<p>Unless otherwise specified, static abilities like the second ability of Mairsil, the Pretender function only while the card is on the battlefield.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>604.2. Static abilities create continuous effects, some of which are prevention effects or replacement
  effects. <strong>These effects are active as long as the permanent with the ability remains on the battlefield
  and has the ability</strong>, or as long as the object with the ability remains in the appropriate zone, as
  described in rule 112.6.</p>
  
  <p>112.6. Abilities of an instant or sorcery spell usually function only while that object is on the stack.
  <strong>Abilities of all other objects usually function only while that object is on the battlefield.</strong> The exceptions are as follows: [...]</p>
</blockquote>

<p>To clear up some confusion: All abilities that aren't spell abilities, activated abilities or triggered abilities are static abilities and are subject to the rules I mentioned above. But there are some exceptions to rule 112.6 that define which abilities might be effective even outside the battlefield. Some examples are:</p>

<ul>
<li>Characteristic-defining abilities (like "This card is all colors.")</li>
<li>Abilities that say that say that they function in a specific zone.</li>
<li>Abilities that modify the deck-building rules (like "A deck can have any number of cards named Relentless Rats.")</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-28T13:30:51.520Z
2019-08-28T14:48:35.420Z
2019-08-28T14:48:35.420Z
Manuel Hoffmann
<p>Does <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bMairsil%2c%20the%20Pretender%5d">Mairsil, the Pretender</a> ability work on activated abilities that are not reliant on being on the battlefield?
Or is his second ability only in effect while he-himself is on the field?</p>

<p>For instance <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bYuriko%2c%5d%2b%5bthe%5d%2b%5bTiger%27s%5d%2b%5bShadow%5d">Yuriko, the Tiger&#39;s Shadow</a> activated keyword <em>Commander ninjutsu</em>? Or <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bReassembling%20Skeleton%5d">Reassembling Skeleton</a>?
(If either is a bad example please use a better example of an activated ability usable from another zone, hand, graveyard, etc.) </p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Mairsil, the Pretender Out of Battlefield abilities
L.P.
# Mairsil, the Pretender Out of Battlefield abilities

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-08-28)

Does [Mairsil, the Pretender](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bMairsil%2c%20the%20Pretender%5d) ability work on activated abilities that are not reliant on being on the battlefield?
Or is his second ability only in effect while he-himself is on the field?

For instance [Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bYuriko%2c%5d%2b%5bthe%5d%2b%5bTiger%27s%5d%2b%5bShadow%5d) activated keyword *Commander ninjutsu*? Or [Reassembling Skeleton](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bReassembling%20Skeleton%5d)?
(If either is a bad example please use a better example of an activated ability usable from another zone, hand, graveyard, etc.)

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-08-28. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Unless otherwise specified, static abilities like the second ability of Mairsil, the Pretender function only while the card is on the battlefield.

> 604.2. Static abilities create continuous effects, some of which are prevention effects or replacement
> effects. **These effects are active as long as the permanent with the ability remains on the battlefield
> and has the ability**, or as long as the object with the ability remains in the appropriate zone, as
> described in rule 112.6.
>
> 112.6. Abilities of an instant or sorcery spell usually function only while that object is on the stack.
> **Abilities of all other objects usually function only while that object is on the battlefield.** The exceptions are as follows: [...]

To clear up some confusion: All abilities that aren't spell abilities, activated abilities or triggered abilities are static abilities and are subject to the rules I mentioned above. But there are some exceptions to rule 112.6 that define which abilities might be effective even outside the battlefield. Some examples are:

* Characteristic-defining abilities (like "This card is all colors.")
* Abilities that say that say that they function in a specific zone.
* Abilities that modify the deck-building rules (like "A deck can have any number of cards named Relentless Rats.")


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