Skills are specific set of keyword abilities (bolded text referring to larger effects).

Skills are differentiated from other keywords in that they can appear on a unit with no other text. For example, a unit can have the Flying or Warp skills as stand-alone keywords, but cannot have Infiltrate or Stun without some additional context. Note that some skills can appear as stand-alone on spells (e.g. Lifesteal, Echo) while other cannot (e.g. Ambush, Berserk).

Like all keywords, hovering over cards with skills will display a box explaining what they do.

Battle Skills Edit

Battle skills are skills that would have an effect if a Unit that has it is in play:

When this attacks, you may give it Reckless to attack a second time this turn. Can only be used once.
Can attack the turn it is played.
Kills any unit it damages.
Double Damage:
Deals double damage.
When this unit dies, play a weapon with its Icon atk/Icon hp and other battle skills on one of your units.
Can only be blocked by other units with flying.
May be exhausted one time to attack any enemy unit.
When this deals damage, you gain that much Icon hp.
When this hits an enemy unit, leftover damage is dealt to the enemy player.
When this kills a blocking unit, the blocker doesn't deal damage back.
This must attack.
Cannot be blocked.

Other Skills Edit

These other skills are not battle skills, as their effects are relevant while not in play:

When played, you may exhaust another unit of the same type to reduce this card’s cost by the exhausted unit’s Icon atk.
Automatically play when drawn, then draw another card.
Get an additional copy when drawn.
This card can't leave the void.
You can play this from the top of your deck.

Notes Edit

Skills are defined in the Eternal Rulebook [1] as "bolded terms with no additional text." However, there are some cards which use different sets of skills for their effects.

As of Defiance, there are only two cards that reference "skills" as opposed to "battle skills" - Divining Rod and Crown of Possibilities. Divining Rod refers to all of the skills listed on this page, while Crown of Possibilities will never give Pledge, Voidbound, or Warp.

Related Cards Edit


  1. DWD - Eternal Advanced Rules (May 03, 2019)