How are continuous effects applied in the game?

Continuous effects in Magic: The Gathering are applied continually and automatically as the game state changes. These effects alter the game environment by modifying characteristics of permanents, players, or other elements consistently until they are removed or modified by another effect. For example, if a creature receives a power boost or a change in abilities due to an enchantment or an ability, that effect remains in place and actively impacts the game without requiring further input from players.

This continual application ensures that the game operates smoothly and that players can rely on understanding how these effects interact at any given time during the game. The notion that effects are applied automatically reinforces the idea that they do not require ongoing attention from players; instead, they are simply part of the game's current state.

Other approaches, such as manually applying effects, would lead to inconsistencies and could create disputes over timing or the current state of the game. The idea that effects happen occasionally would not adequately capture how ongoing effects function; they are always "on" while their conditions are met. Similarly, random application during game phases would introduce chaos into the game, which goes against the structured and strategic nature of Magic: The Gathering. Thus, the concept of continuous and automatic application is fundamental to the smooth operation of the game's