Magic: The Gathering: Continuous Effects

Series Summary

Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a collectible card game invented by mathematician Richard Garfield and introduced to the role-playing game (RPG) market in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Since then, the MTG fan base has grown, boasting an astounding six million plus players worldwide. A typical game of Magic: The Gathering is carried out by two or more players, each supplied with their own deck of cards (or library) with which to do battle. Play progresses as magic spells and enchantments are cast, artifacts forged and employed and a sizable phantasmagoria of monsters, animals, spirits and men are summoned. The game takes cues from classic role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, but bears closer resemblance to bridge or poker in play. In this free video series on Magic: The Gathering a certified judge explains advanced continuous effects rules. Learn about copy effects, control effects, text and type-changing effects and other effects. He talks about power and toughness effects and how to switch them, independent effects and time stamp order. Finally, watch two examples of these rules as they are implemented for a game of Magic: The Gathering.

Video Transcript

"My name is Tameron Josbeck. And this series will be about the interaction of continuous effects. Continuous effects are a category of abilities in the game. Usually phrased as a permanent change as long as the effect is generated. The interaction of continuous effects is applied in a number of layers. And these things are all true as long as the effects that are generating them remain. The layers are as follows; copy effects, control effects, text changing effects, type changing effects, other non power and toughness effects. That's sort of a catch all. Power and toughness effects are each divided into five categories which are also applied in layers. The first power and toughness layer is character defining abilities. Other power and toughness effects that aren't applied anywhere else. Counters for power and toughness. Abilities that modify but don't set power and toughness as a static ability. And effects that switch the power and toughness."