Ward: Difference between revisions

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
>Hunterofsalvation
No edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:
Whenever a [[permanent]] with ward becomes the [[target]] of a [[spell]] or [[ability]] an [[opponent]] [[control]]s, [[counter]] it unless that player pays an additional [[cost]].
Whenever a [[permanent]] with ward becomes the [[target]] of a [[spell]] or [[ability]] an [[opponent]] [[control]]s, [[counter]] it unless that player pays an additional [[cost]].


The two most common forms you'll see are costing additional [[mana]] (in [[white]], [[blue]], and [[green]]) and costing additional [[life]] (in [[black]] and [[red]]). These two approaches both protect against [[removal]] but ask different things of the rest of your deck and give opponents different incentives for when to bite the bullet and remove the warded creature. Going forward, expect to see some more unique ward costs as well.<ref name=":0" />
Before it was keyworded, Ward was known as '''Frost armor'''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/187890506203/hi-mark-in-the-past-youve-mentioned-how-hexproof|title=Do you imagine the "pay N more to target this creature" tax would be a viable way to phase Hexproof out?|September 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/187891937538/is-frost-armor-limited-to-blue-or-should-we|title=Is Frost Armor limited to blue, or should we expect to see it in other colors if it is becoming more common?|September 22, 2019}}</ref> Early examples with this mechanic were <c>Frost Titan</c> and <c>Diffusion Sliver</c>.
 
The two most common forms are costing additional [[mana]] (in [[white]], [[blue]], and [[green]]) and costing additional [[life]] (in [[black]] and [[red]]). These two approaches both protect against [[removal]] but ask different things of the rest of your deck and give opponents different incentives for when to bite the bullet and remove the warded creature. Going forward, [[R&D]] announced some more unique ward costs as well.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/646654147135979520/will-ward-coexist-with-frost-armour-or-are-they|title=Will ward coexist with Frost armour? Or are they functionally the same?|March 25, 2021}}</ref>


Any spell or ability controlled by an opponent can be affected by ward. This includes [[Aura]] spells, [[triggered ability|triggered abilities]], and anything else that [[target]] a permanent with ward. Spells and abilities that don't target won't cause ward to trigger, though.
Any spell or ability controlled by an opponent can be affected by ward. This includes [[Aura]] spells, [[triggered ability|triggered abilities]], and anything else that [[target]] a permanent with ward. Spells and abilities that don't target won't cause ward to trigger, though.

Revision as of 15:18, 26 March 2021

Ward
Keyword Action
Introduced Strixhaven: School of Mages
Last used Evergreen
Reminder Text Ward [cost] (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays [cost].)
Statistics
3 cards
{U} 66.7% {G/U} 33.3%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Ward"
For Ward auras, see Ward (aura).

Ward is an evergreen keyword action introduced in Strixhaven: School of Mages.[1][2] Ward is a triggered ability.

Description

Whenever a permanent with ward becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays an additional cost.

Before it was keyworded, Ward was known as Frost armor.[3][4] Early examples with this mechanic were Frost Titan and Diffusion Sliver.

The two most common forms are costing additional mana (in white, blue, and green) and costing additional life (in black and red). These two approaches both protect against removal but ask different things of the rest of your deck and give opponents different incentives for when to bite the bullet and remove the warded creature. Going forward, R&D announced some more unique ward costs as well.[1][5]

Any spell or ability controlled by an opponent can be affected by ward. This includes Aura spells, triggered abilities, and anything else that target a permanent with ward. Spells and abilities that don't target won't cause ward to trigger, though.

Example

Example

Adrix and Nev, Twincasters {2}{G}{U}
Legendary Creature - Merfolk Wizard
Ward {2} (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays {2}).
If one or more tokens would be created under your control, twice that many of those tokens are created instead.

References