star/star creatures and Grenzo, Dungeon Warden
Asked by Named_Tawyny 9 years ago
Hello:
Yesterday I was playing EDH with a friend who's commander was Grenzo. Amongst the cards he was cheating out was Beast of Burden.
At the time, Grenzo's power was 2, and there were about 6 (or certainly more than 2) creatures on the field.
I was under the impression that with star/star (it won't let me do /, sorry) power creatures, that ability works in all zones, not just on the battlefield. He (and the other player) insisted it was a battlefield only ability.
I just checked Gatherer, and there's no ruling about it on Beast of Burden. There is one for Tarmogoyf though, which suggest that I'm correct, but I just wanted to double check on that - since it wasn't the 'goyf that he cheated out (obviously). If anybody knows the relevant rule, it'd be much appreciated.
Thanks.
While this question has already been answered in the Tarmogoyf Gatherer, P/T setting abilities similar to Goyf's work in all zones at all times. You were correct in your assumption. I will try and find the relevant rule soon.
Edit: 405.2. Some objects have intrinsic static abilities that define the object's colors, subtypes, power, or toughness. These abilities are characteristic-defining abilities, and they function in all zones. Abilities of an object that affect the characteristics of another object are not characteristic-defining abilities. Neither are abilities that an object grants to itself, or abilities that set the values of such characteristics only if certain conditions are met.
BlueScope says... Accepted answer #1
The term you're looking for here is characteristic-defining ability. These are the rules:
112.6a. Characteristic-defining abilities function everywhere, even outside the game. (See rule 604.3.)
604.3. Some static abilities are characteristic-defining abilities. A characteristic-defining ability conveys information about an objects characteristics that would normally be found elsewhere on that object (such as in its mana cost, type line, or power/toughness box). Characteristic-defining abilities function in all zones. They also function outside the game.
December 5, 2014 8 a.m.