| Convert | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Transformers |
| Last used | Transformers |
| Reminder Text | No official reminder text |
| Statistics |
15 cards  13.3%  6.7%  13.3%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  26.7% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Convert" | |
Convert is a keyword action introduced in Transformers and means to turn a double-faced card to the opposite face.[1][2] It is exactly the same as Transform.[3]
Description
Similar to Transform, if an ability instructs you to convert the permanent, you turn it over so its other face is up. Whichever face is up at the time tells you what that permanent is and what it can do.
History
Convert is a mechanic developed to allow double-faced cards to transform between both faces, representing the Transformers ability to convert between their robot mode and alternate mode.
"Convert" is the term used by Hasbro on the packaging and in the manuals for the Transformers franchise.[4][5] They do this to avoid genericizing the term Transformer and transform, and thus to protect their trademark. Under US trademark law, a trademarked term can lose its trademark if it becomes a generalized term for what it represents (such as "Band-Aid" for an adhesive bandage, "Kleenex" for tissue, or "Hoover" for vacuum cleaner). In an attempt to keep "Transformers" as a specific, trademarked term for their brand, the toys and media always refer to the change between robot and vehicle as "converting." This is especially ironic in this case since they had to trade in the existing Magic: The Gathering Transform mechanic for the new Convert.
Earlier, the silver-bordered Hascon 2017 promo Grimlock, Dinobot Leader // Grimlock, Ferocious King had already used "convert a toy" as the transform mechanic.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]])
- Convert
- To turn a double-faced card so its other face is up. See rule 701.28, “Convert.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]])
- 701.28. Convert
- 701.28a To convert a permanent, turn it so that its other face is up. This follows rules 701.27a–f, 712.9–10, and 712.18. Those rules apply to converting a permanent just as they apply to transforming a permanent.
- 701.28b Although converting a permanent uses the same physical action as turning a permanent face up or face down, they are different game actions. Abilities that trigger when a permanent is turned face down won’t trigger when that permanent converts, and so on.
- 701.28c If a spell or ability instructs a player to convert a permanent that isn’t represented by a double-faced token or a double-faced card, nothing happens.
- 701.28d If a spell or ability instructs a player to convert a permanent, and the face that permanent would convert into is an instant or sorcery face, nothing happens.
- 701.28e If an activated or triggered ability of a permanent that isn’t a delayed triggered ability of that permanent tries to convert it, the permanent does so only if it hasn’t converted or transformed since the ability was put onto the stack. If a delayed triggered ability of a permanent tries to convert that permanent, the permanent does so only if it hasn’t converted or transformed since that delayed triggered ability was created. In both cases, if the permanent has already transformed or converted, an instruction to do either is ignored.
- 701.28f If a spell or ability states that a permanent can’t transform, that permanent also can’t convert.
Example
Example
Starscream, Power Hungry 
Legendary Artifact Creature — Robot
2/3
More Than Meets the Eye 
(You may cast this card converted for )
Flying
Whenever you draw a card, if you’re the monarch, target opponent loses 2 life.
Whenever one or more creatures deal combat damage to you, convert Starscream.
Rulings
- The convert keyword action functions the same way as the transform keyword action found on some other cards; to convert a permanent on the battlefield, turn it over so that its other face is up.[6]
- The mana value of a converted permanent on the battlefield is equal to the mana value of the card's front face, no matter which face is up.
- Converting a permanent doesn't affect any Auras or Equipment that are attached to it. Similarly, any counters on the permanent will remain on that permanent after it converts. Any continuous effects from a resolved spell or ability will continue to affect it. Any spells or abilities on the stack that target a permanent continue to do so after that permanent converts.
- Any triggered ability of another card that triggers whenever a permanent transforms will also trigger whenever a permanent converts.
- Similarly, an ability of another card that instructs you to "transform" one of these cards will cause you to convert it, even if that ability doesn't use the word "convert."
References
- ↑ Hasbro Pulse Con 2022, DAY ONE (Video). Hasbro Pulse. YouTube (September 30, 2022).
- ↑ Matt Tabak (October 27, 2022). "The Brothers' War Mechanics". Magicthegathering.com.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 12, 2022). "Odds & Ends: The Brothers' War". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Nick Miller (September 30, 2022). "Transformers MTG Cards To Show Up In The Brothers’ War Booster Packs". StarCityGames.
- ↑ Transformers wiki
- ↑ Jess Dunks (November 7, 2022). "The Brothers' War Release Notes". Magicthegathering.com.