An ability that triggers when a creature “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers when the creature becomes an unblocked attacking creature. See rule 309.2f.

Some enchantments have the subtype “Aura.” An Aura spell requires a target whose properties are indicated by its enchant keyword ability. An Aura permanent comes into play attached to the permanent or player the spell targeted. See rule 212.4, “Enchantments,” and rule 502.45, “Enchant.”

An Aura can enchant only a permanent or player whose properties are indicated by its enchant keyword ability. An Aura attached to an illegal permanent or not attached to a permanent is put into its owner’s graveyard. (This is a state-based effect. See rule 420.)

Banding is a static ability that modifies the rules for declaring attackers and assigning combat damage. “Bands with other” is a specialized version of the ability. See rule 502.10, “Banding,” and rule 502.11, “Bands with Other.”

Basic is a supertype. Any land with the supertype basic is a basic land. Any land without that supertype is a nonbasic land. See rule 205.4, “Supertypes.”

There are five basic land types: Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest. Every basic land type has a mana ability associated with it. (See rule 212.6, “Lands.”)

Some trigger events use the word “becomes” (for example, “becomes tapped” or “becomes blocked”). These trigger only at the time the named event happens-they don’t trigger if that state already exists or retrigger if it persists. For example, “becomes tapped” triggers only when a permanent’s status changes from untapped to tapped.

The beginning of combat step is the first step of the combat phase. A player may play spells and abilities during this step whenever he or she has priority. See rule 307, “Beginning of Combat Step.”

The beginning phase is the first phase of the turn. It has three steps: untap, upkeep, and draw. See rule 301, “Beginning Phase.”

A creature blocks when it’s declared as a blocker during the combat phase. See rule 309, “Declare Blockers Step.”

A creature is blocking alone when it’s the sole creature controlled by the defending player declared as a blocker in a given combat phase. See rule 306.4.

An attacking creature becomes a blocked creature when another creature blocks it or an effect causes it to become blocked during the combat phase. It remains a blocked creature until it’s removed from combat, it stops being a creature, its controller changes, or the combat phase ends. A blocked creature doesn’t become unblocked if the blocking creature is later removed from combat. Blocked creatures don’t exist outside of the combat phase. See rule 309, “Declare Blockers Step.”

A creature becomes a blocking creature when (a) it’s declared as part of a legal block during the combat phase and (b) all costs to block, if any, have been paid. It remains a blocking creature until it’s removed from combat, it stops being a creature, its controller changes, or the combat phase ends. Blocking creatures don’t exist outside of the combat phase. See rule 309, “Declare Blockers Step.”

Bloodthirst is a static ability. “Bloodthirst N” means “If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this permanent comes into play with N +1/+1 counters on it.” See rule 502.50, “Bloodthirst.”

Some older cards were printed with the term “bury,” which meant to put a permanent into its owner’s graveyard. In general, cards that were printed with the term “bury” now read, “Destroy [a permanent]. It can’t be regenerated,” or “Sacrifice [a permanent].”

Bushido is a triggered ability. “Bushido N” means “Whenever this creature blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +N/+N until end of turn.” (See rule 309, “Declare Blockers Step.”)

Buyback appears on some instants and sorceries. It represents two static abilities that function while the spell is on the stack. “Buyback [cost]” means “You may pay an additional [cost] as you play this spell” and “If the buyback cost was paid, put this spell into its owner’s hand instead of into that player’s graveyard as it resolves.” Paying a spell’s buyback cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 409.1b and 409.1f-h. See rule 502.16, “Buyback.”

This is a nickname for any spell that has “Draw a card” as part of its effect.

When a rule or text on a card refers to a “card,” it means a Magic card with a Magic card front and the Magic card back. Tokens aren’t considered cards-even a card that represents a token isn’t considered a card for rules purposes. See rule 200.1.

Use the Oracle card reference to determine a card’s text.

Some older cards used the term “cast” to describe the playing of a spell. In general, cards that were printed with the term “cast” now use the term “play.”

Some older cards used the term “caster” to describe the player who played a spell. In general, cards that were printed with the term “caster” now refer to the object’s “controller.”

Some older cards used the term “casting cost” to describe the mana cost of a spell. In general, cards that were printed with the term “casting cost” now use the term “mana cost.” Cards that used the term “total casting cost” now use the term “converted mana cost.”

The target of a spell or ability can change only to another legal target. If the target can’t change to another legal target, the original target is unchanged. Changing a spell or ability’s target can’t change its mode. You can change the target of a spell or ability only if an effect tells you to change its target. See rule 415.7, “Changing Targets.”