Rules glossary
↑ Section 702. Keyword Abilities
702.174 Gift
- 702.174a Gift is a keyword that represents two abilities. It is written “Gift a [something].” The first ability is a static ability that functions while the card with gift is on the stack, and the second is either an ability that functions while the card with gift is on the stack or a triggered ability that functions while the card with gift is on the battlefield. The first ability is always “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may choose an opponent.” Paying a spell’s gift cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h. The second ability depends on the [something] listed as well as whether the object with the ability is a permanent or an instant or sorcery spell. (refs: 601.2b)
- 702.174b On a permanent, the second ability represented by gift is “When this permanent enters, if its gift cost was paid, [effect].” On an instant or sorcery spell, the second ability represented by gift is “If this spell’s gift cost was paid, [effect].” The specific effect is defined by the [something] listed.
- 702.174c Some effects trigger whenever a player gives a gift. Such an ability triggers whenever an instant or sorcery spell that player controls whose gift cost was paid resolves. It also triggers whenever the gift triggered ability of a permanent that player controls resolves.
- 702.174d “Gift a Food” means the effect is “The chosen player creates a Food token.”
- 702.174e “Gift a card” means the effect is “The chosen player draws a card.”
- 702.174f “Gift a tapped Fish” means the effect is “The chosen player creates a tapped 1/1 blue Fish creature token.”
- 702.174g “Gift an extra turn” means the effect is “The chosen player takes an extra turn after this one.”
- 702.174h “Gift a Treasure” means the effect is “The chosen player creates a Treasure token.”
- 702.174i “Gift an Octopus” means the effect is “The chosen player creates an 8/8 blue Octopus creature token.”
- 702.174j For instant and sorcery spells, the effect of a gift ability always happens before any other spell abilities of the card. If the spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack before resolving, the gift effect doesn’t happen.
- 702.174k If a spell’s controller declares the intention to pay a spell’s gift cost, that spell’s gift was promised.
- 702.174m If part of a spell’s ability has its effect only if its gift was promised, and that part of the ability includes any targets, the spell’s controller chooses those targets only if the gift was promised.