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For the design concept, see Mechanic#Modular.

Modular
Keyword Ability
Type Static (1st ability)
Triggered (2nd ability)
Introduced Darksteel
Last used Modern Horizons
Reminder Text Modular N (This enters the battlefield with N +1/+1 counters on it. When it dies, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)
Statistics
12 cards
{artifact symbol} 100%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Modular"

Modular is a keyword ability that allows artifact creatures to enter the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters, and put those counters on another artifact creature when the creature dies.[1]

History

Modular appeared in Darksteel and Fifth Dawn. The only creatures to appear with Modular also had "Arcbound" in the title, until the release of Modern Horizons.[2][3]

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

Modular
A keyword ability that has a permanent enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it and can move those counters to other artifact creatures. See rule 702.43, “Modular.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

  • 702.43. Modular
    • 702.43a Modular represents both a static ability and a triggered ability. “Modular N” means “This permanent enters the battlefield with N +1/+1 counters on it” and “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you may put a +1/+1 counter on target artifact creature for each +1/+1 counter on this permanent.”
    • 702.43b If a creature has multiple instances of modular, each one works separately.

Rulings

  • If an Arcbound creature gets enough -1/-1 counters to make its toughness 0 or cause the damage on it to now be lethal, the Modular ability will still give another artifact creature a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the number the Arcbound creature had before it got -1/-1 counters.
  • For the enters-the-battlefield ability, the number of counters the permanent gets is equal to the number that follows "modular" on the card.
  • For the leaves-the-battlefield ability, the number of counters on the permanent at the time it left the battlefield is what's relevant; the number after "modular" doesn't matter.
  • When a creature with modular dies, you may put the counters onto a single target artifact creature. You can't split them among two or more artifact creatures.

Examples

Example

Arcbound Bruiser {5}
Artifact Creature — Golem
0/0
Modular 3 (This enters the battlefield with three +1/+1 counters on it. When it dies, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (January 12, 2004). "Arcbound To Happen". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Magic Arcana (January 27, 2004). "The flavor of modular". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Matt Tabak (May 31, 2019). "Modern Horizons Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

Template:Keywords and abilities

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