List of known triggers for 2012
Summary
Below is a list of known triggers that are used in the TRIGGERED_ABILITY tag in the individual card XML files.
ABANDONED
ABILITY_PLAYED
ex. Burning Tree Shaman
ABILITY_RESOLVED
ACTIVATED_ABILITY_PLAYED
ATTACKERS_DECLARED
ATTACKING
This ability triggers when a creature attacks. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="ATTACKING">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
To see a working example of this, check the card Flameblast Dragon.
ATTACKING_AND_ISNT_BLOCKED
This ability triggers when a creature attacks and isn't blocked. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="ATTACKING_AND_ISNT_BLOCKED">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
As far as I am aware, there is no working example of this, however it works much the same as the card Flameblast Dragon.
BECAME_TAPPED
This ability triggers when a permanent becomes tapped. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="BECAME_TAPPED">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
As far as I am aware, there is no working example of this, but the best way to learn is to have a play around and see what you can come up with.
BECAME_TAPPED_FOR_MANA
BECAME_TARGET
BECAME_UNTAPPED
This ability triggers when a permanent becomes tapped. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="BECAME_UNTAPPED">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
As far as I am aware, there is no working example of this, but the best way to learn is to have a play around and see what you can come up with.
BEGINNING_OF_STEP
This ability triggers at the start of the specified step. It is used for cards that have abilities that occur at certain points, e.g. "every upkeep" or "during your upkeep". Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="BEGINNING_OF_STEP">
return MyUpkeep()
</TRIGGER>
For ideas on alternatives to MyUpkeep, look in the EXTRACT_INFO.LUA file, you can see a list of other similar steps and how to make your own.
BEGINNING_OF_TURN
BLOCKERS_DECLARED
BLOCKING
CARD_CONSIDERED_FOR_TARGETTING
This ability triggers if a card is being targeted by the internal system, not the player. It's mostly use when a card can't be targeted by spells and abilities and tells the computer not to let the player select it as a valid target. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="CARD_CONSIDERED_FOR_TARGETTING">
return SelfTriggered() and ( SecondaryObject():GetPlayer():GetTeam() ~= Object():GetPlayer():GetTeam() )
</TRIGGER>
What the second part of that return is doing is only including it if the targeting player is not (~=) on the same team as the player.
To see a working example of this, check the card Troll Ascetic.
CHAMPIONED
CLASH
COMBAT_DAMAGE_PUSHED
COMES_INTO_PLAY
This is fairly self explanatory, it triggers when a permanent comes into play. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="COMES_INTO_PLAY">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
To see a working example of this, check the card Angel of Mercy.
COMING_INTO_PLAY
CONTROLLER_CHANGED
COUNTERS_CHANGED
CREATURE_DEALT_COMBAT_DAMAGE
CREATURE_DEALT_COMBAT_DAMAGE
CREATURE_DEALT_COMBAT_DAMAGE_TO_CREATURE
This triggers when a creature deals combat damage to another creature. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="CREATURE_DEALT_COMBAT_DAMAGE_TO_CREATURE">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
If you want it to trigger when your creature deals combat damage to another creature, the other creature can be targeted in the effect part of the rule by calling SecondaryObject().
To see a working example of this, check the card Phage the Untouchable.
CREATURE_DEALT_COMBAT_DAMAGE_TO_PLAYER
This triggers when a creature deals combat damage to a player. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="CREATURE_DEALT_COMBAT_DAMAGE_TO_PLAYER">
return SelfTriggered()
</TRIGGER>
To see a working example of this, check the card Abyssal Spector.
CREATURE_TOOK_COMBAT_DAMAGE
CREATURE_TOOK_DAMAGE
CREATURE_TOOK_NON_COMBAT_DAMAGE
CYCLED
DESTROYED
DISCARD
This triggers when a player discards a card. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="DISCARD">
return Object():GetPlayer():GetTeam() ~= TriggerObject():GetPlayer():GetTeam()
</TRIGGER>
The above example returns when the opponent of the triggering card discards a card.
To see a working example of this, check the card Megrim.
DREW_CARD
This triggers when a player draws a card. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="DREW_CARD">
return OpponentTriggered( TriggerPlayer() )
</TRIGGER>
The above example returns when the opponent of the triggering card draws a card.
To see a working example of this, check the card Underworld Dreams.
END_OF_STEP
This is the same as BEGINNING_OF_STEP, except it triggers at the end of that step instead. It is also used for cards that have abilities that occur at certain points, e.g. "every upkeep" or "during your upkeep". Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="END_OF_STEP">
return MyUpkeep()
</TRIGGER>
For ideas on alternatives to MyUpkeep, look in the EXTRACT_INFO.LUA file, you can see a list of other similar steps and how to make your own.
END_OF_TURN
EQUIPMENT_ATTACHED
EVASION_TEST
HIT_GRAVEYARD
KICKER_PAID
LAND_PLAYED
This triggers when a player plays a land. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="LAND_PLAYED">
return YouDontControl()
</TRIGGER>
The above example returns when the opponent of the triggering card plays a land.
To see a working example of this, check the card Dirtcowl Wurm.
LOST_CLASH
PAY_CUMULATIVE_UPKEEP
PAY_ECHO
PLAYER_CONSIDERED_FOR_TARGETTING
This ability triggers if a player is being targeted by the internal system, not the player. It's mostly used when a player can't be targeted by spells and abilities and tells the computer not to let the other player select it as a valid target. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="PLAYER_CONSIDERED_FOR_TARGETTING">
return (TriggerPlayer() == Object():GetPlayer()) and (SecondaryObject():GetPlayer():GetTeam() ~= Object():GetPlayer():GetTeam())
</TRIGGER>
To see a working example of this, check the card Spirit of the Hearth.
PLAYER_GAINED_LIFE
PLAYER_LIFE_CHANGED
PLAYER_LOSES_GAME
PLAYER_LOST_LIFE
PLAYER_TOOK_COMBAT_DAMAGE
PLAYER_TOOK_DAMAGE
This triggers when a player takes damage. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="PLAYER_TOOK_DAMAGE">
local damage = Damage():GetAmount()
if damage > 0 then
Object():Register_Set( 0 , damage )
return Damage():GetSource() == Object()
else
return false
end
</TRIGGER>
The above example is quite complicated compared to some others. What it is doing is retrieving the amount of damage the player has taken and recording it into a variable and then registering that variable. This is handy if the amount of damage is important as it can then be retrieved in the <EFFECT> section of the rule.
To see a working example of this, check the card Corrupt.
PLAYER_TOOK_NON_COMBAT_DAMAGE
SACRIFICE
SET_IN_MOTION
SPELL_BEING_COUNTERED
This triggers when a spell is being countered. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="SPELL_BEING_COUNTERED">
return TriggerObject():GetCardType():Test( CARD_TYPE_CREATURE ) ~= 0
</TRIGGER>
I'm not completely clear on how this one works, but the above line prevents creature spells from being countered.
To see a working example of this, check the card Gaeas Herald.
SPELL_OR_ABILITY_CAUSED_SHUFFLE
SPELL_PLAYED
This triggers when a spell is played. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="SPELL_PLAYED">
return WhiteSpell()
</TRIGGER>
The above example triggers whenever a white spell is cast.
To see a working example of this, check the card Angel's Feather.
SPELL_RESOLVED
STACK_POPPED
STACK_PUSHED
STATE_BASED_EFFECTS
TARGETS_CHOSEN
TURNED_FACE_UP
UNATTACHED_FROM_CREATURE
WAS_BLOCKED
WAS_BLOCKED_BY
WON_CLASH
ZONECHANGE
This triggers when a permanent moves from one zone to another. Example syntax:
<TRIGGER value="ZONECHANGE">
return ( SelfTriggered() and (Object():GetZone() == ZONE_GRAVEYARD) and (Object():GetErstwhileZone() == ZONE_IN_PLAY) )
</TRIGGER>
The above example triggers when the card moves from into the graveyard from play.
To see a working example of this, check the card Mudbutton Torchrunner.
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