Channel
Channel is an ability word indicating that a card may be discarded for an effect. It was introduced in Saviors of Kamigawa.
Channel is written "Channel -- {Cost}, Discard this card: {Effect}."
Channel was featured only on spirit creatures. Flavorwise, Channel represents spirits gathering all of their energy and using it for a one-time special effect. It has an interaction with Epic and Soulshift; Channel abilities are often similar to real spells, but you may play them after playing an Epic spell. Soulshift allows you to reuse Channeled cards.
The Evoke ability from Lorwyn has a similar flavor and use.
Rulings
- Channel cards have an activated ability that lets you discard them to get a temporary effect that's similar to the creature's normal ability.
- The ability after "channel" is an activated ability that you can play any time the channel card is in your hand and you have priority.
Examples
Color percentages
There is a total of 12 cards that involve channel, which divide by color as such:
- Green = 25 %
- Red = 25 %
- Black = 16 %
- Blue = 16 %
- White = 16 %