Support
| Support | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Oath of the Gatewatch |
| Last used | Modern Horizons 3 |
| Reminder Text | Support N (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to N (other) target creatures.) |
| Storm Scale | 6[1] |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Support is a keyword action introduced in Oath of the Gatewatch that boosts your (or your teammates') creatures with +1/+1 counters.[2]
Description
"Support N" means "Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to N other target creatures." You may choose fewer targets at will.
If a creature (or any other permanent) has an ability that supports, the ability can't target the creature/permanent itself.
You cannot put multiple +1/+1 counters on one creature. If it has support 3, you have to put a +1/+1 counter on one creature, then another one, then another. It has to be a different creature for each +1/+1 counter.
History
Support was also used in Battlebond[3][4] and as a one-off in the Streets of New Capenna Commander decks, Modern Horizons 2 and Modern Horizons 3.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Support
- A keyword action that lets you put +1/+1 counters on creatures. See rule 701.41, “Support.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- 701.41. Support
- 701.41a “Support N” on a permanent means “Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to N other target creatures.” “Support N” on an instant or sorcery spell means “Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to N target creatures.”
Rulings
From the Release Notes for Oath of the Gatewatch (January 13, 2016)[5]
- You can't put more than one +1/+1 counter on any one target using the support action.
- Support can target a creature you don't control.
- If a spell with support has other abilities that target creatures, those abilities and the support ability can target the same creature.
Examples
Example 1
Shoulder to Shoulder 
Sorcery
Support 2. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two target creatures.)
Draw a card.
Example 2
Gladehart Cavalry 
Creature — Elf Knight
6/6
When this creature enters, support 6. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to six other target creatures.)
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it dies, you gain 2 life.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 21, 2016). "Storm Scale: Zendikar and Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (December 28, 2015). "Oath of the Gatewatch Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (May 18, 2018). "Find Your Partner with Battlebond". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2018-05-19.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (May 21, 2018). "Battlebond Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak, Laurie Cheers, Carsten Haese, Eli Shiffrin, Zoe Stephenson, and Thijs van Ommen (January 13, 2016). "Oath of the Gatewatch Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022.