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'''Formidable''' is an [[ability word]] introduced in ''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]'', where it is the signature ability of the [[red]]-[[green]] [[Atarka]] | {{Infobox ability | ||
| name = Formidable | |||
| first = Dragons of Tarkir | |||
| last = Lord of the Rings Holiday Release | |||
| reminder = ..., if creatures you control have total power 8 or greater, ... | |||
| stats = {{stats|R=4|G=8|M=1}} | |||
| storm = 9 | |||
| storm_ref = <ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/storm-scale-khans-tarkir-block-2016-02-29|Storm Scale: Khans of Tarkir Block|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 29, 2016}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
'''''Formidable''''' is an [[ability word]] introduced in ''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]'', where it is the signature ability of the [[red]]-[[green]] Clan [[Atarka]]. | |||
==Description== | |||
Formidable was designed as an evolution of [[Ferocious]]: instead of 4 power focused on one creature, 8 could be distributed amongst many. The future mechanic [[Pack tactics]] splits the difference by using 6 power but only for attackers. | |||
Creatures with formidable all care in some way about [[control]]ling [[creatures]] with total [[power]] 8 or greater.<ref>{{DailyRef|mechanics-dragons-tarkir-2015-03-02|Mechanics of ''Dragons of Tarkir''|[[Matt Tabak]]|March 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/dragons-tarkir-release-notes-2015-03-18|''Dragons of Tarkir'' Release Notes|March 18, 2015}}</ref> In theory, it could go on non-creatures like Ferocious did, but it likely did not in the first iteration, as such spells would have to pass a high bar for inclusion given assembling 8 power is difficult enough without the spell itself contributing. | |||
Formidable's design space is small but perhaps has enough for another small return, but its low popularity has kept it from being retried. A single card, {{Card|Owlbear Shepherd}} in ''[[Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate]]'', is the only card that has text that matches Formidable since ''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]''. <c>Case of the Trampled Garden</c> has an 8-power check, but unlike other uses it is a one-off trigger. Formidable made a return for the ''[[Transformers]]'' card <c>Ultra Magnus, Armored Carrier</c> and on <c>Gimli's Reckless Might</c> from the ''[[Lord of the Rings Holiday Release]]''. | |||
==Rulings== | ==Rulings== | ||
* | * If you control a creature with power less than 0, use its actual power when calculating the total power of creatures you control. For example, if you control three creatures with powers 4, 4, and -2, the total power of creatures you control is 6. | ||
* Some formidable abilities are activated abilities that require creatures you control to have a total power of 8 or greater. Once you activate these abilities, it doesn't matter what happens to the total power of creatures you control. | |||
* Other formidable abilities are triggered abilities with an “intervening ‘if’” clause. Such abilities check the total power of creatures you control twice: once at the appropriate time to see if the ability will trigger, and again as the ability tries to resolve. If at that time, the total power of creatures you control is no longer 8 or greater, the ability will have no effect. | |||
==Example== | ==Example== | ||
{{examples| | {{examples|<c>Stampeding Elk Herd</c> {{3}}{{G}}{{G}}<br>Creature - Elk<br>5/5<br> ''Formidable'' {{-}} When Stampeding Elk Herd attacks, if creatures you control have total power 8 or greater, creatures you control gain trample until end of turn.}} | ||
}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{Tarkir mechanics}} | |||
{{Mechanics|ability}} | |||
Latest revision as of 06:17, 31 January 2024
| Formidable | |
|---|---|
| Ability Word | |
| Introduced | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Last used | Lord of the Rings Holiday Release |
| Typical Text | Formidable — ..., if creatures you control have total power 8 or greater, ... |
| Storm Scale | 9[1] |
| Statistics |
13 cards  30.8%  61.5%  7.7% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Formidable" | |
Formidable is an ability word introduced in Dragons of Tarkir, where it is the signature ability of the red-green Clan Atarka.
Description
Formidable was designed as an evolution of Ferocious: instead of 4 power focused on one creature, 8 could be distributed amongst many. The future mechanic Pack tactics splits the difference by using 6 power but only for attackers.
Creatures with formidable all care in some way about controlling creatures with total power 8 or greater.[2][3] In theory, it could go on non-creatures like Ferocious did, but it likely did not in the first iteration, as such spells would have to pass a high bar for inclusion given assembling 8 power is difficult enough without the spell itself contributing.
Formidable's design space is small but perhaps has enough for another small return, but its low popularity has kept it from being retried. A single card, Owlbear Shepherd in Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, is the only card that has text that matches Formidable since Dragons of Tarkir. Case of the Trampled Garden has an 8-power check, but unlike other uses it is a one-off trigger. Formidable made a return for the Transformers card Ultra Magnus, Armored Carrier and on Gimli's Reckless Might from the Lord of the Rings Holiday Release.
Rulings
- If you control a creature with power less than 0, use its actual power when calculating the total power of creatures you control. For example, if you control three creatures with powers 4, 4, and -2, the total power of creatures you control is 6.
- Some formidable abilities are activated abilities that require creatures you control to have a total power of 8 or greater. Once you activate these abilities, it doesn't matter what happens to the total power of creatures you control.
- Other formidable abilities are triggered abilities with an “intervening ‘if’” clause. Such abilities check the total power of creatures you control twice: once at the appropriate time to see if the ability will trigger, and again as the ability tries to resolve. If at that time, the total power of creatures you control is no longer 8 or greater, the ability will have no effect.
Example
Example
Stampeding Elk Herd 
Creature - Elk
5/5
Formidable — When Stampeding Elk Herd attacks, if creatures you control have total power 8 or greater, creatures you control gain trample until end of turn.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 29, 2016). "Storm Scale: Khans of Tarkir Block". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (March 2, 2015). "Mechanics of Dragons of Tarkir". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ March 18, 2015. "Dragons of Tarkir Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
