Keyword ability

A keyword ability is a word or words that substitutes for a piece of rules text. Many keywords are summarized in reminder text, especially in core sets.

Keyword abilities are somewhat different from keyword actions, and both are distinct from ability words. Collectively, they are decribed as mechanics.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (October 4, 2019—Throne of Eldraine)

Keyword Ability

A game term, such as “flying” or “haste,” used as shorthand for a longer ability or group of abilities. See rule 702, “Keyword Abilities.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (October 4, 2019—Throne of Eldraine)

• 702. Keyword Abilities
  • 702.1. Most abilities describe exactly what they do in the card’s rules text. Some, though, are very common or would require too much space to define on the card. In these cases, the object lists only the name of the ability as a “keyword”; sometimes reminder text summarizes the game rule.
  • 702.2. Deathtouch
  • 702.3. Defender
  • 702.4. Double Strike
  • 702.5. Enchant
  • 702.6. Equip
  • 702.7. First Strike
  • 702.8. Flash
  • 702.9. Flying
  • 702.10. Haste
  • 702.11. Hexproof
  • 702.12. Indestructible
  • 702.13. Intimidate
  • 702.14. Landwalk
  • 702.15. Lifelink
  • 702.16. Protection
  • 702.17. Reach
  • 702.18. Shroud
  • 702.19. Trample
  • 702.20. Vigilance
  • 702.21. Banding
  • 702.22. Rampage
  • 702.23. Cumulative Upkeep
  • 702.24. Flanking
  • 702.25. Phasing
  • 702.26. Buyback
  • 702.27. Shadow
  • 702.28. Cycling
  • 702.29. Echo
  • 702.30. Horsemanship
  • 702.31. Fading
  • 702.32. Kicker
  • 702.33. Flashback
  • 702.34. Madness
  • 702.35. Fear
  • 702.36. Morph
  • 702.37. Amplify
  • 702.38. Provoke
  • 702.39. Storm
  • 702.40. Affinity
  • 702.41. Entwine
  • 702.42. Modular
  • 702.43. Sunburst
  • 702.44. Bushido
  • 702.45. Soulshift
  • 702.46. Splice
  • 702.47. Offering
  • 702.48. Ninjutsu
  • 702.49. Epic
  • 702.50. Convoke
  • 702.51. Dredge
  • 702.52. Transmute
  • 702.53. Bloodthirst
  • 702.54. Haunt
  • 702.55. Replicate
  • 702.56. Forecast
  • 702.57. Graft
  • 702.58. Recover
  • 702.59. Ripple
  • 702.60. Split Second
  • 702.61. Suspend
  • 702.62. Vanishing
  • 702.63. Absorb
  • 702.64. Aura Swap
  • 702.65. Delve
  • 702.66. Fortify
  • 702.67. Frenzy
  • 702.68. Gravestorm
  • 702.69. Poisonous
  • 702.70. Transfigure
  • 702.71. Champion
  • 702.72. Changeling
  • 702.73. Evoke
  • 702.74. Hideaway
  • 702.75. Prowl
  • 702.76. Reinforce
  • 702.77. Conspire
  • 702.78. Persist
  • 702.79. Wither
  • 702.80. Retrace
  • 702.81. Devour
  • 702.82. Exalted
  • 702.83. Unearth
  • 702.84. Cascade
  • 702.85. Annihilator
  • 702.86. Level Up
  • 702.87. Rebound
  • 702.88. Totem Armor
  • 702.89. Infect
  • 702.90. Battle Cry
  • 702.91. Living Weapon
  • 702.92. Undying
  • 702.93. Miracle
  • 702.94. Soulbond
  • 702.95. Overload
  • 702.96. Scavenge
  • 702.97. Unleash
  • 702.98. Cipher
  • 702.99. Evolve
  • 702.100. Extort
  • 702.101. Fuse
  • 702.102. Bestow
  • 702.103. Tribute
  • 702.104. Dethrone
  • 702.105. Hidden Agenda
  • 702.106. Outlast
  • 702.107. Prowess
  • 702.108. Dash
  • 702.109. Exploit
  • 702.110. Menace
  • 702.111. Renown
  • 702.112. Awaken
  • 702.113. Devoid
  • 702.114. Ingest
  • 702.115. Myriad
  • 702.116. Surge
  • 702.117. Skulk
  • 702.118. Emerge
  • 702.119. Escalate
  • 702.120. Melee
  • 702.121. Crew
  • 702.122. Fabricate
  • 702.123. Partner
  • 702.124. Undaunted
  • 702.125. Improvise
  • 702.126. Aftermath
  • 702.127. Embalm
  • 702.128. Eternalize
  • 702.129. Afflict
  • 702.130. Ascend
  • 702.131. Assist
  • 702.132. Jump-Start
  • 702.133. Mentor
  • 702.134. Afterlife
  • 702.135. Riot
  • 702.136. Spectacle

See also

• Evasion ability
• Evergreen keywords

External links

• Mark Rosewater (June 18, 2007). "Keyword Play". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
• Mark Rosewater (May 19, 2003). "Keyword to the Wise". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
• Mark Rosewater (June 6, 2005). "One With One With Nothing". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. (about Keyword Creep)
• Doug Beyer (February 25, 2009). "Vorthos Award Results and Keyword Flavor". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.