as there was no background for said character, although it did end up in the flavor text of another card in ''[[Scourge]]'': <c>Stifle</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/grand-designs-2003-06-12|Grand Designs|[[Mark Gottlieb]]|June 12, 2003}}</ref><ref name="Trivial Pursuit">{{DailyRef|making-magic/trivial-pursuit-whats-in-a-name|Trivial Pursuit: What's in a Name?|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 9, 2023}}</ref>

====Ineffable, The====
:[[Yawgmoth]]. Used on some [[Magic: The Gathering]] forums. For example, 'Will of the Ineffable' refers to <c>Yawgmoth's Will</c>.

===J===
====Jens==== 
:<c>Solemn Simulacrum</c>, which is based on the card submitted for the 2002 [[Magic Invitational]] Tournament by the winner, [[Jens Thoren]].  Also known as Robo-Jens or Sad Robot due to the pensive facial expression in the artist's portrait of Thoren.

====Jewelry====
:The original five [[moxes]]<ref name="Duelist 22">Melody Alder. (1998). ''[[The Duelist]]'' #22, 40-42</ref> {{-}} <c>Mox Jet</c>, <c>Mox Ruby</c>, <c>Mox Sapphire</c>, <c>Mox Emerald</c>, and <c>Mox Pearl</c>.

==== Jigsaw ====
:<c>Plaguecrafter</c>. Plaguecrafter's flavor text could easily be interpreted as something Jigsaw, the recurring villain from the Saw horror movie franchise would say.

===K===
====Keg====
: <c>Powder Keg</c>.

===L===
====Lab Man====
:<c>Laboratory Maniac</c>

====Larry Niven's Disk====
:<c>Nevinyrral's Disk</c>. "Nevinyrral" is [[Larry Niven]] spelled backward. The disk is evocative of a magical device in his short story series "The Magic Goes Away".

====Looter Scooter ====
:<c>Smuggler's Copter</c>. A vehicle (scooter) that "Loots" on attacks and blocks

===M===
====Mana Birds====
:<c>Birds of Paradise</c>.<ref name="Duelist 22" />

====Mis-D====
:<c>Misdirection</c>.

====Miss Tickles====
:<c>Falkenrath Aristocrat</c>, due to the card's similarities to <c>Giant Solifuge</c> (both 4/1, both have haste, both are difficult to deal with via spells, both have an evasion ability).

====Misty ====
:<c>Stoneforge Mystic</c>

====Mom====
:<c>Mother of Runes</c>. (See also Steppe-Mom)

====The Monkey====
:<c>Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</c>. Often called “That Stupid Monkey”, “That ******* Monkey”, or simply “Monke”

==== Moti====
:<c>Mahamoti Djinn</c><ref name="Even More R&D" />

====Moxes====
:Plural short form for <c>Mox Pearl</c>, <c>Mox Sapphire</c>, <c>Mox Jet</c>, <c>Mox Ruby</c>, and <c>Mox Emerald</c>. Can also refer to <c>Mox Diamond</c> or <c>Chrome Mox</c>.

==== Mox Monkey ====
:<c>Gorilla Shaman</c>, with the ability to destroy low-costed artifacts quite inexpensively, is called the "Mox Monkey" because he can destroy (or often "eat") the oft-used [[Moxes]] for a minimal cost, netting a great card advantage.

===N===
====Necro====
:<c>Necropotence</c>. Also a verb, for example "I necro for three" means "I pay 3 life to take 3 cards".<ref name="Strategy Guide" /> 

===O===
====Oath ====
:<c>Oath of Druids</c>, or a deck featuring the card.

====Ophie the One-Eyed Snake====
:<c>Ophidian</c>, a card that powered many blue control decks to victory with its card-drawing mechanic which could be used every turn. Its art depicts a one-eyed snake, giving him the nickname among control players and their opponents.

====Order of Light Beer====
: <c>Order of Leitbur</c>

====OwN==== 
:<c>One with Nothing</c>, a card from ''[[Saviors of Kamigawa]]'' previously perceived to have no practical purpose, though the results of Pro Tour Honolulu has had some players suggesting it as an answer to the "Owling Mine" deck that had gained prominence during the tournament. It is sometimes, ironically, used as a pun for the term ''[[Wikipedia:Owned|owned]]''.

===P===
====Panharmommycon====
:{{Card|Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines}}. Derived from a combination of {{Card|Panharmonicon}} and '''Mother''' of Machines.

==== Pat Sajak====
:<c>Magus of the Wheel</c>. The card shares an effect similar to <c>Wheel of Fortune</c>. Named after the host of the American version of the [[Wikipedia:Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune game show]].

====Path====
:<c>Path to Exile</c>, a powerful removal spell similar to <c>Swords to Plowshares</c> and shortened in a similar way.

====PORN====
:Often used to refer to the card {{card|Masticore||UDS}} due to its similarity to the word "masturbate', and the phallus-like structure coming out of its mouth.

====Powerpuff Girls====
:Three legendary [[angel]]s from ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'', named after the cartoon characters Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup who are three superhero girls who can fly and are dressed in red, blue, and green. {{-}} <c>Gisela, Blade of Goldnight</c>, <c>Bruna, Light of Alabaster</c> and <c>Sigarda, Host of Herons</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/avacyn-gle-ladies-part-1-2012-04-23|Avacyn-gle Ladies, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 23, 2012}}</ref>

====Primetime====
:<c>Primeval Titan</c> 

====Pump Knights====
:Four functionally equivalent white and black knights from ''[[Ice Age]]'' and ''[[Fallen Empires]]'' {{-}} <c>Order of Leitbur</c>, <c>Order of the White Shield</c>, <c>Order of the Ebon Hand</c>, and <c>Knight of Stromgald</c>. The name refers to their +1/+0 [[pumping]] [[ability]].

====PV====
: <c>Elite Spellbinder</c>, the [[Player Spotlight]] card for 2019 World Champion [[Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa]] (“PVDDR”)

===R===
====REB==== 
:<c>Red Elemental Blast</c>.

====Ritual====
:<c>Dark Ritual</c>. Alternatively shortened to "Dark Rit" or even further to just "Rit."

===S===
====Sac Elder ====
: <c>Sakura-Tribe Elder</c>, which is usually sacrificed (see "sac") for mana acceleration (see "accel"). Other nicknames include Saccy Tribe Elder, Tribe-Elder, Snake Jesus, Steve (S.T.E.-ve), Saccy Chan and sometimes just Elder.

====Sammy====
:<c>Samite Healer</c>.<ref name="Duelist 22" />

====Scooze====
:<c>Scavenging Ooze</c>, Often accompanied by the phrase, “You lose to Scooze.”

====Sex Monkey====
:<c>Uktabi Orangutan</c>. Its art depicts monkeys in a position that resembles the sexual act in its background, hence the appellation. The background was noticed during the reign of the "Artifact" block, where it became wildly popular because of its ability to destroy an opponent's artifacts. The flavor text of the card also reinforces this interpretation, as it refers to monkeys in gold coats marrying. In ''[[Unhinged]]'', there was a parody of the card, called <c>Uktabi Kong</c>, with a larger version of the original Orangutan in the foreground, and an expectant pair of monkeys in the background, playing on the original art and its implications. The effects of that card are relevant to the act, too, allowing you to tap two Apes to generate another one. The story was continued in ''[[Jumpstart 2022]]'', with the new art and flavor text of Uktabi Orangutan entertaining a young <c>Kibo, Uktabi Prince</c> who is implied to be the offspring of the original two monkeys<ref>[[LoadingReadyRun]] (November 28, 2022) [https://youtu.be/KGimOOHYHPE?si=mg67nnp_iDogMPr7&t=1542 Jumpstart 2022 || TTC 436], ''TapTapConcede'', YouTube</ref>

====SFM====
:<c>Stoneforge Mystic</c>.

====Snape==== 
:<c>Thieving Amalgam</c>, named 'Snape' due to its creature types.

====Snappie====
:<c>Snapcaster Mage</c>

====SoFI====
:<c>Sword of Fire and Ice</c>, pronounced like “Sophie”

====SoLoMoxes====
:<c>Sol Ring</c>, <c>Black Lotus</c>, and the five Moxes from Alpha.

====Splice Girl====
:<c>Blade Splicer</c>

====Steppe-Mom====
: <c>Giver of Runes</c>, a slightly different version of <c>Mother of Runes</c> or “Mom” (so a Step-Mom), and a Kor from the steppes of [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]]

==== STEve==== 
: <c>Sakura-Tribe Elder</c>. See also Sac Elder.

====Stick====
:<c>Isochron Scepter</c>, a powerful card in the ''[[Mirrodin]]'' set which allows a player to [[imprint]] an [[instant]] on the Scepter and activate the Scepter to cast a copy of that card. The name is derived from the card's art, which shows a humanoid woman holding the scepter (which obviously looks like a stick).

=====Card on a stick=====
:An Isochron Scepter in play with a particular card imprinted on it.

====="No" stick=====
:1. <c>Counterspell</c>, when imprinted on the Stick, since it lets the player say "no" to an opponent's spell once per turn.
:2. A popular deck which imprinted <c>Orim's Chant</c> on Stick, preventing the opponent from playing anything except instants and cards with Flash.
;X on a stick
: A creature with some useful ability. For example, <c>Temporal Adept</c> is a "boomerang on a stick", because his ability resembles the card <c>Boomerang</c>, while being a creature.

====Stripwaste==== 
:A combination of <c>Strip Mine</c> and <c>Wasteland</c>.

====Sunny-T====
:<c>Sun Titan</c>.

====Superman====
: Nickname for <c>Morphling</c>, used because it could fly and was practically invulnerable. The nickname was acknowledged by WOTC in <c>Pemmin's Aura</c>, which is an anagram of "I am Superman", and grants Morphling's abilities to the creature it enchants.<ref name="Trivial Pursuit" />

====Swords====
:<c>Swords to Plowshares</c>, the best creature-removal spell ever printed. Creatures exiled by a <c>Swords to Plowshares</c> are said to be "Plowed".  Sometimes abbreviated STP.

===T===
====Tim====
:The classic nickname for the card [[Prodigal Sorcerer (card)|Prodigal Sorcerer]], named after the enchanter from ''Monty Python's Holy Grail''. <c>Rod of Ruin</c> was sometimes referred to as "Tim on a stick", while <c>Pirate Ship</c> was of course "Tim on a ship" <ref name="Duelist 22" />

====Thoracle====
:<c>Thassa's Oracle</c>.

===='Tog====
:<c>Psychatog</c>, once the most powerful creature in Magic.

===U===
====[[Urzatron]]====
:The combination of <c>Urza's Power Plant</c>, <c>Urza's Mine</c>, and <c>Urza's Tower</c> all in play, which provides {{C}}{{C}}{{C}}{{C}}{{C}}{{C}}{{C}} (seven colorless mana) with three lands. Often shortened to Tron.

===V===
====Vic====
:<c>Enthralling Victor</c>.

===W===
====Walk====
:<c>Time Walk</c>.

====Welder====
:<c>Goblin Welder</c>.

====WoG====
:<c>Wrath of God</c>, long a staple card due to its ability to destroy many creatures using only one card.

===Y===
====YawgWin, Yawgmoth's Win====
:<c>Yawgmoth's Will</c>, which allows all previously played cards to be played a second time, netting an enormous advantage, and usually wins the game for its caster immediately.

====Yoshi====
:<c>Yotian Soldier</c>

====Young Peezy====
:<c>Young Pyromancer</c>. Has given rise to other -eezy names like Seezy Peezy (<c>Seasoned Pyromancer</c>), DeathReezy (<c>Deathrite Shaman</c>), and Seezy Deezy (<c>Seasoned Dungeoneer</c>)
 
==External links==
*{{WebRef|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|date=August 3, 2005|url=http://www.mtgsalvation.com/articles/15990-encyclopedia-magica-updated|title=Encyclopedia Magica|publisher=[[MTG Salvation]]}}
*{{DailyRef|magic-academy/magic-jargon-2006-09-09|Magic Jargon|[[Ted Knutson]]|September 9, 2006}}
*{{DailyRef|glossary-terms-2015-09-21|Glossary of Terms|[[Reid Duke]]|September 21, 2015}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Magic slang|*]]