Rules

Comprehensive Rules

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9 Sections147 chapters

Spells, Abilities, and Effects17 chapters

600General 601Casting Spells 602Activating Activated Abilities 603Handling Triggered Abilities 604Handling Static Abilities 605Mana Abilities 606Loyalty Abilities 607Linked Abilities 608Resolving Spells and Abilities 609Effects 610One-Shot Effects 611Continuous Effects 612Text-Changing Effects 613Interaction of Continuous Effects 614Replacement Effects 615Prevention Effects 616Interaction of Replacement and/or Prevention Effects

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Spells, Abilities, and Effects

17 chapters

613. Interaction of Continuous Effects

11 chapters

613.1

The values of an object’s characteristics are determined by starting with the actual object. For a card, that means the values of the characteristics printed on that card. For a token or a copy of a spell or card, that means the values of the characteristics defined by the effect that created it. Then all applicable continuous effects are applied in a series of layers in the following order:

613.10

Some continuous effects affect players rather than objects

613.11

Some continuous effects affect game rules rather than objects

613.2

Within layer 1, apply effects in a series of sublayers in the order described below. Within each sublayer, apply effects in timestamp order (see rule 613.7). Note that dependency may alter the order in which effects are applied within a sublayer. (See rule 613.8.)

613.3

Within layers 2–6, apply effects from characteristic-defining abilities first (see rule 604.3), then all other effects in timestamp order (see rule 613.7). Note that dependency may alter the order in which effects are applied within a layer. (See rule 613.8.)

613.4

Within layer 7, apply effects in a series of sublayers in the order described below. Within each sublayer, apply effects in timestamp order. (See rule 613.7.) Note that dependency may alter the order in which effects are applied within a sublayer. (See rule 613.8.)

613.5

The application of continuous effects as described by the layer system is continually and automatically performed by the game. All resulting changes to an object’s characteristics are instantaneous.

613.6

If an effect should be applied in different layers and/or sublayers, the parts of the effect each apply in their appropriate ones. If an effect starts to apply in one layer and/or sublayer, it will continue to be applied to the same set of objects in each other applicable layer and/or sublayer, even if the ability generating the effect is removed during this process.

613.7

Within a layer or sublayer, determining which order effects are applied in is usually done using a timestamp system. An effect with an earlier timestamp is applied before an effect with a later timestamp.

613.8

Within a layer or sublayer, determining which order effects are applied in is sometimes done using a dependency system. If a dependency exists, it will override the timestamp system.

613.9

One continuous effect can override another