Decayed
| Decayed | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Static |
| Introduced | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt |
| Last used | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt |
| Reminder Text | Decayed (This creature can't block. When it attacks, sacrifice it at the end of combat.) |
| Statistics |
20 cards  30%  60%  5%  5% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Decayed" | |
Decayed is a keyword ability introduced in Innistrad: Midnight Hunt.
Description
Decayed creatures can't block. When they attack, they are sacrificed at the end of combat.[1]
No printed cards have decayed, as the mechanic is usually only seen on token cards. The tokens that are created with the mechanic are all 2/2 black Zombie tokens.
In some instances, the mechanic is added to creatures that are returned after having died (Gisa, Glorious Resurrector) or from the graveyard (Ghouls' Night Out).
Decayed was designed to create more Zombie creature tokens at low rarities and at a cheaper cost.[1] R&D liked the flavor of slowly building up a Zombie army and winning the game by attacking with a horde. The idea is that each Zombie has one attack, and you want to save it until it is the right time to use it. This way, the opponent had to treat the Zombie creature tokens as a potential threat, but without the stress of escalating combat math. The drawback creates a new play pattern[1], with different archetypes having different ways of exploiting 2/2 creatures that can die on command.
History
When Innistrad: Midnight Hunt took the decayed Zombie creature tokens from Innistrad: Crimson Vow, they traded them the Spirit mechanic (Disturb).[1][2]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Decayed
- A keyword ability that means “This creature can’t block” and “When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat. See rule 702.147, “Decayed.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.147. Decayed
- 702.147a Decayed represents a static ability and a triggered ability. “Decayed” means “This creature can’t block” and “When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.”
Rulings
- Decayed represents a static ability and a triggered ability. "Decayed" means "This creature can't block" and "When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat."[3]
- Decayed does not create any attacking requirements. You may choose not to attack with a creature that has decayed.
- Decayed does not grant haste. Creatures with decayed that enter the battlefield during your turn may not attack until your next turn.
- Once a creature with decayed attacks, it will be sacrificed at end of combat, even if it no longer has decayed at that time.
Examples
Example
Hobbling Zombie 
Creature — Zombie
2/2
Deathtouch
When Hobbling Zombie dies, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature with decayed. (It can’t block. When it attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.)
References
- ↑ a b c d Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2021). "Happy Hunt-ing, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 8, 2021). "From Vow On, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 15, 2021). "Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.