Magic: the Gathering – Know Your Evergreen Keywords

Evergreen keywords are a set of keywords that appear frequently in Magic: The Gathering and are used across many different sets and formats. These keywords are considered to be part of the core mechanics of the game and are typically used to describe basic abilities that most players should be familiar with.

Here are the current Evergreen keywords in Magic: The Gathering:

  1. Flying: Creatures with flying can only be blocked by other creatures with flying or reach.
  2. First strike: Creatures with first strike deal combat damage before creatures without a first strike.
  3. Deathtouch: Any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch is considered lethal damage.
  4. Haste: Creatures with haste can attack or use abilities that require tapping the turn they enter the battlefield.
  5. Hexproof: A creature or player with hexproof cannot be targeted by spells or abilities controlled by opponents.
  6. Lifelink: Any damage dealt by a creature with lifelink causes its controller to gain that much life.
  7. Menace: Creatures with menace can only be blocked by two or more creatures.
  8. Reach: Creatures with reach can block creatures with flying.
  9. Trample: Any excess damage dealt by a creature with trample is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker.
  10. Vigilance: Creatures with vigilance don’t need to tap to attack.

These keywords are considered Evergreen because they are used in nearly every Magic: The Gathering set, with only occasional exceptions. Another good addition to your Magic: the Gathering vocabulary and also helpful to be familiarized with.