Dies

Dies and died are descriptive terms on Magic cards, which replace the phrase "is put into a graveyard from the battlefield" or "has been put into a graveyard from the battlefield". In contrast to the similar Destroy, these are not keyword actions. Their main function is to be used as a condition for triggerred abilities. As such it mirrors enters the battlefield effects.

History

"Dies" used to be a slang term for this occurrence before and was reintroduced in Magic 2012, in anticipation of Innistrad and the Morbid mechanic. It used to be exclusive to creatures while other card types still use the old phrasing. As of Core Set 2019, a planeswalker is also considered to "die" when sent from the battlefield to the graveyard (Ajani’s Last Stand).

Rules

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

Dies

A creature or planeswalker “dies” if it is put into a graveyard from the battlefield. See rule 700.4.

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

• 700.4. The term dies means “is put into a graveyard from the battlefield.”

See also

• Undying