Morbid
| Morbid | |
|---|---|
| Ability Word | |
| Introduced | Innistrad |
| Last used | Modern Horizons |
| Typical Text | Morbid — …, if a creature died this turn, … |
| Statistics |
19 cards  36.8%  10.5%  47.4%  5.3% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Morbid" | |
Morbid is an ability word introduced in Innistrad. It signals that a spell or ability has different effects, additional effects, or may only be used if a creature has died earlier in the same turn.[1]
History
After Innistrad, morbid was also featured in Dark Ascension, Conspiracy, Commander 2014 and Modern Horizons[2].
Rulings
- Morbid abilities merely check if a creature died earlier in the turn. The creature card doesn't need to still be in the graveyard.
- Token creatures can also die, going to their owner's graveyard before ceasing to exist.
- Some morbid abilities that appear on instants and sorceries use the word "instead." The spells have an upgraded effect when they resolve if a creature has died earlier in the turn. You only get the upgraded effect, not both effects.
- Some morbid abilities are activated abilities of permanents. To activate such an ability, a creature must have died earlier in the turn.
- Triggered morbid abilities use an intervening "if" clause. A creature must have died earlier in the turn in order for these abilities to trigger; otherwise, they do nothing. In other words, there's no way to have the ability trigger if no creature has died that turn, even if you intend to have a creature die in response to the triggered ability.
- Using Morbid allows a card to be state-based as long as conditions are met.
Examples
Example
Hollowhenge Scavenger 
Creature — Elemental
4/5
Morbid — When Hollowhenge Scavenger enters the battlefield, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life.
References
- ↑ Zac Hill (November 11, 2011). "Morbid Thoughts". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (May 31, 2019). "Modern Horizons Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.