613 Layers (Continuous Effects)
Rules by topic
When multiple continuous effects modify the same permanent, the rules apply them in a strict order called layers. This is famously the most complex rule in Magic. Don't sweat memorizing it -- look it up when something weird happens, and the answer is here.
The seven layers
- Copy effects -- "becomes a copy of" (layer 1a); face-down spells and permanents get their characteristics here too (layer 1b)
- Control-changing effects -- "gain control of"
- Text-changing effects -- "all instances of red are blue"
- Type-changing effects -- "becomes an artifact creature in addition to its other types"
- Color-changing effects -- "is white"
- Ability-adding/removing effects -- "has trample", "loses all abilities", and keyword counters
- Power/toughness-changing effects -- broken into sublayers:
- 7a. CDAs (characteristic-defining abilities like Tarmogoyf's P/T)
- 7b. Setting P/T to specific values ("base power and toughness 0/4")
- 7c. Modifying P/T, counters included ("+2/+2", a +1/+1 counter)
- 7d. Switching P/T
Within a layer
In layers 2 through 6, characteristic-defining abilities apply first (613.3). Otherwise, effects in the same layer or sublayer apply in timestamp order -- earliest first -- unless one effect depends on another, which overrides the timestamps (613.7, 613.8).
Practical advice
- 90% of layer questions resolve to: "Apply all P/T changes after type/ability changes, in the order I listed above."
- If you find yourself untangling a 5-effect interaction at the table, take a guess at table consensus and look it up afterward. Nobody will judge you.
- The Layers article in the wiki's interaction group has more plain-English worked examples, including Humility and Lignify.
Most common test cases
- Humility + Tarmogoyf: Humility removes abilities in layer 6 and sets base P/T to 1/1 in layer 7b. Whatever Tarmogoyf's CDA does in 7a, 7b comes later. Result: 1/1 with no abilities.
- Glorious Anthem (creatures you control get +1/+1) + a -1/-1 counter: both are layer 7c, so they simply add up. A 1/1 you control is 2/2 with the Anthem, and 1/1 again once it also has the counter.
- Lignify (enchanted creature is a Treefolk with base power and toughness 0/4 and loses all abilities): layers 4 (type), 6 (no abilities), 7b (0/4). Applied in that order on the enchanted creature.