Modal: Difference between revisions
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'''Modal''' | '''Modal''' is a type of spell [[spell]] or [[ability]] in ''[[Magic]]'' that give the [[player|caster]] a choice of two or more [[effect]]s when they are [[cast]]. <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/à-la-mode-2014-02-2|À La Mode|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 21, 2014}}</ref> | ||
==Description== | |||
A modal spell or ability begins with "Choose one —" followed by multiple possible effect choices, or modes. When a modal spell or ability is announced its controller first chooses one of the modes to take effect before choosing its [[target]] or targets if it requires any. The earliest modal spell is <c>Healing Salve</c>, although initially it didn't have the "Choose one -" wording. It was reworded when reprinted in ''[[Urza's Saga]]''. | |||
There are several variations of modal spells and abilities: "An opponent chooses one —" appears on three spells, <c>Fatal Lore</c>, <c>Library of Lat-Nam</c> and <c>Misfortune</c>, all from ''[[Alliances]]''. Another is called a modal [[replacement effect]] and reads "If [event], instead choose one —". This wording was used for <c>Time Vault</c>'s [[Oracle]] text at one point, but is no longer on any cards. "Choose two -" appears on a cycle of cards (Command cycle from ''[[Lorwyn]]''); and is given a choice of four effects, and as expected allows the user to use two of them. "Choose one or both -" has appeared a few times in the [[Alara]] block and ''[[Zendikar]]''; two effects are given, and the caster is allowed to choose either for resolution. This is to allow [[Answer flexibility|flexibility]] if the caster prefers to use only one effect (or is forced to, for lack of a valid target for one half), while allowing the capability to perform both if required. This was an updated wording of the effects of <c>Hull Breach</c>, which was forced to list out all three options. | There are several variations of modal spells and abilities: "An opponent chooses one —" appears on three spells, <c>Fatal Lore</c>, <c>Library of Lat-Nam</c> and <c>Misfortune</c>, all from ''[[Alliances]]''. Another is called a modal [[replacement effect]] and reads "If [event], instead choose one —". This wording was used for <c>Time Vault</c>'s [[Oracle]] text at one point, but is no longer on any cards. "Choose two -" appears on a cycle of cards (Command cycle from ''[[Lorwyn]]''); and is given a choice of four effects, and as expected allows the user to use two of them. "Choose one or both -" has appeared a few times in the [[Alara]] block and ''[[Zendikar]]''; two effects are given, and the caster is allowed to choose either for resolution. This is to allow [[Answer flexibility|flexibility]] if the caster prefers to use only one effect (or is forced to, for lack of a valid target for one half), while allowing the capability to perform both if required. This was an updated wording of the effects of <c>Hull Breach</c>, which was forced to list out all three options. | ||
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In August 2014 all cards that offer a choice were reformatted on [[gatherer]] to have bullet points. This paved the the way for the subsequent release of the [[Khans of Tarkir block]] which also featured modal spells with bullet points. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/designing-your-fate-2014-12-29|Designing Your Fate|[[Ken Nagle]]|December 29, 2014}}</ref> | In August 2014 all cards that offer a choice were reformatted on [[gatherer]] to have bullet points. This paved the the way for the subsequent release of the [[Khans of Tarkir block]] which also featured modal spells with bullet points. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/designing-your-fate-2014-12-29|Designing Your Fate|[[Ken Nagle]]|December 29, 2014}}</ref> | ||
==Rules== | |||
{{rules|text= | {{rules|text= | ||
'''From the [[Comprehensive Rules]]''': | '''From the [[Comprehensive Rules]]''': | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Magic rules]] | [[Category:Magic rules]][[Category:Miscellaneous mechanics]] | ||
Revision as of 05:26, 7 July 2015
Modal is a type of spell spell or ability in Magic that give the caster a choice of two or more effects when they are cast. [1]
Description
A modal spell or ability begins with "Choose one —" followed by multiple possible effect choices, or modes. When a modal spell or ability is announced its controller first chooses one of the modes to take effect before choosing its target or targets if it requires any. The earliest modal spell is Healing Salve, although initially it didn't have the "Choose one -" wording. It was reworded when reprinted in Urza's Saga.
There are several variations of modal spells and abilities: "An opponent chooses one —" appears on three spells, Fatal Lore, Library of Lat-Nam and Misfortune, all from Alliances. Another is called a modal replacement effect and reads "If [event], instead choose one —". This wording was used for Time Vault's Oracle text at one point, but is no longer on any cards. "Choose two -" appears on a cycle of cards (Command cycle from Lorwyn); and is given a choice of four effects, and as expected allows the user to use two of them. "Choose one or both -" has appeared a few times in the Alara block and Zendikar; two effects are given, and the caster is allowed to choose either for resolution. This is to allow flexibility if the caster prefers to use only one effect (or is forced to, for lack of a valid target for one half), while allowing the capability to perform both if required. This was an updated wording of the effects of Hull Breach, which was forced to list out all three options.
In August 2014 all cards that offer a choice were reformatted on gatherer to have bullet points. This paved the the way for the subsequent release of the Khans of Tarkir block which also featured modal spells with bullet points. [2]
Rules
From the ()
- See also: entwine.