Morbid

Morbid is an ability word, introduced in Innistrad, which signals that a spell or ability has different effects, additional effects, or may only be used if a creature has died earlier in the same turn.

Rulings

• Morbid abilities merely check if a creature died earlier in the turn. The creature card doesn't need to still be in the graveyard.
• Token creatures can also die, going to their owner's graveyard before ceasing to exist.
• Some morbid abilities that appear on instants and sorceries use the word "instead." The spells have an upgraded effect when they resolve if a creature has died earlier in the turn. You only get the upgraded effect, not both effects.
• Some morbid abilities are activated abilities of permanents. To activate such an ability, a creature must have died earlier in the turn.
• Triggered morbid abilities use an intervening "if" clause. A creature must have died earlier in the turn in order for these abilities to trigger; otherwise they do nothing. In other words, there's no way to have the ability trigger if no creature has died that turn, even if you intend to have a creature die in response to the triggered ability.

External links

• http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/innistrad/mechanics#2
• http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/faq/isd