I just got a second booster box of Modern Horizons and one of the cards is Nimble Mongoose. I read the card and it makes no sense to me. It has shroud, but it also has an ability that states "Nimble Mongoose gets +2/+2 as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard." This would make sense to me if it was hexproof, but because shroud prevents any spells or abilities targeting the creature, I don't get how it's ability can affect it. I'm not specifically choosing to target the creature, but NM's ability clearly states it only affects NM, meaning it's targeting it. Can someone explain this to me?
There is no "target" in "Nimble Mongoose gets +2/+2 as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard." (or any other static ability). Therefore, the shroud ability doesn't even try to interfere with it.
115.10. Spells and abilities can affect objects and players they don’t target. In general, those objects and players aren’t chosen until the spell or ability resolves. See rule 608, “Resolving Spells and Abilities.”
115.10a Just because an object or player is being affected by a spell or ability doesn’t make that object or player a target of that spell or ability. Unless that object or player is identified by the word “target” in the text of that spell or ability, or the rule for that keyword ability, it’s not a target.
702.18. Shroud
702.18a Shroud is a static ability. “Shroud” means “This permanent or player can’t be the target of spells or abilities.”
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Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
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Nimble Mongoose Question