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Learn how to use ward in both casual and competitive play
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Originally released in the Strixhaven set, ward is one of the newest evergreen keywords in Magic: The Gathering. On a basic level, ward makes it more difficult for your opponent to remove a creature with that keyword by increasing the cost required to target it. In this article, we’ll break down the rules surrounding ward, highlight some unique interactions, and cover the most pivotal examples of the mechanic.
Things You Should Know
- Ward increases the cost to target a creature by requiring the opponent to pay more mana or perform some other action.
- If an opponent doesn’t pay for ward, the card targeting the ward creature is automatically countered.
- Ward is a triggered ability, which means it uses the stack and can be responded to by opponents.
Steps
Section 2 of 5:
How does ward work?
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An opponent targets a creature with ward. Let’s say you’ve got a Dreadlight Monstrosity on the board and your opponent wants to get rid of it. They pay two black mana and one colorless mana to cast Hero’s Downfall . [2] X Research source
- The opponent must announce what they’re targeting when they cast Hero’s Downfall.
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The ward trigger goes on the stack. As soon as the opponent’s Hero’s Downfall goes on the stack, the ward trigger goes on the stack, on top of the Hero’s Downfall. Remember, the stack is “first in, last out” so the ward trigger must resolve first.
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The opponent can pay the ward cost to make the spell go through. If the opponent wants their Hero’s Downfall to resolve, they must pay the ward cost. What that cost is differs from card to card. Dreadlight Monstrosity has ward 2, so the opponent must pay two additional colorless mana. If they do, the ward trigger is resolved and the Hero’s Downfall resolves. [3] X Research source
- If you did happen to have a card like Negate in hand, you could counter the Hero’s Downfall after they pay the mana to really get them!
- If you just see colorless mana next to the word “ward” on a card, it means that’s the amount of mana the opponent must pay.
- Some cards have more specific ward requirements. For example, Dwarven Forge-Chanter has “ward—pay 2 life.” To target Forge, Neverwinter Charlatan , you must sacrifice a creature.
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If the ward cost isn’t paid, the spell is countered and nothing happens. If your opponent can’t pay the 2 mana required to fulfill the ward cost, the Hero’s Downfall is automatically countered and it goes to the graveyard. [4] X Research source
- This wouldn’t normally happen unless your opponent totally forgot about the ward ability, or miscounted their lands. That doesn’t mean the ward ability didn’t accomplish a ton, though. Your opponent basically had to pay two extra mana for their removal spell. [5] X Research source
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References
- ↑ https://www.thegamer.com/magic-the-gathering-mtg-shroud-hexproof-protection-ward-explained/
- ↑ https://media.wizards.com/2021/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020211115.pdf
- ↑ https://media.wizards.com/2021/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020211115.pdf
- ↑ https://media.wizards.com/2021/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020211115.pdf
- ↑ https://media.wizards.com/2021/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020211115.pdf
- ↑ https://cardgamebase.com/mtg-ward/
- ↑ https://mykindofmeeple.com/ward-mtg-rules-ability-keyword-best-cards-decks/
- ↑ https://mykindofmeeple.com/ward-mtg-rules-ability-keyword-best-cards-decks/
- ↑ https://mykindofmeeple.com/ward-mtg-rules-ability-keyword-best-cards-decks/
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