Morbid

Morbid
Ability Word
Introduced	Innistrad
Last used	Modern Horizons
Typical Text	Morbid — …, if a creature died this turn, …
Statistics	18 cards 38.9% 5.6% 50% 5.6%
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keyword:"Morbid"

Morbid is an ability word introduced in Innistrad. It 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.

History

After Innistrad, morbid was also featured in Dark Ascension, Conspiracy, Commander 2014 and Modern Horizons.

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.
• Using Morbid allows a card to be state based as long as conditions are met.

Examples

Example

Hollowhenge Scavenger
Creature — Elemental
4/5
Morbid — When Hollowhenge Scavenger enters the battlefield, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life.

External links

• Innistrad mechanics
• Innistrad faq