Awaken

Awaken
Keyword Ability
Type	Static (1st ability) Spell (2nd ability)
Introduced	Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi‎
Last used	Battle for Zendikar‎
Reminder Text	Awaken N — [cost] (If you cast this card for [cost], also put N +1/+1 counters on target land you control and it becomes a 0/0 Elemental creature with haste. It's still a land.)
Storm Scale	4
Statistics	16 cards 38% 25% 19% 6% 6% Multicolor 6%
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keyword:"Awaken"

Awaken is a keyword ability that provides an alternative cost. If a spell is cast for its awaken cost, in addition to its other effects, it animates a land you control as a 0/0 Elemental creature with N +1/+1 counters on it.

History

Awaken was introduced in Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi‎, as a preview for Battle for Zendikar‎.

In design, the number of +1/+1 counters, was locked - first at 2 and then at 3. Development changed it to a number to add an extra "knob" to balance them.

Examples

Example

Sheer Drop
Sorcery
Destroy target tapped creature.
Awaken 3— (If you cast this card for , also put three +1/+1 counters on target land you control and it becomes a 0/0 Elemental creature with haste. It's still a land.)

Rulings

• You can target a land that's already a creature.
• If you cast a spell for its awaken cost, you must choose a legal target for every instance of the word "target," including the one included in the awaken ability.
• If a spell with awaken normally doesn't require a target, and you choose to cast it for its awaken cost, you will add a target to the spell by doing so. If that target land becomes illegal before the spell tries to resolve, the spell will be countered.