Taxing
Taxing is a slang term used to describe spells that stop an opponent from doing something unless they pay a price (usually extra mana).[1] Taxing cards are most often creatures and enchantments, but occasionally are done as one-shot spells.
Description
Taxing is a white mechanic. Most of blue's taxing has gone to white (it used to be primary in blue), but blue still gets taxing counterspells (such as Mana Leak).[2][3] Taxing cards are most often creatures and enchantments, but occasionally are done as one-shot spells or colored artifacts.[4][5]
A small number uses on-board counters as taxing, given that a player can't tax a spell already paid for. Another form makes the tax penalty in the form of drawn cards. A new effect is to tax a specific card in an opponent's hand, as Elite Spellbinder or Anointed Peacekeeper.
Examples are Kataki, War's Wage, Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Archangel of Tithes, Frontline Medic, Esper Sentinel
Test card
Tax was consolidated in rules text on the 2024 Mystery Booster 2 test card Tax Taker ([...] each time a spell you control or an ability of a permanent you control causes an opponent to pay extra mana.)
See also
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 23, 2017). "I don't think I know the difference between Taxing and Rules Setting.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 13, 2016). "Is Propaganda like effects still in Blue's part of the pie or is it only White now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 13, 2016). "Is Blue the only color that can Counter Spells?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2021). "Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18.