Activated abilitys

[Pakamper]

Is an effect like {Black Cat}'s an activated ability? Or does it have to be like "tap, destroy target creature"?

[TBNL]

The latter, you must pay a cost to use an Activated Ability

[Pakamper]

The latter, you must pay a cost to use an Activated Ability

I know that, but does the {Black Cat} dying count as a cost?

[BlackJester]

The easiest way to recognize an activated ability is a : 

[Poof]

How is it a cost if the other guy kills it for you what are u paying?  Sacrifice would be a cost. It's called a triggered ability cause dying triggers it

[Pakamper]

The easiest way to recognize an activated ability is a :

Thanks jester. Looks like {Havengul Lich} is out of my deck considering ive only got 2 {Cemetary Reaper}'s. 

[BlackJester]

Triggered abilities, like {Black Cat}'s, have the words "if", "when", or "at".

[Pakamper]

Triggered abilities, like {Black Cat}'s, have the words "if", "when", or "at".

I feel so silly for not knowing this entirely considering ive been playing for about 8 months and being addicted to magic. But i guess it never hurts to clarify. I had a gut feeling that it wasnt an activated ability.

[BlackJester]

No worries. You can always look it up too. 😉

[Pakamper]

No worries. You can always look it up too. 😉

Thats the thing. I allways try took look up the rules before posting but all it said was [Cost]: [Effect]

[Poof]

Self explanatory no?

[BlackJester]

No worries. You can always look it up too. 😉

Thats the thing. I allways try took look up the rules before posting but all it said was [Cost]: [Effect]

Exactly!  Since there is no : in the text of {Black Cat}, it's not an activated ability.

[Pakamper]

No worries. You can always look it up too. 😉

Thats the thing. I allways try took look up the rules before posting but all it said was [Cost]: [Effect]

Exactly!  Since there is no : in the text of {Black Cat}, it's not an activated ability.

Those kiniving geniuses at mtg headquarters! 😒