What it does
Renew isn't a standard MTG keyword—it's specific to certain Universes Beyond or special cards rather than a core evergreen ability, so check the exact card's reminder text. The most common version appears on Doctor Who's "Regenerate"-style mechanics or on cards like those from the Assassin's Creed set, where Renew lets you exile a card from your graveyard while it's there to add counters or grant a bonus, then it stays exiled.
The nuance players miss: Renew is typically an activated ability you use from the graveyard, and exiling the card is a cost, not an effect you can undo. Once renewed, that card is gone for good—you're trading future recursion for an immediate board boost.
In Commander, it matters most in counter-focused or graveyard decks, giving late-game fuel. Always read the specific card, since Renew's exact payoff varies by printing.
Iconic cards with Renew
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