| Strive | |
|---|---|
| Ability Word | |
| Introduced | Journey into Nyx |
| Last used | Commander 2020 |
| Typical Text | Strive — CARDNAME costs [mana] more to cast for each target beyond the first. |
| Storm Scale | 8[1] |
| Statistics |
20 cards  20%  20%  10%  20%  25%  5% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Strive" | |
Strive is an ability word introduced in Journey into Nyx, where it was connected to the hero theme of the block.
Description
As you cast a spell with strive, you can choose any number of targets, paying an additional cost for each target beyond the first.[2] It is particularly effective in triggering multiple Heroic abilities. Strive costs tend to require colored mana while the base spell is efficiently costed for the first target. It is an effective mana sink in the late game but only works on instants and sorceries, as permanents are not generally able to target before they resolve without mentioning the stack.
History
The first ability matching Strive's functionality was present with Alpha's Fireball, which only scaled well relative to the creatures of the time. Following that, Phyrexian Purge is mechanically similar but uses an additional life payment instead of mana.
Strive has only been featured on one card since Journey into Nyx — Commander 2020's Call the Coppercoats. Murders at Karlov Manor featured Officious Interrogation, which has the templated wording of Strive but not the ability word.
Strive proved difficult to use in other sets as it was a mana sink that required a large number of targets to be effective, something not all sets were designed to create in the mid-to-late game. The need for multiple targets also restricted the mechanical design space to effects that could be used on creatures and artifacts; the most common card types in limited formats. It was generally not well received by players.[3]
Rulings
- You choose how many targets each spell with a strive ability has and what those targets are as you cast it. It's legal to cast such a spell with no targets, although this is rarely a good idea. You can't choose the same target more than once for a single strive spell.
- The mana cost and mana value of strive spells doesn't change no matter how many targets they have. Strive abilities affect only what you pay. For example, the mana value of Desperate Stand is always 2.
- If all of the spell's targets are illegal when the spell tries to resolve, it will be countered and none of its effects will happen. If one or more of its targets are legal when it tries to resolve, the spell will resolve and affect only those legal targets. It will not affect any illegal targets.
- If such a spell is copied, and the effect that copies the spell allows a player to choose new targets for the copy, the number of targets can't be changed. The player may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If for one of the targets, the player can't choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
- If a spell or ability allows you to cast a strive spell without paying its mana cost, you must pay the additional costs for any targets beyond the first.
Examples
Example
Ajani's Presence
Instant
Strive — Ajani's Presence costs 
more to cast for each target beyond the first.
Any number of target creatures each get +1/+1 and gain indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy them.)
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2020-12-07). "Storm Scale: Theros and Theros Beyond Death". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Kelly Digges (April 7, 2014). "Mechanics of Journey into Nyx". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 01, 2018). "How was Strive received?". Blogatog. Tumblr.