Dash
Dash is a keyword ability on permanents that allows the player to play the card for an alternative cost. When you pay its dash cost instead of paying its mana cost, the creature will have haste, so it can attack that turn. At the beginning of the next end step, you’ll return the creature from the battlefield to its owner’s hand.
From the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Edge of Eternities)
- 702.109. Dash
- 702.109a Dash represents three abilities: two static abilities that function while the card with dash is on the stack, one of which may create a delayed triggered ability, and a static ability that functions while the object with dash is on the battlefield. “Dash [cost]” means “You may cast this card by paying [cost] rather than its mana cost,” “If this spell’s dash cost was paid, return the permanent this spell becomes to its owner’s hand at the beginning of the next end step,” and “As long as this permanent’s dash cost was paid, it has haste.” Casting a spell for its dash cost follows the rules for paying alternative costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h.
History
Dash was introduced in Fate Reforged where it replaced Raid from Khans of Tarkir as the mechanic associated with the Mardu Horde.It also features in Dragons of Tarkir, associated with Clan Kolaghan. Without the keyword, the nonoptional concept was featured as early as Visions, on Viashino Sandstalker.
Dash in Practice
Dash is a mechanic that alternates costs and gives the creature Haste and returns to the hand at the end of turn depending on the board state it can be fruitful to be protected on hand but then it has to be cast every subsequent turn or remained benched on hand.
Its a particular ability to be taken into account into the mana curves of deck, sometimes in handy with a cheaper cost, or in the case of Ragavan remain untouched under the command zone or in hand.
