Ward

For Ward auras, see Ward (aura).

Ward
[[File:{{#setmainimage:MTGSymbols-Ward.png}}|70x70px]]
Keyword Ability
Type	Triggered
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	68 cards 10.3% 33.8% 7.4% 2.9% 17.6% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 2.9% 1.5% 1.5% 4.4% 5.9% 4.4% 1.5%
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keyword:"Ward"

Ward is an evergreen keyword ability introduced in Strixhaven: School of Mages. 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. Early examples with this mechanic was Frost Titan and Diffusion Sliver. The life payment variant had its closest example in Ashenmoor Liege. A variant on cards like Boreal Elemental and Terror of the Peaks simply increased the cost of targeting, which are not vulnerable to uncounterable effects.

The two most common forms are costing additional mana (in white, blue, and green) or costing a payment of 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. Discarding a card became a quick third as a cost, which Reality Smasher was a predecessor of.

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.

Featured costs

Cost	Introduced in	Color	Example
Additional mana	Strixhaven: School of Mages		Hamlet Vanguard
Life	Strixhaven: School of Mages		Owlin Shieldmage
Discard a card	Adventures in the Forgotten Realms		Westgate Regent

Rules

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

Ward

A triggered ability that can counter spells or abilities that target the permanent with ward. See rule 702.21, “Ward.”

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

• 702.21. Ward
  • 702.21a Ward is a triggered ability. Ward [cost] means “Whenever this permanent becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter that spell or ability unless that player pays [cost].”
  • 702.21b Some ward abilities include an X in their cost and state what X is equal to. This value is determined at the time the ability resolves, not locked in as the ability triggers.

Ruling

• If a player casts a spell that targets multiple permanents their opponent controls with Ward, each of those Ward abilities will trigger. If that player doesn't pay for all of them, the spell will be countered.
• If a spell or ability that can't be countered targets one or more permanents with Ward, ignore the Ward ability completely. The Ward triggers but produces no effect on resolution.

Example

Example

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

Cards that grant Ward

Creatures

• Bronze Guardian — (for other artifacts)
• Dragon's Disciple — (for Dragons)
• Giant Ankheg —
• A-Kargan Warleader — (for Warriors)
• Storvald, Frost Giant Jarl —
• Svyelun of Sea and Sky (for Merfolk)

Equipment

• Dancing Sword —
• Leather Armor —
• Plate Armor —
• Winged Boots —

Sorceries

• Better Offer — (Perpetually)