What IS Ward?!

Ward is an ability that makes your permanents a little harder to deal with - if an opponent wants to target them, they have to pay a little extra. We'll go through this new evergreen mechanic in this quick video!

We'll have more of the What is...? videos coming out - if there's a particular mechanic you want to see explained, let us know in the comments!

[lutherturk]

Another interaction that is easy to miss is a spell that "can't be countered" such as Abrupt Decay. It basically treats it as though the Ward ability doesn't exist. Also, you can get around the ability with cards like Disallow or Stifle, which can counter activated or triggered abilities.

[geneclark]

so if I got 3 things that give all things say, ward 2...they would have to pay 2 mana, three total times? Thats fun.

[JormRising]

I have a question, does ward effect deathtouch? Would a creature with ward be effected as per usual without the attacker paying or would the attacker need to pay the ward cost in order to apply deathtouch.

[TheSenselessName]

I would have a question about ward: If Bronze guardian is getting copied and 2 of them are on the battlefield do all other artifact creatures have now ward 4??? or still ward 2?
Do you add them or not?? (ward 2+2 is ward 4??) So if there are 4 bronze guardian on the battlefield, every other artifact creature has ward 8...and so

[GabrielTrinka]

Does ward apply if the creature is in the graveyard? Ex tyrranax rex <- reanimate?

[golgariplague]

I still have some doubts.
Let's say i have a creature with Ward (2) on the field and my opponent attacks me. I block the attack with my creature that has Ward (2) but my opponent does not have 2 mana to pay the ward cost.
By COUNTERing the enemy creature, does that mean the enemy creature dies (goes to the graveyard)? Or does the attack simply does not resolve and the opponent creature just stays on the field?

[DOLOTread]

Someone said ward can’t be countered as an ability. Is this true? Can I counter it as an triggered ability or is there ruling saying otherwise

[lonewolf]

Ok, so my opponent has to pay the ward cost in order to target my creatures, not me?

[LiaoZhai]

What if an opponent targets my creature without ward with a removal spell, and in response I somehow give ward to this creature? Does the ward trigger in this case?

[ragnarrocksoft]

Do you have to pay the ward cost to counter a permanent with ward being played with it or does ward only trigger once it's become a permanent?

[professor]

Still don't catch? how I can destroy card with ward ?

[richardpointer]

This mechanic is about as feel bad a mechanic as it comes. In Limited it just becomes a hard counter to late game stabilizing. Terrible mistake by WOTC for making it evergreen and common.