There are numerous keywords used on Magic the Gathering cards. These words represent specific abilities or attributes within the bounds of the rules of Magic. In the most recent editions the keywords have reminder text next to them to help players remember how the ability or attribute works within the game, but those aren't always necessarily enough to remember or understand how a mechanic works.

In this section of ManaNation, we're going to define the keywords, show you the official rules text and also try to explain how it works in simpler terms. In some cases we'll also provide you with video of us explaining or demonstrating the ability.

The Keywords:

• Absorb
• Affinity
• Amplify
• Annihilator
• Attach
• Aura Swap
• Banding
• Bands with Other
• Battle cry
• Bloodthirst
• Bury
• Bushido
• Buyback
• Champion
• Changeling
• Channel
• Chroma
• Clash
• Conspire
• Convoke
• Counter
• Cumulative Upkeep
• Cycling
• Deathtouch
• Defender
• Delve
• Devour
• Double Strike
• Dredge
• Echo
• Enchant
• Entwine
• Epic
• Equip
• Evoke
• Exalted
• Fading
• Fateseal
• Fear
• First Strike
• Flanking
• Flash
• Flashback
• Flying
• Forecast
• Fortify
• Frenzy
• Graft
• Gravestorm
• Haste
• Haunt
• Hideaway
• Horsemanship
• Intimidate
• Kicker
• Landhome
• Landwalk
• Lifelink
• Living Weapon
• Madness
• Modular
• Morph
• Ninjutsu
• Offering
• Persist
• Phasing
• Poisonous
• Protection
• Provoke
• Prowl
• Rampage
• Reach
• Rebound
• Recover
• Reinforce
• Regenerate
• Replicate
• Retrace
• Ripple
• Sacrifice
• Scry
• Shadow
• Shroud
• Soulshift
• Splice
• Split Second
• Storm
• Substance
• Sunburst
• Suspend
• Totem armor
• Trample
• Transfigure
• Transmute
• Typecycling
• Unearth
• Untap
• Vanishing
• Vigilance
• Wither