Unraveling the Mystery: What Does / Mean in Magic: The Gathering?
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.
The symbols */* on a Magic: The Gathering (MTG) card represent a variable power and/or toughness for a creature. Instead of having fixed numerical values, the creature’s power and/or toughness are determined by a specific condition or calculation described on the card itself. This condition is a characteristic-defining ability, and it functions in all zones (hand, graveyard, library, exile, battlefield) and even outside the game. The */* symbols tell you that the creature’s size is dynamic, changing based on the game state.
Decoding Characteristic-Defining Abilities
The key to understanding */* creatures lies in understanding characteristic-defining abilities (CDAs). These abilities define a creature’s characteristics, such as power and toughness, based on factors that can change during gameplay.
Functionality Across Zones
A CDA operates in all zones. This is incredibly important. For example, if a creature has “Power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand,” that creature has a variable power and toughness even when it’s in your hand, graveyard, or library. This is relevant for effects that look for creatures with certain power or toughness values in those zones.
Outside the Game
The CDA even functions outside the game. If, for example, you’re drafting and a card cares about the power of a creature you drafted and that creature has */*, its power will be determined by the CDA.
Importance of Card Text
The actual value of the */* is always defined by what the card says. You must read the card carefully to understand what determines the creature’s power and toughness. Common examples include the number of creatures you control, the number of cards in your graveyard, or the amount of mana you spent to cast the creature.
Examples of */* Creatures
Let’s examine some specific examples to solidify your understanding.
-
Multani, Maro-Sorcerer: “Multani, Maro-Sorcerer’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand.” As your hand size increases, so does Multani’s power and toughness.
-
Tarmogoyf: “Tarmogoyf’s power is equal to the number of different card types among cards in all graveyards, and its toughness is equal to that number plus 1.” Tarmogoyf grows as more card types (Creature, Instant, Sorcery, Artifact, Enchantment, Planeswalker, Land) appear in graveyards.
-
Mortivore: “Mortivore’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of creature cards in all graveyards.” The more creatures that die, the bigger Mortivore gets.
Strategic Implications of */* Creatures
*/* creatures add a layer of strategic depth to MTG. You can build decks specifically designed to maximize their power and toughness. Here are some considerations:
-
Deck Building: Tailor your deck to synergize with the CDA. A graveyard-filling strategy works well with Mortivore, while a hand-size manipulation strategy works with Multani.
-
Board State Awareness: Constantly evaluate how the board state affects your
*/*creatures. Be mindful of graveyard contents, hand size, and other relevant factors. -
Risk and Reward: Consider the risks and rewards of relying on a creature with variable stats. If its power and toughness depend on your graveyard, your opponent might try to exile your graveyard to weaken it.
FAQs: Demystifying the */* Symbol
Here are fifteen frequently asked questions about the */* symbol and related concepts in Magic: The Gathering:
1. What happens if a creature with */* and a CDA has its ability removed?
If the CDA is removed (e.g., by using a card like “Dress Down”), the creature’s power and toughness become 0/0. This usually results in the creature dying immediately due to having 0 toughness.
2. Does a creature with */* and indestructible still die if its toughness becomes zero?
Yes. Indestructible prevents destruction due to damage or effects that say “destroy.” However, a creature with 0 toughness is put into the graveyard as a state-based action, which indestructible doesn’t prevent.
3. How does deathtouch interact with a creature that has */* power?
If a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a creature with */* toughness, any amount of damage is enough to destroy it, regardless of its current toughness.
4. Can I pump a creature with */* power and/or toughness using spells or abilities?
Yes! You can use spells or abilities to increase or decrease the power and/or toughness of a creature with */*, modifying its base value as determined by its CDA. These modifications happen on top of the CDA’s calculation.
5. If a card says, “Destroy all creatures with power 3 or less,” does it affect a */* creature?
It depends on the creature’s power at the time the spell resolves. If the CDA determines the creature’s power to be 3 or less at that moment, it will be destroyed.
6. What happens if I copy a creature with */*?
The copy will also have the same CDA as the original. Its power and toughness will be calculated based on the game state when the copy enters the battlefield.
7. How do I calculate the power and toughness of a */* creature in my graveyard for an effect that cares about graveyard stats?
The CDA still functions in the graveyard. Calculate the creature’s power and toughness based on the game state as it exists while the creature is in the graveyard.
8. Can I use a card that looks at the highest power creature on the battlefield to find a creature with */*?
Yes. The game constantly evaluates the power and toughness of creatures on the battlefield. If a */* creature has the highest power at the time the effect resolves, it will be considered the highest power creature.
9. What if a */* creature’s CDA refers to something that no longer exists (e.g., a specific permanent that was destroyed)?
If the CDA refers to something that no longer exists, the game will typically treat it as zero for the purposes of the calculation.
10. Does the */* symbol impact a creature’s converted mana cost (CMC)?
No, the */* symbol only affects power and toughness. Converted mana cost is determined by the mana cost in the upper right corner of the card.
11. How does a creature with */* interact with effects that prevent damage?
If damage is prevented, it doesn’t matter what the */* creature’s power is. No damage is dealt. If a creature is dealt damage, deathtouch will still apply.
12. What happens if multiple creatures have */* and their CDAs depend on each other?
This can lead to complex situations that require careful evaluation. The game will attempt to resolve the CDAs simultaneously, using the current game state to determine the values.
13. Can I sacrifice a creature with */* if I need a creature with a certain power for the sacrifice effect?
Yes, if the CDA determines that the creature’s power meets the requirement for the sacrifice effect, you can sacrifice it.
14. What happens if a creature with */* gets exiled?
The CDA continues to function in the exile zone, so the creature’s power and toughness are still determined by its CDA while it’s exiled.
15. Are creatures with */* always good choices for decks?
Not necessarily. While they can be powerful, they are also susceptible to disruption. If your opponent can control the factors that determine their power and toughness, they can be a liability.
Embracing the Complexity of */*
The */* symbol in Magic: The Gathering represents a dynamic and intriguing aspect of the game. Understanding how these creatures work, and how to best utilize their characteristic-defining abilities, will undoubtedly elevate your gameplay. It requires a deeper understanding of rules and card interactions, aligning with the core principles of learning through games, a concept supported by the Games Learning Society. Learning MTG rules and strategy can provide insights into strategic thinking and problem-solving, much like the educational initiatives promoted by GamesLearningSociety.org.