Rule evolution

Rule 602.1

Earliest archived Rules release: 2009-10-01 · 1 wording revision · 0 renumberings

  1. Earliest archived Rules release602.1Details
    Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation restriction (if any).]" The activation cost is everything before the colon (:). An ability's activation cost must be paid by the player who is activating it. Example: The activation cost of an ability that reads "{2}, {T}: You gain 1 life" is two mana of any type plus tapping the permanent that has the ability.
  2. Wording changed602.1Details
    Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation restrictioninstructions (if any).]" The activation cost is everything before the colon (:). An ability's activation cost must be paid by the player who is activating it. Example: The activation cost of an ability that reads "{2}, {T}: You gain 1 life" is two mana of any type plus tapping the permanent that has the ability.

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