Whenever this creature attacks,
blightTo “blight N” means to put N -1/-1 counters on a creature you control.
If a player is given the choice to blight but is unable to put N -1/-1 counters on a creature they control (usually because they control no creatures), they can’t choose to blight.
Some spells and abilities that instruct a player to blight refer to the “blighted creature.” This phrase refers to the object that the player who was instructed to blight chose to put -1/-1 counters on when blighting.
An ability that triggers whenever a player blights triggers after the process described in rule 701.68a is complete, regardless of what events actually occurred. (CR 701.68) 1. (Put a -1/-1
counterTo counter a spell or ability is to cancel it: remove it from the stack without resolving it. A counter on an object or player is instead a marker that changes characteristics or interacts with rules or abilities; for example, a +1/+1 counter modifies a creature’s power and toughness. (CR 701.6; 122.1) on a creature you control.)
Whenever a creature you control with one or more
countersTo counter a spell or ability is to cancel it: remove it from the stack without resolving it. A counter on an object or player is instead a marker that changes characteristics or interacts with rules or abilities; for example, a +1/+1 counter modifies a creature’s power and toughness. (CR 701.6; 122.1) on it
diesIs put into a graveyard from the battlefield. (CR 700.4),
exileTo exile an object, move it to the exile zone from wherever it is. See rule 406, “Exile.” (CR 701.13) that many cards from the top of your library. Until your next end step, you may
playTo play a land means to put it onto the battlefield from the zone it’s in (usually the hand). A player may play a land if they have priority, it’s the main phase of their turn, the stack is empty, and they haven’t played a land this turn. Playing a land is a special action (see rule 116), so it doesn’t use the stack; it simply happens. Putting a land onto the battlefield as the result of a spell or ability isn’t the same as playing a land. See rule 305, “Lands.”
To play a card means to play that card as a land or to cast that card as a spell, whichever is appropriate.
Some effects instruct a player to “play” with a certain aspect of the game changed, such as “Play with the top card of your library revealed.” “Play” in this sense means to play the Magic game.
Previously, the action of casting a spell, or casting a card as a spell, was referred to on cards as “playing” that spell or that card. Cards that were printed with that text have received errata in the Oracle card reference so they now refer to “casting” that spell or that card.
Previously, the action of using an activated ability was referred to on cards as “playing” that ability. Cards that were printed with that text have received errata in the Oracle card reference so they now refer to “activating” that ability. (CR 701.18) those cards.