Rule evolution

Rule 700.7

Previously numbered 201.2a, 201.5.

Earliest archived Rules release: 2009-10-01 · 3 wording revisions · 2 renumberings

  1. Earliest archived Rules release201.2aDetails
    If an ability of an object uses a phrase such as "this [something]" to identify an object, where [something] is a characteristic, it is referring to that particular object, even if it isn't the appropriate characteristic at the time. Example: An ability reads "Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Destroy that creature at the beginning of the next end step." The ability will destroy the object it gave +2/+2 even if that object isn't a creature at the beginning of the next end step.
  2. Wording changed & Renumbered201.2a → 201.5Details

    Previously
    2. Parts of a Card
    201. Name

    Then
    2. Parts of a Card
    201. Name

    If an ability of an object uses a phrase such as "this [something]" to identify an object, where [something] is a characteristic, it is referring to that particular object, even if it isn't the appropriate characteristic at the time. Example: An ability reads "Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Destroy that creature at the beginning of the next end step." The ability will destroy the object it gave +2/+2 to even if that object isn't a creature at the beginning of the next end step.
  3. Renumbered201.5 → 700.7Details

    Previously
    2. Parts of a Card
    201. Name

    Then
    7. Additional Rules
    700. General

    If an ability of an object uses a phrase such as “this [something]” to identify an object, where [something] is a characteristic, it is referring to that particular object, even if it isn’t the appropriate characteristic at the time. Example: An ability reads “Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Destroy that creature at the beginning of the next end step.” The ability will destroy the object it gave +2/+2 to even if that object isn’t a creature at the beginning of the next end step.
  4. Wording changed700.7Details
    If an ability of an object uses a phrase such as "this [something]" to identify an object, where [something] is a characteristic, it is referring to that particular object, even if it isn't the appropriate characteristic at the time. Example: An ability reads "Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Destroy that creature at the beginning of the next end step." The ability will destroy the object it gave +2/+2 to even if that object isn't a creature at the beginning of the next end step.
  5. Wording changed700.7Details
    If an ability uses a phrase such as "this [something]" to identify an object, where [something] is a characteristic or other quality, it is referring to that particular object, even if it isn't the appropriate characteristicquality at the time. Example: An ability reads "Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Destroy that creature at the beginning of the next end step." The ability will destroy the object it gave +2/+2 to even if that object isn't a creature at the beginning of the next end step.

Current in the latest available Rules
Unchanged since 2026-08-07.