Waterbend

Keywords · intermediate

Waterbend [cost] is a keyword action: pay the cost, but for each generic mana in it you may tap an untapped artifact or creature you control instead of paying that mana.

How it works

• Waterbend [cost] means pay [cost]; for each generic mana in that cost, you may tap an untapped artifact or creature you control rather than pay that mana.
• If the waterbend cost is only part of a larger total cost (for example, an additional cost to cast a spell that also has its own generic mana in its mana cost), the tap-instead-of-pay option only covers the generic mana inside the waterbend cost itself, not any other generic mana in the total cost.
• Colored mana within a waterbend cost still has to be paid as mana — only the generic portion can be covered by tapping permanents.
• An ability that triggers whenever a player waterbends triggers whenever that player pays a waterbend cost, regardless of how they paid it.

Rules notes

• Waterbend is a way to pay part of a cost, not a spell or ability by itself, so casting or activating something with a waterbend cost still follows the normal casting and activation rules.
• Waterbending is one of several bending-themed keywords in this set. Airbend, earthbend, and firebending are separate mechanics with their own distinct rules text.

Rule reference

[701.67]