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==Description==
==Description==
All flanking creatures are either [[knight]]s on [[horse]]back or are a [[centaur]], they have a tactical height advantage.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/179201166138/hi-mark-its-my-birthday-today-so-i-was-hoping-i|title=I was hoping I could get some trivia on my favorite mechanic, Flanking.|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=October 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/152111927723/how-is-flanking-primarily-white-if-its-basically-a|title=How is flanking primarily white if its basically a weaker wither?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=October 21, 2016}}</ref> The name is inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Flanking|effective military tactic]] of attacking the enemy at an angle to the enemy’s direction of engagement.  
With one exception (<c>Sidewinder Sliver</c>), all flanking creatures are either [[knight]]s on [[horse]]back or [[centaur]]s; they have a tactical height advantage and the added mobility to swing around the enemy and attack in the flanks.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/179201166138/hi-mark-its-my-birthday-today-so-i-was-hoping-i|title=I was hoping I could get some trivia on my favorite mechanic, Flanking.|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=October 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/152111927723/how-is-flanking-primarily-white-if-its-basically-a|title=How is flanking primarily white if its basically a weaker wither?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=October 21, 2016}}</ref> The name is inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Flanking|effective military tactic]] of attacking the enemy at an angle to the enemy’s direction of engagement.  


The first tournament-legal cards with this keyword were printed in the [[Mirage block]], with a further set of Flanking cards appearing in [[Time Spiral block]].<ref>{{NewRef|https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/ask-wizards-november-2006-2006-11-01|Ask Wizards: With ''Time Spiral'' did you consider re-templating flanking to read "flanking 1" like the other numbered keywords (mainly bushido)?|[[Mark Gottlieb]]|November 20, 2006}}</ref>  The ability is found in all colors, but is [[primary]] a [[white]] or [[red]] ability.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/fight-club-part-2-2011-02-14|Fight Club, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 14, 2011}}</ref> In the Mirage block it is found on eight white creatures, four red creatures, three black creatures and one each in blue and green. In the Time Spiral block, the ability is mainly white, appearing on ten white creatures, three red creatures and one black creature.
The first tournament-legal cards with this keyword were printed in the [[Mirage block]], with a further set of Flanking cards appearing in [[Time Spiral block]].<ref>{{NewRef|https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/ask-wizards-november-2006-2006-11-01|Ask Wizards: With ''Time Spiral'' did you consider re-templating flanking to read "flanking 1" like the other numbered keywords (mainly bushido)?|[[Mark Gottlieb]]|November 20, 2006}}</ref>  The ability is found in all colors, but is [[primary]] a [[white]] or [[red]].<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/fight-club-part-2-2011-02-14|Fight Club, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 14, 2011}}</ref> In the Mirage block it is found on eight white creatures, four red creatures, three black creatures and one each in blue and green. In the Time Spiral block, the ability is mainly white, appearing on ten white creatures, three red creatures and one black creature.


Flanking is currently a 7 on the [[Storm Scale]].<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/152272630728/speaking-of-sidar-kondo-wheres-flanking-on-the|title=Where's flanking on the storm scale?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> [[R&D]] considers Flanking’s problem to be its lack of flanking against other flankers, which was not understood by the majority of players.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/133765257278/i-noticed-flanking-was-an-if-what-are-the|title=What are the issues that might prevent Flanking's return?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=November 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/62083078271/whats-wrong-with-flanking-not-giving-1-1-if|title=What's wrong with Flanking not giving -1/-1 if blocked by another Flanker?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=September 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/54689018904/flankings-problem-is-it-was-self-referential|title=Why was this a problem for flanking when it's not a problem for flying?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=July 05, 2013}}</ref> A renamed version without the self-referential component ("flanking creatures do not flank other flankers") is more likely.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/38641909315/is-flanking-coming-back-any-time-soon-i-guess|title=is Flanking coming back any time soon?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> A rethemed Flanking would fit very well in [[black]]'s part of the [[color pie]].<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/133784653708/hi-mark-would-a-rethemed-flanking-fit-in|title=Would a rethemed Flanking fit in Blue/Black's color pie?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=November 23, 2015}}</ref>
Flanking is currently a 7 on the [[Storm Scale]].<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/152272630728/speaking-of-sidar-kondo-wheres-flanking-on-the|title=Where's flanking on the storm scale?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> [[R&D]] considers Flanking’s problem to be its lack of flanking against other flankers, which was not understood by the majority of players.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/133765257278/i-noticed-flanking-was-an-if-what-are-the|title=What are the issues that might prevent Flanking's return?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=November 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/62083078271/whats-wrong-with-flanking-not-giving-1-1-if|title=What's wrong with Flanking not giving -1/-1 if blocked by another Flanker?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=September 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/54689018904/flankings-problem-is-it-was-self-referential|title=Why was this a problem for flanking when it's not a problem for flying?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=July 05, 2013}}</ref> A renamed version without the self-referential component ("flanking creatures do not flank other flankers") is more likely.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/38641909315/is-flanking-coming-back-any-time-soon-i-guess|title=is Flanking coming back any time soon?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> A rethemed Flanking would fit very well in [[black]]'s part of the [[color pie]].<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/133784653708/hi-mark-would-a-rethemed-flanking-fit-in|title=Would a rethemed Flanking fit in Blue/Black's color pie?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=November 23, 2015}}</ref>

Revision as of 15:40, 19 October 2018

Flanking
Keyword Ability
Type Triggered
Introduced Mirage
Last used Commander 2016
Reminder Text Flanking (Whenever a creature without flanking blocks this creature, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.)
Statistics 33 cards
{W}53% {R}22% {B}13% {G}6% {U}3%
Artifact 3%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Flanking"

Flanking is a keyword ability that gives creatures that block a creature with flanking -1/-1, unless the blocker also has flanking.[1][2]

Description

With one exception (Sidewinder Sliver), all flanking creatures are either knights on horseback or centaurs; they have a tactical height advantage and the added mobility to swing around the enemy and attack in the flanks.[3][4] The name is inspired by the effective military tactic of attacking the enemy at an angle to the enemy’s direction of engagement.

The first tournament-legal cards with this keyword were printed in the Mirage block, with a further set of Flanking cards appearing in Time Spiral block.[5] The ability is found in all colors, but is primary a white or red.[6] In the Mirage block it is found on eight white creatures, four red creatures, three black creatures and one each in blue and green. In the Time Spiral block, the ability is mainly white, appearing on ten white creatures, three red creatures and one black creature.

Flanking is currently a 7 on the Storm Scale.[7] R&D considers Flanking’s problem to be its lack of flanking against other flankers, which was not understood by the majority of players.[8][9][10] A renamed version without the self-referential component ("flanking creatures do not flank other flankers") is more likely.[11] A rethemed Flanking would fit very well in black's part of the color pie.[12]

Rules

Template:Keyword CR

Rulings

As this is done during the Declare Blockers Step, if a creature is put into the graveyard as a result of the -1/-1, that creature will deal no damage to the creature with Flanking, even if it has first strike. The creature with flanking is still considered blocked, however, so no damage will be dealt to defending player, unless the creature with flanking also has trample.

  • Flanking only triggers when a creature with flanking becomes blocked, not when it blocks.
  • This may kill the blocker prior to damage being assigned in combat, but the attacker is still blocked.
  • Flanking applies to blockers which are not assigned to the Flanking creature directly. For example, creatures that become blockers due to blocking a member of a band which includes the Flanking creature are subject to the Flanking -1/-1 ability.
  • Gaining Flanking after blockers are declared will have no effect on the blockers because the time for Flanking to trigger has already passed.
  • If an attacking creature has multiple instances of the Flanking ability, even one instance of Flanking on the blocking creature will negate the effect.

Examples

Cards that grant Flanking

Enchantments

target creature

Artifacts

References

  1. ↑ Mirage FAQ
  2. ↑ Template:NewRef
  3. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (October 19, 2018). "". Tumblr.
  4. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (October 21, 2016). "". Tumblr.
  5. ↑ Template:NewRef
  6. ↑ Template:NewRef
  7. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (October 24, 2016). "". Tumblr.
  8. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (November 22, 2015). "". Tumblr.
  9. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 23, 2013). "". Tumblr.
  10. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (July 05, 2013). "". Tumblr.
  11. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (December 23, 2012). "". Tumblr.
  12. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (November 23, 2015). "". Tumblr.

Template:Keywords and abilities

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