Keyword counter: Difference between revisions

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(Mentioned "Ascent of the Worthy")
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A '''Keyword counter''' is a [[Counter (marker)|counter]] that give a [[permanent]] they're on a [[keyword ability]]. The game mechanic was featured in ''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/ikoria-lair-behemoths-and-commander-2020-edition-release-notes-2020-04-10|''Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths'' and ''Commander (2020 Edition)'' Release Notes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|April 10, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Twinkle">{{DailyRef|making-magic/twinkle-someones-ikoria-2020-04-13|A Twinkle in Someone's Ikoria|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 13, 2020}}</ref>
A '''Keyword counter''' is a [[Counter (marker)|counter]] that gives a [[permanent]] they're on a [[keyword ability]]. The game mechanic was featured in ''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/ikoria-lair-behemoths-and-commander-2020-edition-release-notes-2020-04-10|''Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths'' and ''Commander (2020 Edition)'' Release Notes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|April 10, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Twinkle">{{DailyRef|making-magic/twinkle-someones-ikoria-2020-04-13|A Twinkle in Someone's Ikoria|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 13, 2020}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
A permanent with a keyword counter on it gains that keyword. To determine how this interacts with continuous effects, use the counter's timestamp. The timestamp of a counter is the most recent time that any counter of that kind was put onto that permanent.
A permanent with a keyword counter on it gains that keyword. Use the counter's timestamp to determine how this interacts with continuous effects. The timestamp of a counter is the most recent time that any counter was put onto that permanent.


For this group of counters, having more than one of the same counter provides no additional benefit.<ref name="Mechanics"/> Note that if these counters end up on a noncreature permanent, it won't necessarily apply right away, but it will if the permanent becomes a creature. (The exceptions here are hexproof, indestructible, deathtouch, and lifelink, which work even if they end up on a noncreature permanent. Deathtouch and lifelink only matter if that noncreature permanent can deal damage somehow.)
For this group of counters, having more than one of the same counter provides no additional benefit.<ref name="Mechanics"/> Note that if these counters end up on a noncreature permanent, it won't necessarily apply immediately, but it will if the permanent becomes a creature. (The exceptions here are [[exalted]], hexproof, indestructible, deathtouch, and lifelink, which work even if they end up on a noncreature permanent. Deathtouch and lifelink only matter if that noncreature permanent can deal damage somehow.)


During its introduction in [[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]], there were several spells that rewarded creatures with particular keywords ([[Lord#Keyword lords|keyword "lords"]]), as well as multiple creatures and spells that granted the choice of several keywords.
During its introduction in [[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]], several spells rewarded creatures with particular keywords ([[Lord#Keyword lords|keyword "lords"]]), as well as multiple creatures and spells that granted the choice of several keywords.


===History===
===History===
The [[Chimera]]s from ''[[Visions]]'' were the first cards to (kind of) use keyword counters. If [[R&D]] remade them today, they would definitely use keyword counters.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/651720274280054784/hi-mark-todays-my-28th-birthday-may-i-request-a|title=May I request a trivia on Chimeras?|May 20, 2021}}</ref>
The [[Chimera]]s from ''[[Visions]]'' were the first cards to (kind of) use keyword counters. If [[R&D]] remade them today, they would use keyword counters.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/651720274280054784/hi-mark-todays-my-28th-birthday-may-i-request-a|title=May I request a trivia on Chimeras?|May 20, 2021}}</ref>


Keyword counters were introduced on a [[test card]] in the ''[[Mystery Booster]]'' set (<c>Recycla-bird</c> with [[flying counter]]s).<ref name="Release Notes">{{DailyRef|feature/mystery-booster-release-notes-2019-11-11|''Mystery Booster'' Release Notes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|November 11, 2019}}</ref>  
Keyword counters were introduced on a [[test card]] in the ''[[Mystery Booster]]'' set (<c>Recycla-bird</c> with [[flying counter]]s).<ref name="Release Notes">{{DailyRef|feature/mystery-booster-release-notes-2019-11-11|''Mystery Booster'' Release Notes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|November 11, 2019}}</ref>  


''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]'' and ''[[Commander 2020]]'' widely expanded on this with ten more keyword counters.<ref name="Mechanics">{{DailyRef|feature/ikoria-lair-behemoths-mechanics-2020-04-02|''Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths'' Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|April 2, 2020}}</ref> [[double strike counter|Double strike]] and [[indestructible counter]]s only appear on cards in the ''[[Ikoria Commander]]'' set, and not in the main set.
''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]'' and ''[[Commander 2020]]'' widely expanded on this with ten more keyword counters.<ref name="Mechanics">{{DailyRef|feature/ikoria-lair-behemoths-mechanics-2020-04-02|''Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths'' Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|April 2, 2020}}</ref> [[double strike counter|Double strike]] and [[indestructible counter]]s only appear on cards in the ''[[Ikoria Commander]]'' set, and not in the main set.  


With the ''[[Kaldheim]]'' cards <c>Ascendant Spirit</c>/<c>Ascent of the Worthy</c> (which featured a Flying Counters as mechanic) and <c>Tyrite Sanctum</c> (which featured an Indestructible Counter as mechanic), Keyword Counters slowly moved to [[deciduous]] status.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/640301988750442496/with-the-recently-spoiled-ascendant-spirit-are|title=With the recently spoiled Ascendant Spirit, are Ability Counters deciduous?|January 14, 2021}}</ref> By the time of ''[[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty]]'', deciduous status was definitely achieved.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/674580159447334912/hi-mark-the-mechanics-article-for-neo-explains|title=Are ability counters considered deciduous now?|January 27, 2022}}</ref>
With the ''[[Kaldheim]]'' cards <c>Ascendant Spirit</c> and <c>Ascent of the Worthy</c>, which both featured Flying Counters as a mechanic, and <c>Tyrite Sanctum</c> which featured an Indestructible Counter as a mechanic, Keyword Counters slowly moved to [[deciduous]] status.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/640301988750442496/with-the-recently-spoiled-ascendant-spirit-are|title=With the recently spoiled Ascendant Spirit, are Ability Counters deciduous?|January 14, 2021}}</ref> By the time of ''[[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty]]'', deciduous status was achieved.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/674580159447334912/hi-mark-the-mechanics-article-for-neo-explains|title=Are ability counters considered deciduous now?|January 27, 2022}}</ref>
 
Initially, keyword counters only used the [[evergreen]] keyword lists. <c>The Lux Foundation Library</c> introduced [[shadow]] counters followed quickly by <c>Minas Morgul, Dark Fortress</c> in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth]]'' holiday release. ''[[Modern Horizons 3]]'' brought the [[Exalted]] counter on <c>Emissary of Soulfire</c>.
 
Due to the limited functionality of a haste counter, it took until <c>Indominus Rex, Alpha</c> to print it, as giving it a haste counter would draw an extra card.


===Types of keyword counters===
===Types of keyword counters===
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*[[Deathtouch counter]]
*[[Deathtouch counter]]
*[[Double strike counter]]
*[[Double strike counter]]
*[[Exalted counter]]
*[[First strike counter]]
*[[First strike counter]]
*[[Flying counter]]
*[[Flying counter]]
*[[Haste counter]]
*[[Hexproof counter]]
*[[Hexproof counter]]
*[[Indestructible counter]]
*[[Indestructible counter]]
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*[[Menace counter]]
*[[Menace counter]]
*[[Reach counter]]
*[[Reach counter]]
*[[Shadow counter]]
*[[Trample counter]]
*[[Trample counter]]
*[[Vigilance counter]]
*[[Vigilance counter]]
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==Rulings==
==Rulings==
* A permanent with a keyword counter on it has that keyword.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/ikoria-lair-behemoths-and-commander-2020-edition-release-notes-2020-04-10|''Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths'' and ''Commander (2020 Edition)'' Release Notes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|April 10, 2020}}</ref>
*A permanent with a keyword counter on it has that keyword.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/ikoria-lair-behemoths-and-commander-2020-edition-release-notes-2020-04-10|''Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths'' and ''Commander (2020 Edition)'' Release Notes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|April 10, 2020}}</ref>
* For determining the interaction of continuous effects, the timestamp of a keyword counter on an object is the most recent time that any counter of that kind was put on that object. Removing a keyword counter doesn't change the timestamp of any remaining counters.
*For determining the interaction of continuous effects, the timestamp of a keyword counter on an object is the most recent time that any counter was put on that object. Removing a keyword counter doesn't change the timestamp of any remaining counters.
*Among the keywords that a keyword counter can grant, multiple instances of any one of these keywords are redundant.
*Among the keywords that a keyword counter can grant, multiple instances of any one of these keywords are redundant.
*Some Ikoria packs include a punch-out card with counters that appear in the set. These aren't required for play. As with other counters, players may use any mutually agreeable method to represent the counters.
*Some Ikoria packs include a punch-out card with counters that appear in the set. These aren't required for play. As with other counters, players may use any mutually agreeable method to represent the counters.
==Trivia==
*In ''[[Magic Online]]'', keyword counters are colored purple rather than the green used for counters with positive effects.


==References==  
==References==  

Latest revision as of 06:18, 17 June 2024

Keyword counter
 
 
Keyword counter
Counter
Use Keyword ability gain
Placed on Creatures
Introduced Mystery Booster
Last used Modern Horizons 3
Scryfall search
oracle:"Keyword counter"

A Keyword counter is a counter that gives a permanent they're on a keyword ability. The game mechanic was featured in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths.[1][2]

Description

A permanent with a keyword counter on it gains that keyword. Use the counter's timestamp to determine how this interacts with continuous effects. The timestamp of a counter is the most recent time that any counter was put onto that permanent.

For this group of counters, having more than one of the same counter provides no additional benefit.[3] Note that if these counters end up on a noncreature permanent, it won't necessarily apply immediately, but it will if the permanent becomes a creature. (The exceptions here are exalted, hexproof, indestructible, deathtouch, and lifelink, which work even if they end up on a noncreature permanent. Deathtouch and lifelink only matter if that noncreature permanent can deal damage somehow.)

During its introduction in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, several spells rewarded creatures with particular keywords (keyword "lords"), as well as multiple creatures and spells that granted the choice of several keywords.

History

The Chimeras from Visions were the first cards to (kind of) use keyword counters. If R&D remade them today, they would use keyword counters.[4]

Keyword counters were introduced on a test card in the Mystery Booster set (Recycla-bird with flying counters).[5]

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths and Commander 2020 widely expanded on this with ten more keyword counters.[3] Double strike and indestructible counters only appear on cards in the Ikoria Commander set, and not in the main set.

With the Kaldheim cards Ascendant Spirit and Ascent of the Worthy, which both featured Flying Counters as a mechanic, and Tyrite Sanctum which featured an Indestructible Counter as a mechanic, Keyword Counters slowly moved to deciduous status.[6] By the time of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, deciduous status was achieved.[7]

Initially, keyword counters only used the evergreen keyword lists. The Lux Foundation Library introduced shadow counters followed quickly by Minas Morgul, Dark Fortress in the The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth holiday release. Modern Horizons 3 brought the Exalted counter on Emissary of Soulfire.

Due to the limited functionality of a haste counter, it took until Indominus Rex, Alpha to print it, as giving it a haste counter would draw an extra card.

Types of keyword counters

Keyword counter punch cards
Beadle & Grimms metal counters for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Keyword Counter
A marker placed on an object that modifies its characteristics by granting it a keyword. See rule 122, “Counters.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

  • 122.1b A keyword counter on a permanent or on a card in a zone other than the battlefield causes that object to gain that keyword. The keywords that a keyword counter can be are flying, first strike, double strike, deathtouch, exalted, haste, hexproof, indestructible, lifelink, menace, reach, shadow, trample, and vigilance, as well as any variants of those keywords. See rule 613.1f.

Rulings

  • A permanent with a keyword counter on it has that keyword.[8]
  • For determining the interaction of continuous effects, the timestamp of a keyword counter on an object is the most recent time that any counter was put on that object. Removing a keyword counter doesn't change the timestamp of any remaining counters.
  • Among the keywords that a keyword counter can grant, multiple instances of any one of these keywords are redundant.
  • Some Ikoria packs include a punch-out card with counters that appear in the set. These aren't required for play. As with other counters, players may use any mutually agreeable method to represent the counters.

Trivia

  • In Magic Online, keyword counters are colored purple rather than the green used for counters with positive effects.

References