Evergreen

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The term "evergreen", as in the context of "an evergreen keyword", refers to keywords or keyword actions that can be used in any set.[1]

Primary/Secondary/Tertiary

When talking about which colors get which evergeen creature keywords, R&D tends to talk about a system called Primary/Secondary/Tertiary. In their quest to differentiate the colors in the color wheel, each should have strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, not every color gets every keyword. [2]

  • "Primary" color means that it is the main color for a specific keyword, where it is centered (e.g. white is the primary color for lifelink or, in other words, lifelink is primary in white). When a keyword is primary in that color, it shows up more often and also may show up multiple times in common. The ability is also more likely to be granted in that color. A keyword may be primary in multiple colors (e.g. flying is primary in white and blue).
  • When the color is "secondary", the keyword shows up in almost every set, but not as often. It may show up only once in common, or only in uncommon and rare. The ability may be granted in this color, but not as regularly.
  • "Tertiary" means that the keyword shows up once in a while; not necessarily in every set. It doesn't appear at common and is seldom granted. It only appears under certain circumstances, maybe once a block
  • "Quaternary" means that the keyword shows up once in a long while; it is only allowed in very rare circumstances. It is not impossible.
  • "Quinary" means it happens only once or twice in the history of Magic. Like Akroma, Angel of Wrath having haste.

Reminder text

As the core set has always been the place for new players to start, as of Eighth Edition it was decided to include reminder text with the evergreen creature keywords.[3]

Current evergreen keywords

Keyword Type Found in First used in First keyworded in First core set First core set
as a keyword
Cards in core
sets with this
Cards in all
sets with this
Activate Action
Attach Action
Cast Action
Counter Action
Deathtouch Static Ability Black (1), Green (2) Future Sight Future Sight Magic 2010 Magic 2010 15 75
Defender Static Ability Walls in all colors[notes 1] Alpha Betrayers of Kamigawa Alpha Tenth Edition 38 207
Destroy Action
Discard Action
Double strike Static Ability Red (1), White (1) Legions Legions Tenth Edition Tenth Edition 5 62
Enchant Static Ability Auras of all colors Alpha Alpha Alpha[notes 2] Alpha 139 732
Equip Activated Ability Equipment Mirrodin Mirrodin Ninth Edition Ninth Edition 21 174
Exchange Action
Exile Action
Fight Action Red, Green Onslaught Innistrad Magic 2013 Magic 2013 2 17
First strike Static Ability White (1), Red (1), Black (3) Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha 60 374
Flash Static Ability Blue (1), Green (2), White (3)[4] Visions Time Spiral Ninth Edition Tenth Edition 12 158
Flying Static Ability White (1), Blue (1), Black (2), Red (3), Green (4) Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha 268 1813
Haste Static Ability Red (1), Black (2), Green (3) Alpha Sixth Edition Alpha Sixth Edition 45 433
Hexproof Static Ability Blue (1), Green (2), White (3), Black (3)[5] Portal Three Kingdoms Duels of the
Planeswalkers 2012
Tenth Edition Magic 2012 13 54
Indestructible Static Ability Artifacts, White (1), Green (2) Alpha Darksteel Alpha Magic 2010 9 68
Lifelink Static Ability White (1), Black (2) Mirrodin Future Sight Ninth Edition Tenth Edition 17 91
Menace [6] Static Ability Black (1), Red (2), Green (3) Alliances‎ Magic Origins‎ Fifth Edition Magic Origins‎ 10 32
Play Action
Prowess Triggered Ability Blue (1), Red (2), White (3) Khans of Tarkir Khans of Tarkir‎ Magic Origins Magic Origins‎ 4 22
Reach Static Ability Green (1), Red (2) Alpha Future Sight Alpha Tenth Edition 14 159
Regenerate Action Green (1), Black (2) Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha 38 251
Reveal Action
Sacrifice Action
Scry Action Blue (1), White (2), Black (2), Red (2), Green (2) Fifth Dawn Fifth Dawn Magic 2011 Magic 2011 5 78
Search Action
Shuffle Action
Tap/Untap Action
Trample Static Ability Green (1), Red (2), Blue (3), Black (3), White (4) Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha 56 478
Vigilance Static Ability White (1), Green (2) Alpha Champions of Kamigawa Alpha Ninth Edition 32 198

Former evergreen keywords

Keyword Type Found in First used in First keyworded in First core set First core set
as a keyword
Last used in Supplanted
by
Cards in core
sets with this
Cards in all
sets with this
Ante Action Artifacts, black, red, green Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha Homelands 6 9
Banding Static Ability White Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha Weatherlight 12 41
Bury Action
Fear Static Ability Black (1) Alpha Onslaught Alpha Eighth Edition Alara Reborn Intimidate 4 77
Shroud Static Ability Green (1), Blue (2) Legends Future Sight Fifth Edition Tenth Edition Mirrodin Besieged Hexproof 8 116
Intimidate Static Ability Black, Red Zendikar Zendikar Magic 2010 Magic 2010 Commander 2014 Menace 6 31
Landwalk Static Ability Blue (Islandwalk)
Black (Swampwalk)
Red (Mountainwalk)
Green (Forestwalk)
Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha Khans of Tarkir 44 186
Protection Static Ability White (1), Blue (2), other colors (3) Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha Magic Origins 25 273

Most these have been obsoleted, but Protection is now considered to be deciduous. It is a tool in R&D's toolbox that they're allowed to use, but it's not something they expect to use in every set. [6]

Evergreen keywords by color

Color Primary Secondary Tertiary Obsolete
{W} White Double Strike, First Strike, Flying, Lifelink, Vigilance Scry Flash, Hexproof, Prowess Banding, Protection
{U} Blue Flash, Flying, Hexproof, Prowess, Scry Trample Landwalk, Protection, Shroud
{B} Black Deathtouch, Menace Flying, Lifelink, Regeneration, Scry First strike, Hexproof, Trample Fear, Intimidate
{R} Red Double Strike, First Strike, Fight, Haste, Menace Prowess, Trample, Scry Flying Intimidate
{G} Green Fight, Reach, Regeneration, Trample Deathtouch, Flash, Hexproof, Scry, Vigilance Haste, Indestructible, Menace Shroud
{C} Colorless Indestructible, Equip

Notes

  1. Originally the creature type "Wall" carried the special rule that the creature couldn't attack. This was removed sometime around Betrayers of Kamigawa. Walls printed prior to that set have received errata giving them defender.
  2. By errata as of Ninth Edition. Originally cards that now have the subtype Aura were "local enchantments", with a type including what it could enchant, such as "Enchant Creature" or "Enchant Land".

References

  1. Template:NewRef
  2. Mark Rosewater (November 6, 2015) "Primary/Secondary/Tertiary". Drive to Work # 276
  3. Template:NewRef
  4. Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (January 29, 2016). "". Tumblr.
  5. Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (April 03, 2016). "". Tumblr.
  6. a b Template:NewRef

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