208. Parts of a Card : Power/Toughness
208.1.
A creature card has two numbers separated by a slash printed in its lower right corner. The first
number is its power (the amount of damage it deals in combat); the second is its toughness (the
amount of damage needed to destroy it). For example, 2/3 means the object has power 2 and
toughness 3. Power and toughness can be modified or set to particular values by effects.
208.2.
Rather than a fixed number, some creature cards have power and/or toughness that includes a
star (*).
208.2a
The card may have a characteristic-defining ability that sets its power and/or toughness
according to some stated condition. (See rule 604.3.) Such an ability is worded «[This
creature‘s] [power or toughness] is equal to . . .» or «[This creature‘s] power and toughness are
each equal to . . .» This ability functions everywhere, even outside the game. If the ability needs
to use a number that can‘t be determined, including inside a calculation, use 0 instead of that
number.
Example: Lost Order of Jarkeld has power and toughness each equal to 1+*. It has the
abilities “As Lost Order of Jarkeld enters the battlefield, choose an opponent” and
“Lost Order of Jarkeld?s power and toughness are each equal to 1 plus the number of
creatures the chosen player controls.” While Lost Order of Jarkeld isn?t on the
battlefield, there won?t be a chosen player. Its power and toughness will each be equal
to 1 plus 0, so it?s 1/1.
208.2b
The card may have a static ability that creates a replacement effect that sets the creature‘s
power and toughness to one of a number of specific choices as it enters the battlefield or is
turned face up. (See rule 614, «Replacement Effects.») Such an ability is worded «As [this
creature] enters the battlefield . . . ,» «As [this creature] is turned face up . . . ,» or «[This
creature] enters the battlefield as . . .» and lists two or more specific power and toughness values
(and may also list additional characteristics). The characteristics chosen with these effects affect
the creature‘s copiable values. (See rule 706.2.) While the card isn‘t on the battlefield, its power
and toughness are each considered to be 0.
208.3.
A noncreature permanent has no power or toughness, even if it‘s a card with a power and
toughness printed on it (such as a Licid that‘s become an Aura).