So, I've been seeing cards like {Illusionist's Bracers} and I've been struggling with Mana vs Activated vs Static abilities. I think I've got it down now but I wanted to make sure.
Mana abilities are abilities that produce mana, they don't go on the stack. {Elvish Mystic}
Activated abilities are abilities that start with when, whenever or a cost. They go on the stack. {Guttersnipe} {Scalding Devil}
Static abilities are one word abilities such as lifelink, that have no activation cost. They don't go on the stack. {Child of the Night}
Is this right?
You're grasping it, but here's a run-down:
Mana abilities are like you said; They are an activated ability that produces mana, doesn't target, and isn't a Loyalty ability.
Activated Abilities are ones that have a cost attached to them. This is written as "[Cost]: [Effect]. Note it will always have a colon in there to separate the cost and effect. Planeswalker Loyalty Abilities are activated abilities with a cost of placing or removing loyalty counters.
Trigger abilities are ones that go off when a certain event happens. These always begin with "At", "When" or "Whenever".
Characteristic-Defining Abilities are ones that set the Power and/or Toughness of a creature that has a * in it, like the one on {Tarmogoyf}. These abilities apply no matter what zone the card is in.
Static abilities are anything else that doesn't fit in to one of the other categories and always applies while the permanent is on the battlefield, or in other zones, if the ability specifies.
Okay sweet. Thanks for the info.