Modified in MTG: Rules, History, and Best Cards

Last updated on September 30, 2025

Thundering Raiju | Illustration by Xavier Ribeiro

We’ve had to redefine terms of commonly occurring conditions of cards in Magic over time. Things like “historic” meaning artifacts, anything with the legendary subtype, and sagas or “outlaws” referring to a specific subsection of creature types.

These shorthand definitions allow for more design space. Today I look at one of these terms introduced in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty: modified.

How Does Modified Work?

Flame Discharge | Illustration by Joshua Raphael

“Modified” refers to any creature that’s equipped, enchanted by their controller’s aura, or has counters on them. It’s important to note that since modified only applies to creatures, the answer will be no if a permanent were a noncreature when checking if something is modified. An example of this is if Heliod, Sun-Crowned had a +1/+1 counter on it but didn’t have enough devotion to be a creature, it wouldn’t be considered modified.

The History of Modified in MTG

Modified first debuted in 2021 on the Mystery Booster test card Louvaq, the Aberrant. For traditional set releases the mechanic debuted less than a year later in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.

Modified is evergreen, much like historic and party. And while some sets won’t deal with using modified as a resource, creatures are still considered modified if they meet the requirements.

Do Any Counters Count as Modified?

Yes, any counter on your creature makes it modified. Whether that is a shield counter, a stun counter, a slime counter, or any other counters, these little things make up one modified creature.

Are Enchantment Creatures Modified?

Enchantment creatures aren’t inherently enchanted by an aura. The “enchantment” portion of being modified specifies that the creature has to have an aura controlled by its controller enchanting it.

Are Artifact Creatures Modified?

Much like enchantment creatures, artifact creatures aren’t modified by default. They have to meet one of the requirements (equipped, enchanted, or have a counter) to be considered modified.

Do Static Effects Like Anthems Count for Modified?

No, static effects like an anthem do not count for modified.

Do Instants That Give a Stat Boost Count as Modified?

No, an instant or combat trick alone does not mean you have a modified creature. It is more likely your instant drops a +1/+1 counter on your creature and that is what would grant it the modified designation.

Is My Creature Modified if My Opponent Enchants It?

No. A creature has to be enchanted by an aura controlled by the creature’s controller to be considered modified, not one controlled your opponent.

Does a -1/-1 Counter Count for Modified?

Yes, a creature with a -1/-1 counter is modified. Modified doesn’t care how a creature received a counter or what kind of counter is on the creature, only that the creature has a counter on it.

Are Vehicles Modified Creatures in MTG?

A vehicle that is crewed or not crewed is still not modified. If you used after market products at your local hobby shop, that's another story. But seriously, that crewed vehicle card can still hold counters, be enchanted, or potentially equipped, and only then would it be a modified creature.

Does Prowess Count for Modified?

No, prowess does not make a creature modified, even though it can affect their power and toughness.

Is a Mutated Creature Modified?

No, mutated creatures are not modified creatures. I think of it as modifications being external to the card, while mutated creatures are changed at the interior, genetic level.

Best Modified Cards

#5. Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei

I confess that I've never actually activated the second ability on Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei. My opponent's have certainly adjusted do to the threat of activation, but caring about the modified creature is enough to give this haste-granting card a mention among cards that love modified creatures.

#4. Silkguard

Silkguard is a fantastically scalable card that grants hexproof to as many creatures as you can pay for on this X spell. It's a really nice touch that the auras and equipment themselves also gain hexproof, a super useful card.

#3. Akki Battle Squad

Akki Battle Squad grants you an additional combat phase in one of the easiest ways possible, and what really puts this ahead of other effects is that it untaps all your modified creatures whether they attacked or not.

#2. Kodama of the West Tree

Kodama of the West Tree makes it easy to get Rampant Growth with each bit of saboteur damage. Just make sure you use one of green's many ways to add a +1/+1 counter start awarding yourself lander token effects.

#1. Thundering Raiju

Thundering Raiju is a solid haste flier that can make your creatures bigger and modified, and it deals extra damage to opponents equal to the number of modified creatures you control not including itself. Hitting each opponent helps push this card as a quick finisher in go wide decks with modified creatures.

Wrap Up

Silkguard | Illustration by Dave Johnson

With this update to the terminology of Magic we can easily classify a pretty common occurrence for creatures. This opens design space to reward players for doing things they were already doing.

It makes for fun and entertaining gameplay when players get rewards just for doing the things they already want to do. I hope we see more modified payoffs in the future and continue to streamline categorizing common things like historic and modified do.

What kind of modified cards or payoffs are you looking forward to in future sets releases? Let me know in the comments or on Draftsim’s official Twitter.

Thank you for reading, and stay safe!