Undying and Haste: A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering Mechanics
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No, creatures with Undying do not inherently have Haste. A creature returning to the battlefield due to its Undying ability will be subject to summoning sickness unless it also possesses Haste from another source. Let’s explore this and other related mechanics in more detail!
Undying Explained
Understanding the Ability
Undying is a triggered ability that brings a creature back from the graveyard. Specifically, when a creature with Undying goes to the graveyard from the battlefield, and it didn’t have any +1/+1 counters on it, it returns to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a +1/+1 counter. This makes it a potent ability for resilient creatures.
Summoning Sickness and Undying
Even though the creature is returning from the graveyard, it’s still entering the battlefield. Unless a creature has Haste, it can’t attack or use abilities with the tap symbol the turn it enters the battlefield, even if it’s an old friend being resurrected by Undying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between Undying, Haste, and other related mechanics in Magic: The Gathering:
1. Do creature tokens have Haste?
Creature tokens do not inherently have Haste. Some effects may grant them Haste, such as a spell or ability that creates tokens and gives them Haste until end of turn. Without such an effect, tokens are also subject to summoning sickness.
2. What are the exact rules for Undying in Magic: The Gathering?
The comprehensive rules define Undying in rule 702.93a: “Undying is a triggered ability. “Undying” means “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a +1/+1 counter on it.”
3. Does Undying only work once?
Yes, Undying essentially works only once. If a creature with Undying returns to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter, the next time it dies, the Undying ability won’t trigger because it already has a +1/+1 counter. Multiple instances of undying on a creature do technically all work, but are essentially meaningless after the first one.
4. Can you sacrifice an Undying creature?
Yes, you can sacrifice an Undying creature. The Undying ability triggers regardless of how the creature ended up in the graveyard, so sacrificing it is a perfectly valid way to activate the ability, assuming it doesn’t have a +1/+1 counter.
5. Do Undying creatures go to the graveyard?
Yes, Undying creatures do go to the graveyard when they die. The Undying ability then triggers from the graveyard, returning the creature to the battlefield.
6. Is Undying an ETB (Enters-the-Battlefield) trigger?
No, Undying itself is not an ETB (Enters-the-Battlefield) trigger. It is a triggered ability that triggers when the creature leaves the battlefield and enters the graveyard. However, the creature re-entering the battlefield can trigger other ETB abilities on the reanimated creature or other permanents.
7. Does Haste mean no summoning sickness?
Yes, having Haste allows a creature to ignore the effects of summoning sickness. Creatures with Haste can attack and use tap abilities the turn they enter the battlefield.
8. Does Haste remove summoning sickness?
Having Haste allows the creature to bypass or ignore summoning sickness, but it doesn’t prevent the creature from having it outright. If a creature were to lose its Haste on the turn it enters the battlefield from something like Dress Down, then it would still have summoning sickness and be affected by it that turn.
9. What happens if a creature has both Persist and Undying?
When a creature with both Persist and Undying dies without any counters, Persist triggers, returning it with a -1/-1 counter. Then, Undying triggers, returning it with a +1/+1 counter. The counters effectively cancel each other out due to state based actions, and the creature will not have either counter. If the creature dies again, it will enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter from the undying trigger.
10. Does Undying count as regeneration?
No, Undying is not the same as regeneration. Regeneration prevents a creature from being destroyed, while Undying allows a creature to return from the graveyard after it has already died. They are distinct mechanics.
11. Can you tap a creature without Haste?
If the ability requires you to tap the creature, it can only be done once it is not summoning sick, unless it has Haste. If the ability only costs mana, and has no tap symbol, you can do it regardless of the creature having summoning sickness.
12. Does Undying apply to tokens?
Tokens can gain Undying, and the ability will trigger if a token is put into a graveyard. However, like all tokens, it can’t return to the battlefield and will cease to exist as a state-based action before the ability would go on the stack.
13. Is Deathtouch a triggered ability?
No, Deathtouch is not a triggered ability. It’s a static ability that modifies the rules for damage. Any amount of damage dealt by a creature with Deathtouch to another creature is considered lethal.
14. Can indestructible beat Deathtouch?
No, Deathtouch still works against indestructible creatures. Deathtouch causes “lethal damage” to creatures, indestructible creatures cannot be killed by “lethal damage”.
15. Does Hexproof cancel Deathtouch?
No, Hexproof does not stop Deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch doesn’t target; it simply modifies the effects of damage.
The Importance of Understanding Game Mechanics
Mastering these intricacies is what separates a casual player from a strategic mastermind. The interactions between abilities like Undying, Haste, and others can significantly impact gameplay. Being aware of these interactions allows for more informed deck-building and tactical decision-making. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society are at the forefront of understanding how games can enhance learning and cognitive skills. Explore more about their research and insights at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Understanding the nuances of Undying and related mechanics, such as Haste, is crucial for any Magic: The Gathering player looking to improve their game. These rules are not just about memorization, but about understanding the underlying logic and how different abilities interact with each other. This knowledge will enable you to make better plays and build more effective decks, whether you’re at a casual Friday Night Magic event or a competitive tournament.