Vigilance — what does it mean?
This creature doesn't tap when it attacks, so it can still block.
Vigilance appears on 753 cards.
How does Vigilance work?
Normally a creature taps when you attack with it. With vigilance, it doesn't: it attacks and stays untapped. That means it's still ready to block on your opponent's turn. You don't have to choose between attacking and defending.
Vigilance only changes the tapping from attacking. A creature that's already tapped can't attack, vigilance or not. It also doesn't ignore summoning sickness: a creature that just came onto the battlefield still can't attack without haste. Abilities that trigger when the creature attacks trigger as usual.
Because the creature stays untapped, you can use one of its tap abilities after it attacks. It's still attacking and still deals combat damage. That cuts both ways: if your opponent taps your attacker during combat, it keeps attacking, but it stays tapped until your next untap step, so it can't block on their turn. Multiple instances of vigilance are redundant.
An example at the table
You and your opponent are both at 10. You have a 3/3 with vigilance; they have a 3/3 without it. You attack; they don't block and go to 7. Your 3/3 is still untapped. On their turn, their 3/3 attacks, but you can block with your 3/3, so it's a trade or they hold back. Without vigilance your 3/3 would've been tapped and they'd have hit you freely: you'd be at 7 too.
Cards with Vigilance
Sun TitanIllustration: Todd Lockwood
Loran of the Third PathIllustration: Steven Belledin
Enduring VitalityIllustration: Valera Lutfullina
Adeline, Resplendent CatharIllustration: Bryan Sola
Faeburrow ElderIllustration: Mark ZugCommon mistakes
- Thinking vigilance lets a tapped creature attack or untaps it. It only stops attacking from tapping the creature.
- Thinking vigilance gets around summoning sickness. That's what haste is for.
- Thinking an attacker leaves combat if you tap it for an ability after attacking. It keeps attacking and deals damage normally.
- Thinking a creature with vigilance can attack more often. It doesn't get an extra combat; it just stays untapped.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a creature with vigilance attack and then block?
- Yes, on your opponent's turn. It doesn't tap to attack, so it's untapped and ready to block.
- Can I use a tap ability of an attacking creature with vigilance?
- Yes. It keeps attacking and deals its combat damage.
- Does vigilance do anything when the creature blocks?
- No. Blocking doesn't tap a creature, so vigilance changes nothing there.
- Does vigilance protect against effects that tap my creature?
- No. Vigilance only stops tapping from attacking. If another effect taps the creature, it's tapped.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 702.20. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
FlyingTrampleLifelinkReachHaste
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Last updated: 26 October 2026