Predefined token

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A predefined token is a concept used in card text where an effect may create tokens simply by stating what kind of token will be created, and the game rules have already defined what characteristics the resulting object will have. Blood, Clue, Food, Gold, Incubator, Junk, Map, Powerstone and Treasure are the predefined tokens for artifacts. Role and Shard are the predefined tokens for enchantments. Walker is the only predefined token for creatures.

Description

Abilities normally state the characteristics of tokens they create, such as color, types, and text. When one of the predefined token types is specified, however, the rest of the characteristics are not stated, since they are specified by the game rules already. This allows for shorter card text, similar to keyword actions and abilities as well as batching terminology. Like those cases, many cards employing predefined tokens include reminder text to clarify the specifics of that token.

Each kind of artifact and enchantment predefined token so far is specified as a subtype and includes a single activated ability. Other cards or tokens may have the same subtype; these usually do have the matching predefined ability, but this is not guaranteed by rule - for instance, Gingerbrute has the "Food ability" in addition to other characteristics not found on other Foods, but Glittering Stockpile does not have the predefined "Treasure ability". Gaining or losing such subtypes does not affect a permanent's abilities or functionality, in contrast to the intrinsic ability of basic land types or the game rules governing Sagas for example.

Example 1

Vampires' Vengeance {2}{R}
Instant
Vampires’ Vengeance deals 2 damage to each non-Vampire creature. Create a Blood token. (It’s an artifact with “{1}, {T}, Discard a card, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.”)

Example 2

Fae Offering {2}{G}
Enchantment
At the beginning of each end step, if you’ve cast both a creature spell and a noncreature spell this turn, create a Clue token, a Food token, and a Treasure token.

Development

Predefined tokens had roots in Investigate, which defined token properties as part of a keyword action. Over time R&D realized they didn't need the keyword action at all.[1]

List of predefined tokens

See the game rules below for exact characteristics.

Predefined artifact tokens and subtypes:

Predefined enchantment tokens and subtypes:

Predefined creature tokens:

Rules

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

  • 111.10. Some effects instruct a player to create a predefined token. These effects use the definition below to determine the characteristics the token is created with. The effect that creates a predefined token may also modify or add to the predefined characteristics.
    • 111.10a A Treasure token is a colorless Treasure artifact token with “{T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.”
    • 111.10b A Food token is a colorless Food artifact token with “{2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.”
    • 111.10c A Gold token is a colorless Gold artifact token with “Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.”
    • 111.10d A Walker token is a 2/2 black Zombie creature token named Walker.
    • 111.10e A Shard token is a colorless Shard enchantment token with “{2}, Sacrifice this enchantment: Scry 1, then draw a card.”
    • 111.10f A Clue token is a colorless Clue artifact token with “{2}, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.”
    • 111.10g A Blood token is a colorless Blood artifact token with “{1}, {T}, Discard a card, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.”
    • 111.10h A Powerstone token is a colorless Powerstone artifact token with “{T}: Add {C}. This mana can’t be spent to cast a nonartifact spell.”
    • 111.10i An Incubator token is a transforming double-faced token. Its front face is a colorless Incubator artifact with “{2}: Transform this artifact.” Its back face is a 0/0 colorless Phyrexian artifact creature named Phyrexian Token.
    • 111.10j A Cursed Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Cursed with enchant creature and “Enchanted creature has base power and toughness 1/1.”
    • 111.10k A Monster Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Monster with enchant creature and “Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has trample.”
    • 111.10m A Royal Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Royal with enchant creature and “Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has ward {1}.”
    • 111.10n A Sorcerer Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Sorcerer with enchant creature and “Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has ‘Whenever this creature attacks, scry 1.’”
    • 111.10p A Virtuous Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Virtuous with enchant creature and “Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 for each enchantment you control.”
    • 111.10q A Wicked Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Wicked with enchant creature, “Enchanted creature gets +1/+1,” and “When this Aura is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, each opponent loses 1 life.”
    • 111.10r A Young Hero Role token is a colorless Aura Role enchantment token named Young Hero with enchant creature and “Enchanted creature has ‘Whenever this creature attacks, if its toughness is 3 or less, put a +1/+1 counter on it.’”
    • 111.10s A Map token is a colorless Map artifact token with “{1}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery.” See rule 701.40, “Explore.”
    • 111.10t A Junk token is a colorless Junk artifact token with “{T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn. Activate only as a sorcery.”

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (September 27, 2021). "How come "create a clue token" is keyworded". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Matt Tabak (Mar 29, 2023). "March of the Machine Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Blake Rasmussen, Chris Mooney, Pete Hines (October 19, 2023). "Magic: The Gathering x Fallout™ - First Look (Video)". YouTube.
  4. Matt Tabak (August 15, 2023). "Wilds of Eldraine Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023.