How to Design MTG Cards with Proper Syntax: Complete Guide

Writing proper Magic: The Gathering card text is an art form. Wizards of the Coast uses very specific templating language that makes cards clear, consistent, and legally precise. This guide teaches you how to write card text that looks authentic and follows official conventions.

Why Syntax Matters

Proper Magic syntax ensures:

• Clarity - Players understand exactly what the card does
• Consistency - Cards feel like real Magic cards
• Legality - Text can be interpreted correctly in rules
• Authenticity - Your custom cards look professional

Basic Syntax Rules

Card Name References

Use the tilde (~) to reference the card's own name:

• Correct: "When ~ enters the battlefield..."
• Incorrect: "When this card enters the battlefield..."
• Incorrect: "When [Card Name] enters the battlefield..."

Capitalization Rules

• Card names: Always capitalized (e.g., "Lightning Bolt")
• Subtypes: Always capitalized (e.g., "Creature — Elf Warrior")
• Keywords: Capitalized when used as abilities (e.g., "Flying")
• Regular words: Lowercase in rules text

Punctuation

• Periods: End each sentence with a period
• Commas: Separate clauses and lists
• Colons: Introduce costs or choices
• Parentheses: Enclose reminder text

Card Type Syntax

Creature Cards

Format:

• Example: "3/3" (three power, three toughness)
• Always use numbers, not words
• Place after the type line

Instant and Sorcery Cards

• No power/toughness
• Focus on effect and timing
• Instants can be cast at instant speed
• Sorceries can only be cast during main phases

Enchantment Cards

• Auras: "Enchant [target]"
• Regular: Just the type
• May have "Enchant [permanent type]" restrictions

Artifact Cards

• May be creatures or non-creatures
• Often colorless
• Can have colored variants

Ability Word Syntax

Triggered Abilities

Format:

• When: One-time trigger
• Whenever: Repeating trigger
• At: Specific timing trigger

Examples:

• "When ~ enters the battlefield, draw a card."
• "Whenever you cast a spell, ~ deals 1 damage to any target."
• "At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain 1 life."

Activated Abilities

Format:

• Cost comes before the colon
• Effect comes after
• Can be used multiple times if you can pay

Examples:

• "
  
  : Add
  
  ."
• "
  
  ,
  
  : Draw a card."
• "
  
  
  : ~ deals X damage to any target."

Static Abilities

Format:

• Always-on effects
• No trigger or activation
• Usually at the beginning of rules text

Examples:

• "Flying"
• "~ gets +1/+1 for each land you control."
• "You can't be attacked by more than one creature."

Keyword Ability Syntax

Evergreen Keywords

These appear frequently and have standard wording:

Flying

• "Flying" (reminder text optional)

Trample

• "Trample" (reminder: "This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.")

Haste

• "Haste" (reminder: "This creature can attack and
  
  as soon as it comes under your control.")

Vigilance

• "Vigilance" (reminder: "Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.")

Deathtouch

• "Deathtouch" (reminder: "Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.")

Reminder Text

Include reminder text in parentheses for complex keywords:

• Use on commons and uncommons
• Can omit on rares/mythics (space permitting)
• Always in italics in actual cards

Mana Cost Syntax

Mana Symbols

• Generic:
  
  ,
  
  ,
  
• Colored:
  
  ,
  
  ,
  
  ,
  
  ,
  
• Hybrid:
  
  ,
  
• Phyrexian:
  

Mana Cost Order

Strict order for multicolor costs:

1. Generic mana (
   
   ,
   
   )
2. White (
   
   )
3. Blue (
   
   )
4. Black (
   
   )
5. Red (
   
   )
6. Green (
   
   )

Examples:

• 
  
  (Green-White, adjacent)
• 
  
  (Red-White, shortest path)
• 
  
  
  (Generic, Red, Green)

Targeting Syntax

Target Restrictions

Format:

• Be specific about what can be targeted
• Use "any target" for flexible targeting
• Specify "creature", "player", "planeswalker" as needed

Examples:

• "~ deals 3 damage to any target."
• "Destroy target creature."
• "Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand."

Timing and Speed

When Abilities Can Be Used

• Instants: Anytime you have priority
• Sorceries: During your main phase, stack empty
• Activated abilities: Usually instant speed (unless specified)
• Triggered abilities: Happen automatically when triggered

Stack Order

• Last in, first out (LIFO)
• Players can respond to spells/abilities
• Use "in response" language when needed

Common Syntax Mistakes

Mistake 1: Wrong Card Name Reference

• Wrong: "When this card enters..."
• Right: "When ~ enters..."

Mistake 2: Incorrect Capitalization

• Wrong: "creature — elf warrior"
• Right: "Creature — Elf Warrior"

Mistake 3: Missing Punctuation

• Wrong: "Draw a card"
• Right: "Draw a card."

Mistake 4: Wrong Mana Order

• Wrong:
  
  
  for a Green-White card
• Right:
  
  
  (follow color pie order)

Mistake 5: Informal Language

• Wrong: "This thing gets bigger"
• Right: "~ gets +1/+1"

Advanced Syntax

Modal Spells

Format:

• Use em dash (—)
• Separate options with semicolons
• Each option is a complete effect

Example: "Choose one — Destroy target artifact; or destroy target enchantment."

Kicker and Additional Costs

Format:

• Base effect first
• Conditional effect after
• Use "instead" when replacing

Example: "Draw a card. If ~ was kicked, draw two cards instead."

Replacement Effects

Format:

• Use "would" and "instead"
• Be clear about what's being replaced

Example: "If a source would deal damage to you, prevent 1 of that damage."

Formatting Tips

Line Breaks

• Keep related text together
• Break at logical points
• Don't break mid-clause

Text Length

• Aim for 6-7 lines maximum
• Simplify if text is too long
• Use keywords to save space

Clarity Over Brevity

• Be clear even if it takes more words
• Don't sacrifice clarity for space
• Use reminder text when helpful

Testing Your Syntax

Read It Aloud

• Does it sound like a real Magic card?
• Is the meaning clear?
• Would players understand it?

Compare to Real Cards

• Look up similar real cards
• Match their syntax
• Follow established patterns

Get Feedback

• Ask experienced players
• Post on custom card forums
• Test in play if possible

Resources for Learning Syntax

Official Sources

• Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules
• Wizards' style guide
• Recent card releases

Card Databases

• Scryfall - Search for similar cards
• Gatherer - Official card database
• EDHREC - See how cards are worded

Tools

• TCGCustom - Helps with proper formatting
• Magic Set Editor - Includes syntax checking
• Custom card communities - Get feedback

Practice Examples

Simple Creature

Card: 2/2 creature for

Text: "When ~ enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle."

Instant Spell

Card: Instant for

Text: "~ deals 3 damage to any target. Draw a card."

Enchantment

Card: Enchantment for

Text: "Creatures you control get +1/+1."

Conclusion

Mastering Magic: The Gathering card syntax takes practice, but following these rules will make your custom cards look authentic and professional. Use proper templating, follow capitalization rules, and match the syntax of real Magic cards.

Start designing with proper syntax using TCGCustom, which helps guide you through correct formatting. With practice and attention to detail, your custom cards will read like they came from Wizards of the Coast themselves.