Table of Contents

Unearthing the Past: What Does It Mean to Bury a Card in Magic: The Gathering?

Quick answer

This page answers What does it mean to bury a card in magic? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

In the ever-evolving world of Magic: The Gathering, the language used to describe actions and abilities has been refined over the years. One such term that has seen a significant change is “bury.” In short, to bury a card in Magic originally meant to destroy it and prevent it from being regenerated. However, this term is no longer used in the current rules. Older cards that once used the word “bury” have been updated with errata, replacing it with either “destroy and can’t be regenerated” or “sacrifice,” depending on the intended effect. This article will delve into the history and implications of the “bury” mechanic, exploring its evolution and related concepts.

The Evolution of “Bury” in Magic

From Ambiguity to Clarity

The term “bury” existed alongside “destroy” for some time. The key distinction was that a creature that was buried could not be regenerated. The original concept of “bury” was born out of a desire to create effects that were more potent than simple destruction spells, preventing opponents from circumventing the removal with regeneration effects.

However, the term was eventually phased out for several reasons. First, its meaning wasn’t entirely intuitive. The word “bury” didn’t immediately convey the idea of “destruction that cannot be regenerated”. Second, the Magic rules team strives for precision and consistency in its language. Having two terms that essentially achieved the same outcome, but with a slight variation, created unnecessary complexity.

Errata and Modern Wording

To address these issues, Wizards of the Coast issued errata for cards that used the “bury” terminology. This errata updated the cards to use more precise and understandable language. In most cases, the “bury” effect was replaced with “destroy target creature. It can’t be regenerated.” In other cases, where the effect was an optional one performed by the card’s controller, it was replaced with “sacrifice [a permanent].”

This change clarified the functionality of these cards and made them more consistent with the overall language of the game. It removed ambiguity and helped new players better understand the intended effects.

Key Concepts Related to “Bury”

Regeneration

Understanding “regeneration” is crucial to grasping the significance of “bury.” Regeneration is a replacement effect that allows a creature that would be destroyed to instead be removed from combat, have all damage removed from it, and be tapped. The “bury” effect was designed to circumvent this, ensuring that the target creature ended up in the graveyard permanently.

Sacrifice

“Sacrifice” is a keyword action where a player chooses a permanent they control and puts it into its owner’s graveyard. It’s an action that the controller of the permanent takes voluntarily, often as a cost to activate an ability or as part of a spell’s effect. Cards that were errataed from “bury” to “sacrifice” typically involved situations where the controller of the permanent was making a strategic choice.

Indestructible

The interaction between “bury” and “indestructible” is another important point. Indestructible is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed by damage or effects that say “destroy.” Because “bury” was functionally equivalent to “destroy and can’t be regenerated,” it also could not bypass the indestructible ability. Cards with indestructible can only be removed from the battlefield through other means, such as exile, sacrifice, or reducing their toughness to zero.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some FAQs to further clarify the concept of “bury” and its related mechanics:

Does “bury” mean exile? No, “bury” does not mean exile. Exile is a completely separate zone from the graveyard. When a card is exiled, it’s removed from the game, whereas a buried card goes to the graveyard (and cannot be regenerated).
Does “bury” work on indestructible creatures? No, “bury,” which is now worded as “destroy and can’t be regenerated,” does not affect indestructible creatures. Indestructible specifically prevents destruction.
What kills indestructible creatures in Magic? Indestructible creatures can be removed by: Exiling them, forcing their controller to sacrifice them, reducing their toughness to zero, or countering them before they enter the battlefield.
Can deathtouch beat indestructible? No, deathtouch does not affect indestructible creatures. Deathtouch causes damage to be lethal, but indestructible creatures are immune to destruction by damage.
Can you sacrifice a card from your hand? No, you can only sacrifice permanents on the battlefield. Sacrifice is an action that involves moving a permanent you control from the battlefield to your graveyard.
What is the difference between exile and graveyard in Magic? The graveyard is where cards go when they are destroyed or sacrificed, and can sometimes be interacted with. Exile is a zone that removes cards from the game almost entirely, making them much harder to interact with.
Does “bury” mean sacrifice? Not always. Some cards were changed to “sacrifice” when the effect was a choice made by the permanent’s controller. Others were changed to “destroy target creature. It can’t be regenerated.”
Why was the term “bury” used in the first place? The term “bury” was used to indicate a destruction effect that specifically prevented regeneration. It was meant to be a more definitive form of removal.
Can you regenerate a creature that has been exiled? No, a creature that has been exiled cannot be regenerated. Regeneration only applies when a creature is being destroyed and going to the graveyard.
What is errata in Magic: The Gathering? Errata is a correction or clarification to the printed text of a card. It is used to update cards to match the current rules and intent.
Does hexproof protect against deathtouch? Hexproof prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponent controls. Deathtouch doesn’t target, so hexproof doesn’t prevent a creature with deathtouch from destroying a creature with hexproof via combat damage.
How does toughness affect a creature’s survivability? Toughness is the amount of damage a creature can sustain before being destroyed. If a creature’s toughness is reduced to zero or less, it is put into its owner’s graveyard, even if it’s indestructible.
What does intimidate mean in MTG? Intimidate is a creature ability that means a creature can only be blocked by artifact creatures and/or creatures that share a color with it.
Why is exile considered a strong form of removal? Exile is a strong form of removal because it is much harder to interact with exiled cards compared to cards in the graveyard. Fewer spells and abilities can bring cards back from exile.
Where can I learn more about Magic: The Gathering rules and terminology? You can learn more about Magic: The Gathering by visiting the official Magic: The Gathering website. You can also learn by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org or the Games Learning Society website.

Conclusion

While the term “bury” is no longer part of Magic’s active vocabulary, understanding its historical significance and the reasons for its evolution is crucial for appreciating the game’s development. The shift from “bury” to more precise language reflects Magic’s commitment to clarity and consistency, making the game more accessible and enjoyable for players of all levels.