Adapt

Keywords · intermediate

Adapt N is an activated ability on a creature: if the creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put N +1/+1 counters on it.

How it works

• "Adapt N" means "if this permanent has no +1/+1 counters on it, put N +1/+1 counters on it."
• Adapt does nothing if the creature already has even a single +1/+1 counter on it, regardless of the source.
• Adapt is typically paired with an activation cost printed on the card, so activating it and paying that cost are two separate steps.

Rules notes

• Any +1/+1 counter blocks adapt, not just ones from a previous adapt activation. A creature that picked up a +1/+1 counter from an unrelated effect can no longer adapt.
• You can still activate an adapt ability on a creature that already has +1/+1 counters; it just resolves and does nothing, since the "no counters" check is part of the effect, not an activation restriction.
• -1/-1 counters do not block adapt on their own; the check in the rules text is specifically for +1/+1 counters.

Rule reference

[701.46]