Graft

Graft
Keyword Ability
Type	Static (1st ability) Triggered (2nd ability)
Introduced	Dissension
Last used	Future Sight
Reminder Text	Graft N (This creature enters the battlefield with N +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.)
Storm Scale	8
Statistics	13 cards 38.5% 53.8% 7.7%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Graft"

Graft is a keyword ability, introduced in Dissension expansion, that is associated with the Simic guild, and works by allowing a creature with graft to move a +1/+1 counter from itself onto a creature that just entered the battlefield. Thus far, only creatures that are aligned with the Simic guild (green and/or blue) have graft. The only non-creature card with graft is Llanowar Reborn from Future Sight.

Rules

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

Graft

A keyword ability that has a permanent enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it and can move those counters to other creatures. See rule 702.58, “Graft.”

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

• 702.58. Graft
  • 702.58a Graft represents both a static ability and a triggered ability. “Graft N” means “This permanent enters the battlefield with N +1/+1 counters on it” and “Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, if this permanent has a +1/+1 counter on it, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this permanent onto that creature.”
  • 702.58b If a permanent has multiple instances of graft, each one works separately.

Rulings

• All creatures with graft in Dissension are 0/0 creatures. When the last +1/+1 counter is moved off of it, it will be put into its owner's graveyard as a state-based effect unless some other effect is boosting its toughness.
• Graft's triggered ability triggers each time a creature enters the battlefield, regardless of who controls the new creature. A player may move a +1/+1 counter onto another player's creature this way.
• When a creature enters the battlefield, all graft abilities will trigger. The controllers of those abilities choose, one at a time as those abilities resolve, whether to move a counter. A creature that has just entered the battlefield may receive multiple +1/+1 counters this way.
• Graft isn't targeted. The ability can move a counter onto an untargetable creature or a creature with protection from creatures.
• The counter moved off a creature with graft as the graft ability resolves doesn't have to be one of the counters put on the card as a result of the graft ability. It can be any +1/+1 counter on it. No other types of counters may be moved this way.
• If a permanent with graft isn't a creature when a new creature enters the battlefield, the graft ability will still trigger and a +1/+1 counter may still be moved.
• If a creature with graft and another creature enter the battlefield simultaneously, the graft ability will trigger. The ability's controller may move a +1/+1 counter onto the other creature.
• Many creatures with graft also have an activated ability that targets a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it. In most cases, that means it can target itself. The target creature may have any number of +1/+1 counters on it. The target creature doesn't need to have graft.
• If the target of such an activated ability loses all its +1/+1 counters before the ability resolves, the ability will not be resolved for having an illegal target. If the targeted creature loses all its +1/+1 counters after the ability resolves, it won't lose the bonus it was granted by the ability.

Examples

Example

Helium Squirter
Creature — Beast Mutant
0/0
Graft 3 (This creature enters the battlefield with three +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters the battlefield, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.)
: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains flying until end of turn.

Cards that contain the graft ability

• Aquastrand spider
• Cytoplast Manipulator
• Cytoplast Root-kin
• Cytospawn Shambler
• Helium Squirter
• Llanowar Reborn
• Novijen Sages
• Plaxcaster Frogling
• Simic Basilisk
• Simic Initiate
• Sporeback Troll
• Vigean Graftmage
• Vigean Hydropon