What it does
Coven is an ability word that checks whether you control three or more creatures with different powers at the moment a triggered or activated ability resolves (or as a condition on a static effect). If you have three creatures with powers of 2, 3, and 4, coven is active; if you have 1, 1, and 4, it isn't—two of them share a power.
The common mistake is thinking coven just counts creatures. It cares about distinct power values, not quantity. Tokens that are all 1/1s won't enable it on their own, and effects that change power (pump spells, counters, +1/+1 anthems that scale evenly) can accidentally turn coven off by making powers match.
In Commander, coven rewards going wide with varied creatures, and it pairs naturally with token-and-counter strategies. Just watch out for symmetrical anthems that flatten your power values right when you need coven online.
Iconic cards with Coven
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