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An '''ability word''' is a word that thematically groups cards with a common functionality, but has no special meaning in the [[Comprehensive Rules]].  
An '''ability word''' is a word that thematically groups cards with a common functionality, but has no special meaning in the [[Comprehensive Rules]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/721341919969640448|title=What kind of considerations go into determining if something should be an ability word vs. a keyword ability?|June 28, 2023}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Because they indicate flavor rather than rules text, ability words are printed in italics and are separated from their corresponding rules text by an em-dash. Ability words are used to label mechanics that cannot be keyworded.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/ability-word-your-mother-2008-07-28|Ability Word to Your Mother|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 28, 2008}}</ref> From a design standpoint, the important thing to note about an ability word is that you can't refer to it mechanically.<ref name="Even More R&D">{{DailyRef|making-magic/even-more-words-rd-2022-01-10|Even More Words From R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 10, 2022}}</ref>  
Because they indicate flavor rather than rules text, ability words are printed in italics and are separated from their corresponding rules text by an em-dash. Ability words are used to label mechanics that cannot be keyworded.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/ability-word-your-mother-2008-07-28|Ability Word to Your Mother|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 28, 2008}}</ref> From a design standpoint, the important thing to note about an ability word is that you can't refer to it mechanically.<ref name="Even More R&D">{{DailyRef|making-magic/even-more-words-rd-2022-01-10|Even More Words From R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 10, 2022}}</ref>  


===History===
Ability words were introduced with ''[[Unhinged]]''<nowiki/>'s [[gotcha]], and were first printed on tournament-legal cards in ''[[Saviors of Kamigawa]]'' with [[channel]] and [[sweep]]. Some earlier unnamed mechanics, such as [[Invasion block]]'s [[domain]], have retroactively received ability words. [[Odyssey block]]'s [[threshold]] was [[Oracle|errataed]] during rules changes in [[Time Spiral block]] to be an ability word, rather than a keyword, as was [[Mirrodin block]]'s [[imprint]] with the release of ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]''.
Ability words were introduced with ''[[Unhinged]]''<nowiki/>'s [[gotcha]], and were first printed on tournament-legal cards in ''[[Saviors of Kamigawa]]'' with [[channel]] and [[sweep]]. Some earlier unnamed mechanics, such as [[Invasion block]]'s [[domain]], have retroactively received ability words. [[Odyssey block]]'s [[threshold]] was [[Oracle|errataed]] during rules changes in [[Time Spiral block]] to be an ability word, rather than a keyword, as was [[Mirrodin block]]'s [[imprint]] with the release of ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]''.


Ability words are distinct from [[keyword action]]s and [[keyword ability|keyword abilities]]. Collectively, they are described as [[mechanic]]s.
Ability words are distinct from [[keyword action]]s and [[keyword ability|keyword abilities]]. Collectively, they are described as [[mechanic]]s.


''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]'' adopts a very loose approach to ability words called '''[[#Flavor words|flavor words]]''', which are used to represent themed actions, character feats or magic, or monster abilities, instead of grouping similarly functioning cards.  
''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]'' adopts a very loose approach to ability words called '''[[flavor word]]s''', which are used to represent themed actions, character feats or magic, or monster abilities, instead of grouping similarly functioning cards.
 
As of 2023, R&D started experimenting with doing more one-of existing ability words in sets, as the card text explains everything and thus an ability word comes at less of a mental cost.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/731175968141623297|title=Why did we get a single card with Battle Cry in ONE?|October 14, 2023}}</ref>


==Rules==
==Rules==
Line 24: Line 27:
*''[[Adamant]]''
*''[[Adamant]]''
*''[[Addendum]]''
*''[[Addendum]]''
*''[[Alliance]]''
*''[[Battalion]]''
*''[[Battalion]]''
*''[[Bloodrush]]''
*''[[Bloodrush]]''
*''[[Celebration]]''
*''[[Channel]]''
*''[[Channel]]''
*''[[Chroma]]''
*''[[Chroma]]''
Line 31: Line 36:
*''[[Constellation]]''
*''[[Constellation]]''
*''[[Converge]]''
*''[[Converge]]''
*''[[Corrupted]]''
*''[[Council's dilemma]]''
*''[[Council's dilemma]]''
*''[[Coven]]''
*''[[Coven]]''
*''[[Delirium]]''
*''[[Delirium]]''
*''[[Descend|Descend 4]]''
*''[[Descend|Descend 8]]''
*''[[Domain]]''
*''[[Domain]]''
*''[[Eminence]]''
*''[[Eminence]]''
*''[[Enrage]]''
*''[[Enrage]]''
*''[[Fateful hour]]''
*''[[Fateful hour]]''
*''[[Descend|Fathomless Descent]]''
*''[[Ferocious]]''
*''[[Ferocious]]''
*''[[Formidable]]''
*''[[Formidable]]''
Line 53: Line 62:
*''[[Morbid]]''
*''[[Morbid]]''
*''[[Pack tactics]]''
*''[[Pack tactics]]''
*''[[Parade!]]''
*''[[Paradox]]''
*''[[Parley]]''
*''[[Parley]]''
*''[[Radiance]]''
*''[[Radiance]]''
Line 66: Line 77:
*''[[Undergrowth]]''
*''[[Undergrowth]]''
*''[[Will of the council]]''
*''[[Will of the council]]''
*''[[Will of the Planeswalkers]]''
}}
}}


===Flavor words===
===[[Acorn]] ability words===
In ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]'', some ability words are not used to thematically group cards, but to refer to iconic [[Dungeons & Dragons]] abilities, actions, or spells.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|FlbogTZg0z4|Flavor Words|channel=[[Good Morning Magic]]|date=June 29, 2021}}</ref> In some cases, these precede [[Triggered ability|triggered]] or [[Activated ability|activated abilities]] on a card.<ref name="AFR Notes">{{DailyRef|feature/adventures-forgotten-realms-release-notes-2021-07-09|''Adventures in the Forgotten Realms'' Release Notes|[[Jess Dunks]]|July 12, 2021}}</ref> These ''flavor words'' contribute to the theme of many individual abilities. In many cases, they identify a particular skill or feat a creature from the [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Forgotten_Realms Forgotten Realms] could have. They were created to capture a sense of being on a D&D campaign.<ref name="DDesign 2">{{DailyRef|making-magic/dd-esign-part-2-2021-07-12|D&D-esign, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 12, 2021}}</ref> A few [[modal]] cards in the set use flavor words to better illustrate your choices.<ref name="Mechanics">{{DailyRef|feature/adventures-forgotten-realms-mechanics-2021-06-24|Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|June 24, 2021}}</ref> In this, they are similar to [[anchor word]]s. Flavor words use [[Wikipedia:Title case|title case]] as opposed to regular ability words that use [[Wikipedia:Letter case|proper case]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/655736329802563584/hey-mark-would-you-count-pack-tactics-from-afr-as|July 3, 2021}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*''Acid Breath''
*''Animate Walking Statue''
*''Antimagic Cone''
*''Archery''
*''Bardic Inspiration''
*''Beacon of Hope''
*''Bear Form''
*''Befriend Them''
*''Bewitching Whispers''
*''Binding Contract''
*''Brave the Stench''
*''Break Their Chains''
*''Charge Them''
*''Clever Conjurer''
*''Climb Over''
*''Combat Inspiration''
*''Cold Breath''
*''Cone of Cold''
*''Cunning Action''
*''Cure Wounds''
*''Dispel Magic''
*''Displacement''
*''Dissolve''
*''Distract the Guard''
*''Divine Intervention''
*''Dominate Monster''
*''Drag Below''
*''Engulf''
*''Fear Ray''
*''Fend Them Off''
*''Fight the Current''
*''Find a Crossing''
*''Flurry of Blows''
*''Foil Their Scheme''
*''Form a Party''
*''Gentle Repose''
*''Grant an Advantage''
*''Hide''
*''Interrogate Them''
*''Intimidate Them''
*''Journey On''
*''Keen Senses''
*''Learn Their Secrets''
*''Life Drain''
*''Lift the Curse''
*''Lightning Breath''
*''Magical Tinkering''
*''Make a Retreat''
*''Make Camp''
*''Poison Breath''
*''Pry It Open''
*''Psionic Spells''
*''Rappel Down''
*''Rejuvenation''
*''Rouse the Party''
*''Search the Body''
*''Search the Room''
*''Set Off Traps''
*''Siege Monster''
*''Smash It''
*''Smash the Chest''
*''Song of Rest''
*''Split''
*''Stand and Fight''
*''Start a Brawl''
*''Steal Its Eyes''
*''Stunning Strike''
*''Tail Spikes''
*''Teleport''
*''Tie Up''
*''Tragic Backstory''
*''Trapped!''
*''Two-Weapon Fighting''
*''Whirlwind''
*''Whispers of the Grave''
*''Wild Magic Surge''
}}
 
====Commander Decks====
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*''Astral Projection''
*''[[Best in show]]''
*''Berserk''
*''[[Gear up]]''
*''Breathe Flame''
*''[[Gotcha!]]''
*''Create Undead''
*''Enrage''
*''Focus Beam''
*''Mystic Arcanum''
*''Negative Energy Cone''
*''Pact Boon''
*''Perfect Illumination''
*''Smash Relics''
}}
}}
Flavor words have been used before in other [[Wizards of the Coast]] [[TCG]]s.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/655555377485725696/where-flavorwords-influenced-by-the-kaijudo-tcg|July 1, 2021}}</ref> Their use in future sets is not off the table, but more likely for [[Universes Beyond]] than normal ''Magic''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/655397022067785728/are-flavor-words-something-we-should-expect-in|June 30, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-ends-adventures-forgotten-realms-part-1-2021-08-02|Odds & Ends: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 2, 2021}}</ref>  If necessary, flavor words may be removed if a card is [[reprint]]ed.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/656331557445976064/flavor-text-can-be-changed-when-a-card-is|July 10, 2021}}</ref> Something being a flavor word doesn't prevent R&D from later using it as a card name or mechanic name. There will probably at least a few years where they won't use it, but after that, [[Mark Rosewater]] thinks that the flavor text phrases will be fair game as card or mechanic names.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-ends-adventures-forgotten-realms-part-2-2021-08-09|Odds & Ends: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 9, 2021}}</ref>
===Rules===
{{CR|glossary|Flavor Word}}
{{CR|207.2d}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Gotcha!]]
*[[Hero's Reward]]
*[[Hero's Reward]]
*[[Spiritcraft]]
*[[Spiritcraft]]

Latest revision as of 20:04, 3 December 2023

An ability word is a word that thematically groups cards with a common functionality, but has no special meaning in the Comprehensive Rules.[1]

Description

Because they indicate flavor rather than rules text, ability words are printed in italics and are separated from their corresponding rules text by an em-dash. Ability words are used to label mechanics that cannot be keyworded.[2] From a design standpoint, the important thing to note about an ability word is that you can't refer to it mechanically.[3]

History

Ability words were introduced with Unhinged's gotcha, and were first printed on tournament-legal cards in Saviors of Kamigawa with channel and sweep. Some earlier unnamed mechanics, such as Invasion block's domain, have retroactively received ability words. Odyssey block's threshold was errataed during rules changes in Time Spiral block to be an ability word, rather than a keyword, as was Mirrodin block's imprint with the release of Scars of Mirrodin.

Ability words are distinct from keyword actions and keyword abilities. Collectively, they are described as mechanics.

Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms adopts a very loose approach to ability words called flavor words, which are used to represent themed actions, character feats or magic, or monster abilities, instead of grouping similarly functioning cards.

As of 2023, R&D started experimenting with doing more one-of existing ability words in sets, as the card text explains everything and thus an ability word comes at less of a mental cost.[4]

Rules

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

Ability Word
An italicized word with no rules meaning that ties together abilities on different cards that have similar functionality. See rule 207.2c.

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

  • 207.2c An ability word appears in italics at the beginning of some abilities. Ability words are similar to keywords in that they tie together cards that have similar functionality, but they have no special rules meaning and no individual entries in the Comprehensive Rules. The ability words are adamant, addendum, alliance, battalion, bloodrush, celebration, channel, chroma, cohort, constellation, converge, council’s dilemma, coven, delirium, descend 4, descend 8, domain, eminence, enrage, fateful hour, fathomless descent, ferocious, formidable, grandeur, hellbent, heroic, imprint, inspired, join forces, kinship, landfall, lieutenant, magecraft, metalcraft, morbid, pack tactics, paradox, parley, radiance, raid, rally, revolt, secret council, spell mastery, strive, sweep, tempting offer, threshold, undergrowth, and will of the council.

Examples

Examples of ability words are:

  • Metalcraft — {Additional or alternate effect} if you control three or more artifacts.
  • Sweep — Return any number of {basic land types} you control to their owner's hand. {An effect based on the number of lands returned.}

List of ability words

Acorn ability words

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 28, 2023). "What kind of considerations go into determining if something should be an ability word vs. a keyword ability?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 28, 2008). "Ability Word to Your Mother". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 10, 2022). "Even More Words From R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 14, 2023). "Why did we get a single card with Battle Cry in ONE?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
 
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