Layers (Continuous Effects)
Interactions · advanced
When multiple continuous effects modify a permanent at the same time, the rules apply them in a strict order called layers. This is the most notoriously complex part of MTG rules. Don't worry if it takes a while to internalize -- everyone gets confused by layers.
The seven layers
- Copy effects -- "becomes a copy of"
- 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" or "loses all abilities"
- Power/toughness-changing effects -- broken into sublayers:
- 7a. CDAs (characteristic-defining abilities like Tarmogoyf's P/T)
- 7b. Setting P/T to specific values ("becomes 0/1")
- 7c. Modifying P/T ("+2/+2")
- 7d. Counters
- 7e. Switch P/T
Within each layer
Effects within the same layer are applied in timestamp order -- the most recent first, with dependency rules to handle effects that depend on each other.
Why this matters
Common layer puzzles:
- Humility (creatures lose all abilities and are 1/1): does Tarmogoyf still have its CDA? Humility applies in layers 6 and 7b. Tarmogoyf's CDA is layer 7a, applied first. Then Humility's "1/1" overrides in 7b. Result: 1/1.
- Mistform Ultimus (every creature type) plus Conspiracy (changeling): types add in layer 4 in timestamp order. Order matters less because both are additive.
- Lignify (turns target creature into a 0/4 Treefolk with no abilities): layers 4 (type), 6 (no abilities), 7b (0/4). Applied left-to-right.
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-layer interaction at the table, it's usually fine to take a guess at the table consensus and look it up afterward.
- The Comprehensive Rules are the authoritative source. Section [613] is the layers section.
[613]