What is Vigilance in Magic: The Gathering?
Introduction
Magic: The Gathering is a popular trading card game where players take on the role of spellcasters, summoning creatures, casting spells, and dueling each other with magical forces. One of the most intriguing abilities in the game is vigilance, which grants creatures the ability to attack without tapping. In this article, we will explore the concept of vigilance, its rules, and its impact on gameplay.
What does Vigilance mean in Magic: The Gathering?
In Magic: The Gathering, vigilance is a keyword ability that allows creatures to attack without tapping. This means that creatures with vigilance can attack and then be blocked, just like regular creatures. However, they won’t tap down, leaving them free to attack again on subsequent turns.
How does Vigilance work?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how vigilance works:
- When a creature with vigilance attacks, it doesn’t tap.
- The creature still deals damage to the opponent.
- The creature can be blocked, just like regular creatures.
- The creature will still have the opportunity to attack again on subsequent turns.
Rules and interactions
Here are some key rules and interactions to keep in mind when playing with creatures that have vigilance:
- Tapping: Creatures with vigilance don’t tap when attacking, but they can still be tapped normally.
- First strike: If a creature with vigilance has first strike, it will deal combat damage in the first combat damage step, and then attack without tapping.
- Double strike: If a creature with vigilance has double strike, it will deal combat damage in the first and second combat damage steps, and then attack without tapping.
- Sacrifice: Creatures with vigilance can still be sacrificed for mana or effects.
- Indestructible: If a creature with vigilance has become indestructible, it will not die from state-based effects.
Card examples
Here are some examples of cards that feature vigilance:
- Phantom Centaur: This 2/2 green creature has vigilance, making it a formidable attacking force.
- Scavenging Ooze: This 2/2 green creature has vigilance and also has the ability to gain +1/+1 whenever a creature it controlled dies.
- Krenko, Mob Boss: This 4/4 red creature has vigilance and also has the ability to create multiple tokens that attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vigilance is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows creatures to attack without tapping. Understanding how vigilance works, its interactions with other abilities, and card examples featuring vigilance will help you make the most of this ability in your gameplay. Remember to take advantage of vigilant creatures’ ability to attack without tapping, and to plan ahead to make the most of their combat damage potential.
FAQs
Q: Can a creature with vigilance be tapped normally?
A: Yes, creatures with vigilance can still be tapped normally for mana or effects.
Q: Can a creature with vigilance be blocked?
A: Yes, creatures with vigilance can still be blocked by other creatures.
Q: Can a creature with vigilance become indestructible?
A: Yes, creatures with vigilance can become indestructible, making them immune to state-based effects.
Key Takeaways
- Vigilance allows creatures to attack without tapping.
- Vigilant creatures can still be tapped normally.
- Vigilant creatures can still be blocked.
- Vigilant creatures can become indestructible.
- Keep an eye out for creatures with vigilance and take advantage of their combat potential.