Keyword ability

Ward

Whenever a permanent with ward becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays the ward cost.

If a creature has ward {2}, an opponent may target it, but must pay {2} when the ward trigger resolves or lose that spell or ability.

First appeared in: Strixhaven

200 Magic: The Gathering cards with ward — showing the 196 most recent.

How ward works in MTG.

Example: If a creature has ward {2}, an opponent may target it, but must pay {2} when the ward trigger resolves or lose that spell or ability.

Rules and interactions

  • Ward is a triggered ability, not a targeting restriction. The spell is already on the stack when ward triggers.
  • Paying a ward cost does not make the permanent hexproof; it allows that one spell or ability to continue.
  • Multiple ward abilities trigger separately, and a spell that cannot be countered ignores the countering effect even if its controller does not pay.
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