Explore
| Explore | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Ixalan |
| Last used | Rivals of Ixalan |
| Reminder Text | Explore (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature, then put the card back on top or into your graveyard.) |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Explore" | |
Explore is a keyword action introduced in Ixalan. [1][2] It also appeared in Rivals of Ixalan.[3]
Description
If a creature you control explores, you reveal the top card of your library. If the revealed card is a land, representing your creature finding some new territory you can check out, put that card into your hand. If it's not a land card, your creature comes back empty-handed but still benefits from the attempt. Specifically, you put a +1/+1 counter on it. Then, you decide whether the nonland card goes back on top of your library or into your graveyard. In a sense, Explore is an upgraded version of Scry.
Most creatures that explore, do so because of an triggered ability when they enter the battlefield. Creatures may also explore as a result of an activated ability.
Ixalan has a few cards with abilities that trigger whenever a creature you control explores.
Rules
Rulings
- Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it's done. Notably, opponents can't try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter.[4]
- If no card is revealed, most likely because that player's library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter.
- If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger "whenever a creature you control explores" trigger if appropriate.
- Creatures can't explore unless an effect allows it to do so.
- When a triggered or an activated ability resolves, if the creature is no longer on the battlefield, it can still explore. If you reveal a land card, you'll still put it into your hand. If you reveal a nonland card, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on the now-absent creature, but you will decide whether the card goes back on your library or into the graveyard.