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| + | A '''Saboteur''' is a [[creature]] with a [[triggered ability]] upon dealing combat [[damage]] to a player.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/few-more-words-rd-2016-11-07|A Few More Words from R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/25656123594/rather-than-keywording-the-ophidian-ability-what|title=Rather than keywording the Ophidian ability, what about ...?|June 22, 2012}}</ref> All colors can have saboteur effects as long as the effects themselves are in color.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/182287528208/hey-mark-can-white-have-saboteur-like-effects|title=Can white have saboteur-like effects?|January 24, 2019}}</ref> |
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| + | ==Description== |
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| ⚫ | Another high |
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| ⚫ | The nickname is derived from the creatures having to sneak behind enemy lines to generate an effect unfavorable for the opponent. Prolific subsets of this mechanic include [[Specter]]s who cause the opponent to [[discard]] cards from their hand as well as [[Ninja]] with various saboteur effects but the ability [[Ninjutsu]] to make it easier for them to deal damage to the opponent. |
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| ⚫ | Another high-profile use of this mechanic are <c>Ophidian</c>-like creatures that [[Curiosity|draw additional cards when damaging the opponent]], such as <c>Shadowmage Infiltrator</c> and <c>Ohran Viper</c>. Ophidian itself does only nominally qualify. While the same condition of the creature being unblocked has to be met, Ophidian does not need to deal damage to the opponent to draw a card - the ability actually triggers during the [[Declare blockers step]]. This variant of saboteur abilities (attacks and isn't blocked) has various design implications and applications. |
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| − | While [[Lifelink]] works in a similar manner, it is not counted as a Saboteur ability as it also has an effect when the creature is blocked. The same is true for earlier uses of the <c>Spirit Link</c>-mechanic which works as a [[triggered ability]]. |
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| + | ==References== |
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| + | {{Reflist}} |
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| + | [[Category:Magic slang]] |
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Revision as of 03:36, 29 April 2020
A Saboteur is a creature with a triggered ability upon dealing combat damage to a player.[1][2] All colors can have saboteur effects as long as the effects themselves are in color.[3]
Description
The nickname is derived from the creatures having to sneak behind enemy lines to generate an effect unfavorable for the opponent. Prolific subsets of this mechanic include Specters who cause the opponent to discard cards from their hand as well as Ninja with various saboteur effects but the ability Ninjutsu to make it easier for them to deal damage to the opponent.
Another high-profile use of this mechanic are Ophidian-like creatures that draw additional cards when damaging the opponent, such as Shadowmage Infiltrator and Ohran Viper. Ophidian itself does only nominally qualify. While the same condition of the creature being unblocked has to be met, Ophidian does not need to deal damage to the opponent to draw a card - the ability actually triggers during the Declare blockers step. This variant of saboteur abilities (attacks and isn't blocked) has various design implications and applications.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 7, 2016). "A Few More Words from R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 22, 2012). "Rather than keywording the Ophidian ability, what about ...?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 24, 2019). "Can white have saboteur-like effects?". Blogatog. Tumblr.