Cursed Totem
Activated abilities of creatures can't be activated.
Rulings (5)
Jun 8, 2016 · Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.
Jun 18, 2021 · Cursed Totem doesn't stop players from activating abilities of creature cards that aren't on the battlefield, such as cycling or unearth.
Jun 18, 2021 · Other abilities of creatures, including static abilities and triggered abilities, are unaffected.
Jun 18, 2021 · Cursed Totem stops players from activating mana abilities of creatures.
Jun 18, 2021 · Activated abilities of noncreature permanents that would make them become creatures (such as a Vehicle's crew ability) can still be activated. Once they become creatures, any abilities they have cannot be activated.
Where it’s played now
Inclusion by archetype
| Archetype | Format | Inclusion | Copies | Decks (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern | Modern | 100% | 1–2× | 8 |
| 4-Color Oath | Premodern | 100% | 1× | 1 |
| Iron Man, Titan of Innovation | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 1 |
| Nezahal, Primal Tide | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 1 |
| Niv-Mizzet, Parun | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 1 |
| Tivit, Seller of Secrets | cEDH | 100% | 1× | 1 |
| Bant Oath | Premodern | 68.8% | 2× | 16 |
| Selesnya Oath | Premodern | 65.2% | 1–2× | 23 |