Flying
Flying is a core keyword ability. It has appeared in every Magic: The Gathering set.
A creature with flying can't be blocked except by other creatures with flying. In other words, a 1/1 creature with flying can't be blocked by a 5/5 creature without flying. The 1/1 flying creature may block the 5/5 creature without.
The most common non-keyword ability that deals with flying is the Reach ability: This creature can block as though it had flying. Though the creature does not have flying, it blocks as though it does. Such a creature can't be targeted by spells or abilities that only target creatures with flying. This ability is seen mainly on green cards, and usually on cards with the creature type "Spider".
A recent rule change made such creatures block as though they had flying, even if the creature blocked didn't. This means that such creatures can't block creatures that can't be blocked by creatures with flying.
Many other abilities related to flying have been written on cards. These include:
- The blue ability This creature can only block creatures with flying, a drawback to blue flying cards.
- This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying. Despite being the functional equivalent of flying, this green ability is not flying.
- Many green spells and abilities punish players with flying creatures. The most well-known example is the spell 'Hurricane'.
