Absorb

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Absorb
Keyword Ability
Type Static
Introduced Future Sight
Last used Future Sight
Reminder Text Absorb N (If a source would deal damage to this creature, prevent N of that damage.)
Storm Scale 8[1]
Statistics
1 card
{W} 100%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Absorb"

Absorb is a damage prevention keyword ability, written as Absorb N, where N is any natural number. It prevents N damage from each single source that deals damage to the creature.

Description

Absorb was introduced in Future Sight.[2] By its nature as a damage prevention ability, this is a white ability. It has only been printed on one card so far, the timeshifted Lymph Sliver.

This mechanic was inspired by a mechanic Wizards of the Coast had made for the Star Wars Trading Card Game called Armor.[3] It ended up being a little too powerful and stalled the game too much to reuse in greater number.[2] As such, when the effect was reused for Shield of the Realm in Dominaria, it wasn't even made a keyword ability.

Rules

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

Absorb
A keyword ability that prevents damage. See rule 702.64, “Absorb.”

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

  • 702.64. Absorb
    • 702.64a Absorb is a static ability. “Absorb N” means “If a source would deal damage to this creature, prevent N of that damage.”
    • 702.64b Each absorb ability can prevent only N damage from any one source at any one time. It will apply separately to damage from other sources, or to damage dealt by the same source at a different time.
    • 702.64c If an object has multiple instances of absorb, each applies separately.

Example

Example

Lymph Sliver {4}{W}
Creature — Sliver
3/3
All Sliver creatures have absorb 1. (If a source would deal damage to a Sliver, prevent 1 of that damage.)

References