Unleash
| Unleash | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type |
Static (1st ability) Static (2nd ability) |
| Introduced | Return to Ravnica |
| Last used | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander |
| Reminder Text | Unleash (You may have this creature enter with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.) |
| Storm Scale | 5[1] |
| Statistics |
13 cards  30.8%  30.8%  38.5% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Unleash" | |
Unleash is a keyword ability that was introduced in Return to Ravnica as the mechanic for the Rakdos guild.[2][3]
Description
The reminder text for Unleash reads "You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.". The second clause is independent of the first, and due to reading like a downside, made Unleash unpopular and put it higher on the Storm Scale. This lesson may have factored into Riot and other "counter or other upside" mechanics like Fabricate, Explore, and Connive, making Unleash itself returning less likely.
After being last seen in Dragon's Maze, Unleash was reused on the Murders at Karlov Manor Commander card Tesak, Judith's Hellhound.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (April 4, 2025—Tarkir: Dragonstorm)
- Unleash
- A keyword ability that allows a creature to enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it and stops it from blocking if it has a +1/+1 counter on it. See rule 702.98, “Unleash.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (April 4, 2025—Tarkir: Dragonstorm)
- 702.98. Unleash
- 702.98a Unleash is a keyword that represents two static abilities. “Unleash” means “You may have this permanent enter with an additional +1/+1 counter on it” and “This permanent can’t block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.”
Examples
Example
Grim Roustabout 
Creature — Skeleton Warrior
1/1
Unleash (You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.): Regenerate Grim Roustabout
Rulings
- You make the choice to have the creature with unleash enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter or not as it's entering the battlefield. At that point, it's too late for a player to respond to the creature spell by trying to counter it, for example.
- The unleash ability applies no matter where the creature is entering the battlefield from.
- A creature with unleash can't block if it has any +1/+1 counter on it, not just one put on it by the unleash ability.
- Putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature with unleash that's already blocking won't remove it from combat. It will continue to block.
Trivia
- One variant of the acorn Garbage Elemental has unleash.
- Tesak, Judith's Hellhound grants Unleash to other dogs.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2024-03-05). "How likely is for Unleash to return in a standard set?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 2, 2012). "Return to Ravnica Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Billy Moreno (December 14, 2012). "Developing, UNLEASHED". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25.
