Magic the Gathering has many different mechanics, which have been brought out in a variety of card sets. It is important to understand what each ability does, and the type of ability. Using this information is critical to building Magic decks that work well. One would not want to use cards with abilities that clash; plus many abilities go well with others to provide nice combo effects.
Absorb
Absorb is a static ability that was first released in Future Sight. Absorb X means that X damage dealt to a creature is automatically prevented. X is absorbed from each source of damage, but X can only be prevented from any one source at any one time. An example of a creature with this ability is the Lymph Sliver.
Affinity
Affinity is a static ability which first made its appearance in Mirridon. This ability is most commonly found on artifacts, but there are some creatures who have affinities as well (usually for artifacts). Affinity means that the spell costs one less for every X you control. It can only reduce generic mana, and multiple affinities apply separately. A good example of a creature with affinity is the Tangle Golem. Tangle Golem costs one less generic mana for every Forest you control.
Banding
Banding is a mechanic that is no longer used, but it is worth mentioning. 5th Edition was the last core set to produce cards with Banding, and Weatherlight was the last expert set. Cards with Banding can no longer be used in most tournaments, but some players still use cards with this ability for casual play.
Banding allows multiple creatures to attack or block as one creature. This allows the player to assign damage as they like between the banded creatures. It must be noted that the band is only as good as the total. If only one creature in the band has shadow, it loses this ability while it is banded.
Bloodthirst
Bloodthirst is a static ability that is useful during the second main phase of play. On the current turn, if a player deals damage to an opponent, Bloodthirst X adds X +1/+1 counters when the card with Bloodthirst is played. It does not matter how much damage was caused, or the source of that damage. All that matters is that an opponent received damage. Examples of creatures with Bloodthirst are Bogardan Lancer and Petrified Wood-kin.
Buyback
Buyback is a sorcery and instant ability. It allows the card to return to the caster’s hand instead of the graveyard for an additional cost that is paid when the card is played. The cost could be additional mana or another condition such as discarding from your hand. An example of a card with Buyback is Demonic Collusion.
Convoke
Convoke is an ability which allows a player to lower the casting cost of a card by tapping creatures. The creature tapped can reduce the cost by one colored mana or by one generic mana. Examples of cards with Convoke are Hour of Reckoning and Angel of Salvation.
Cumulative Upkeep
Cumulative Upkeep is a mechanic that requires the player to meet certain conditions every turn’s upkeep. Normally this is adding an age counter to the card and then having to pay a mana cost of X for X amount of age counters on the card. An example of a card with Cumulative Upkeep is Mind Harness from Mirage.
Cycling
Cycling is an ability that a player can use for cards in his or her hand. If a card has cycling, the player may discard the card and pay X amount to draw another card. Some cards have an effect that is triggered by Cycling. For example, the card Complicate counters a spell when it is Cycled. This effect is in addition to being able to draw a card.
Deathtouch
Deathtouch is an ability that allows the creature to destroy any creature that it blocks or is blocked by. An example of a creature with Deathtouch is Acidic Slime from Magic 2010.
Echo
Echo is a mechanic that was first introduced in the Urza block. A creature with Echo must be sacrificed on the next upkeep unless the Echo cost is paid. In the Urza block, the Echo cost was the original mana cost of the card, but in future editions some cards have separate Echo costs. For example, Deepcavern Imp from Future Sight has an Echo cost of "discard a card".
Entwine
Entwine is an awesome ability which allows a player to pay a cost to play both effects on an either/or spell.
 |
 |
