Index	Table of Contents	Terms
	Terms - A

Ability
An instruction in a card's or permanent's text. This doesn't include reminder text, flavor text, characteristic-setting text, or spell text.
   Abilities only work while the permanent they're on is in play unless a card's text states otherwise. There are three types of abilities: activated abilities, static abilities, and triggered abilities.
   Once an ability is played, it will resolve unless it's countered. It doesn't matter what happens to the permanent the ability came from once the ability goes on the stack.
   "Ability" and "effect" are often confused with one another. The instruction text is the ability. The result of following a card's instructions is an effect.
   See also Activated ability, Static ability, Triggered ability. Compare Effect.

Abusive language
Any words or phrases restricted by the Magic Online abusive language policy. Any user who violates this policy will be penalized appropriately.

Activated ability
An ability you play by paying its activation cost. An activated ability is written as "activation cost: effect." For example, ", : Destroy target green creature" means if you pay  and tap the permanent with the ability, you can destroy a green creature.
   You can play an activated ability any time you could play an instant (whenever you have priority). It goes on the stack and waits to resolve. You can only play the activated abilities of permanents you control.
   See also Activation cost.

Activation cost
In an activated ability, everything before the colon in "activation cost: effect." If an activation cost includes , you can pay it only if the permanent with the ability is untapped. If the activation cost doesn't include , you can pay it as many times as you want, creating the effect each time.
   See also Activated ability.

Active player
The player whose turn it is. The active player gets priority at the start of each phase or step (except for the untap and cleanup steps), after any spell or ability (except a mana ability) resolves, and after combat damage resolves.
   See also Priority.

Additional cost
Any cost in addition to a card's mana cost required to play a spell. Any additional costs are paid at the same time you pay the mana cost.

Adjourn
When players agree to finish a casual game at a later time. All players in an adjourned game must be logged in to resume.
   For more information on adjourning a game, see Adjourn.

All
When a spell or ability says it affects "all" of something, it really means "all." For example, Tranquility reads, "Destroy all enchantments." When you play Tranquility, it wipes all enchantments out. That means yours, too.

Artifact
A colorless permanent that represents a magical object. You can pay for an artifact with any type of mana.
   You can play an artifact spell only during one of your main phases when the stack is empty.
   See also Artifact creature.

Artifact creature
A colorless permanent that represents an artificial creature. An artifact creature is both an artifact and a creature. Artifact creatures are affected by everything that affects artifacts and everything that affects creatures.
   Every artifact creature has power and toughness and can attack and block just like a normal creature. Some artifact creatures have a creature type.
   See also Artifact, Creature.

As though
When you see "as though" on a card, it means the player or card may do something as if the stated condition were true. For example, Giant Spider reads, "Giant Spider may block as though it had flying." The Spider doesn't have flying, but it can block creatures that do.

At random
When you see "at random" on a card, it means neither player gets to choose which card is affected. For example, a spell might tell you to discard a card at random from your hand.
   The Magic Online game automatically makes "at random" choices for you.

Attack
How your creatures usually deal damage to your opponent. Creatures can only attack your opponent. They can't attack other creatures.
   You may attack your opponent each turn during your combat phase. Any untapped creature you've controlled since the beginning of your turn may attack. Once you've decided which creatures will attack, those creatures become tapped. Your opponent then gets a chance to block them or play instants and activated abilities.
   See also Attacking creature, Blocking creature, Combat phase.

Attacking creature
Creatures declared as attackers during the declare attackers step.
   A creature is attacking from the time it's declared as an attacker until the end of combat unless it's removed from combat by an effect (such as regeneration). Attacking creatures don't exist outside of the combat phase.
   The word "Attacking" appears in yellow text on each attacking creature in the Magic Online game.
   See also Declare attackers step.

Avatar
A character that represents a player in rooms and during games. Avatars for players with high Magic Online composite ratings get special graphics.
   You can change your avatar whenever you want.
   See Account Preferences for information on choosing an avatar.