Rule evolution

Rule 118.12a

Previously numbered 116.12a, 117.12a.

Earliest archived Rules release: 2009-10-01 · 1 wording revision · 2 renumberings

  1. Earliest archived Rules release116.12aDetails
    Some spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities read, "[Do something] unless you [do something else]." This means the same thing as "You may [do something else]. If you don't, [do something]."
  2. Renumbered116.12a → 117.12aDetails

    Previously
    1. Game Concepts
    116. Costs

    Then
    1. Game Concepts
    117. Costs

    Some spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities read, "[Do something] unless you [do something else]." This means the same thing as "You may [do something else]. If you don't, [do something]."
  3. Wording changed117.12aDetails
    Some spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities read, "[Do something] unless you [doa player does something else]." This means the same thing as "You[A player may [do something else]. If you[that donplayer doesn't], [do something]."
  4. Renumbered117.12a → 118.12aDetails

    Previously
    1. Game Concepts
    117. Costs

    Then
    1. Game Concepts
    118. Costs

    Some spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities read, “[Do something] unless [a player does something else].” This means the same thing as “[A player may do something else]. If [that player doesn’t], [do something].”

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