Question about activated abilities

Tima · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 22

Hi. Let's say the enemy has an a creature with an ability that says "In the beginning of your upkeep, you may search your library for a rat card, reveal it, and put it into your hand". Is that ability activated, or triggered? As it's written MAY, it isn't triggered naturally, and he has to activate it each upkeep. Just my point of view. There was nothing about it in the magic rulings section.
Anyone knows if, let's say, I play faith's fetters on that creature, if he will be able to search his library every turn?
Thanks in advance, Tima.

st4x · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 358

its triggered.

Dzy · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 139

It is triggered, because it "triggers" at a certain point (the upkeep). Activated always has this format: "Cost : Effect", like 2, Tap: Tap target Creature. Or: 2, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.

Guest · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject:

Any ability that uses the words 'when', 'whenever', or 'at' is triggered. The word "may" means that when this triggered ability resolves, the player has the option of whether or not to perform the action. This ability will trigger every turn. The "may" does not mean that the player can not have the ability trigger, just that when it resolves he can choose to have it do nothing.

Tima · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 22

thanks a lot!

Void06 · Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Posts: 179

All activated abilities have a cost followed by a colin then the effect:

Transmute-

1UU, Discard Drift of Phantasms: Search your library for.... etc