Escalate

Escalate
Keyword Ability
Type	Static
Introduced	Eldritch Moon
Last used	Modern Horizons 3
Reminder Text	Escalate [cost] (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Storm Scale	5
Statistics	8 cards 37.5% 25% 37.5%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Escalate"

Escalate is a keyword ability appearing on modal instants and sorceries, i.e. ones with the "Choose one or more —" clause. It was first featured in Eldritch Moon.

Description

By paying the escalate cost, additional modes may be activated. Escalate was designed by Sam Stoddard's development team, and inspired by the old entwine mechanic.

History

Escalate was reused as a one-off in Modern Horizons 3.

Rules

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

Escalate

A keyword ability on some modal spells that adds a cost for choosing additional modes. See rule 702.120, “Escalate.”

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

• 702.120. Escalate
  • 702.120a Escalate is a static ability of modal spells (see rule 700.2) that functions while the spell with escalate is on the stack. “Escalate [cost]” means “For each mode you choose beyond the first as you cast this spell, you pay an additional [cost].” Paying a spell’s escalate cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 601.2f–h.

Examples

Example

Blessed Alliance
Instant
Escalate (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more —
• Target player gains 4 life.
• Untap up to two target creatures.
• Target opponent sacrifices an attacking creature.

See also

• Entwine
• Spree