Flying

Keywords · beginner

A creature with flying can only be blocked by other creatures that have flying or reach. It can still block any creature normally.

How it works

• Flying is an evasion ability. It changes who is allowed to block this creature in combat.
• Flying creatures can block ground creatures and other flying creatures alike.
• Reach is the only common ability that lets a non-flying creature block fliers. (Mountains are tall enough that arrows still hit dragons, basically.)

Common interactions

• A creature with flying and trample can be blocked by another flier or reacher; if blocked, excess damage tramples through.
• Removing flying (with abilities like Plummet or Hurricane) often acts like removal in a deck full of fliers.
• Flying does not let a creature avoid being targeted by spells -- it only matters in combat.

Rule reference

[702.9]