Morbid
| Morbid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ability Word | |
| Introduced | Innistrad |
| Last used | Magic: The Gathering Foundations |
| Typical Text | Morbid — …, if a creature died this turn, … |
| Storm Scale | 5[1] |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Morbid is an ability word introduced in Innistrad. It signals that a spell or ability has different effects, additional effects, or may only be used if a creature has died earlier in the same turn.[2]
History
During design, morbid was called "deathwatch".[3] The design of encouraging attrition in combat later inspired ability words such as Revolt, Descend, and Void. These later mechanics would trend toward not being featured on instants, as it made the opponent more hesitant to attack.
After Innistrad, morbid was also featured in Dark Ascension, Conspiracy, Commander 2014, Modern Horizons, and Foundations.[4] Without the ability word, it was featured as the 
draft archetype in Core Set 2021 and Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and occurs sporadically on single cards.
Morbid was one of the non-evergreen, non-deciduous ability words included in the Unfinity sticker sheets. It also was included as a one-off in the Doctor Who, Fallout and Duskmourn: House of Horror Commander decks, as well as in the Horizons series.
Cards that have a form of morbid without the ability word are generally encapsulated within this search
Rulings
- Morbid abilities merely check if a creature died earlier in the turn. The creature card doesn't need to still be in the graveyard.
- Token creatures can also die, going to their owner's graveyard before ceasing to exist.
- Some morbid abilities that appear on instants and sorceries use the word "instead." The spells have an upgraded effect when they resolve if a creature has died earlier in the turn. You only get the upgraded effect, not both effects.
- Some morbid abilities are activated abilities of permanents. To activate such an ability, a creature must have died earlier in the turn.
- Triggered morbid abilities use an intervening "if" clause. A creature must have died earlier in the turn in order for these abilities to trigger; otherwise, they do nothing. In other words, there's no way to have the ability trigger if no creature has died that turn, even if you intend to have a creature die in response to the triggered ability.
- Using Morbid allows a card to be state-based as long as conditions are met.
Examples
Example
Hollowhenge Scavenger 
Creature — Elemental
4/5
Morbid — When this creature enters, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2017-03-27). "Storm Scale: Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Zac Hill (November 11, 2011). "Morbid Thoughts". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-01-22.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 23, 2021). "Innistrad Design Handoff Document". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (May 31, 2019). "Modern Horizons Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.