Nostalgia is in the Air with Something New.

Between the rise of “Old School Magic”, Jace, the Mindsculpter and Bloodbraid Elf’s return to modern, and the 25th anniversary of Magic the Gathering, one thing is certain—nostalgia is in the air.

So, what better time to induced a new article series, Rogue Rules.

In this article series, you will discover interesting rules interactions that can be used from your kitchen table tops all the way to the Top 8 tables at a Pro Tour event.

Today’s article specially answers the question…

What Happens when Old Cards Meet New Keywords?

Let’s explore a consequence of changes to the game of Magic with a card printed for the first time with its current oracle text, Goblin War Drums from Masters 25; another that will not be printed, Humility from Tempest; and one that really could have been printed; Muraganda Petroglyphs from Futuresight.

Before the creation of Menace, Goblin War Drums and Humility had one simple interaction. The controller of Goblin War Drums creatures couldn’t be blocked except by two or more creatures. The original reading changed the rules of the game for blocking rather than give the creatures an ability. Consequently, a vanilla creature controlled by a player with Goblin War Drums and Muraganda Petroglyphs used to have the evasion advantage and +2/+2 as well.

However, the errata caused the game to move to the…beat of a different drum. Consider, the Petroglyphs. Now, even your black 0/0 Germ token creature has an ability–Menace. And that means it remains a 0/0 rather than being a 2/2 Germ.

Ogres, Onions, and Rules Lawyers Understand This…

The reason is found in what Magic rules refer to as layers. Layers are the method the rules use to determine what really happens when two or more ongoing changes to the game (continuous effects) are all trying to do their things at once—often contradictory things. Layers mostly apply in order. Power and Toughness impacting effects are in the last layer. Messing with abilities happens earlier. As such, it has an ability (Menace) before the glyphs can apply. Since the creature has an ability, the enchantment won’t add to power and toughness.

So what about Humility? Simply put, it depends!

Unlike the previous example where the enchantments were attempting to do something in different layers, Humility and Goblin War Drums are attempting to do something in the same layer.

Think of this like two magic players trying to go to their match tables down the same row at a tournament with very, very tight spacing and several players already seated. Further, there is no physical way they can pass each other at the same time. Much like who will yield and who will pass, the rules have a few tools to resolve these conflicts. Thankfully, this situation uses the easiest one to explain. To decide, we simply have to remember which was played most recently. Or in the analogy, the person to arrive first sees the next player coming and says, “After you…”

Your Creatures’ Ability Depends on Which Card Was Played Most Recently.

If the drum solo was taking hold of your creatures who were then humbled, they have no evasion. However, if a creature already lost all it’s abilities to Humility, then Goblin War Drums are played your 1/1’s all have Menace.

It’s not always how two effects collide on the same row (See Blood Moon and Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth where regardless of the order, Urborg will be a legendary land – mountain that taps for red mana and no other lands will be swamps in addition).

Perhaps a future feature on Rogue Rules can cover such things. For now, leave your questions and comments below.

What Magic Rules Questions Do You Have, or

Which Rules Do You Want to Know More About?

Especially let me know which rules issues cause fights when you’re playing with friends and what perplexes you when you watch or play at competitive events. It’s my honor to be part of the Rogue Crew and I hope to be the source that provides you the competitive advantage you’re allowed and encouraged to have due to a superior rules knowledge.