If a card’s ability refers to its own name, that reference is only to itself and not to other copies of the card.
If a card copies or gains the text of another card, any self-referential text now refers to the creature gaining the text.
If an upgrade gives a creature an ability that refers to the upgrade’s own name, that reference is considered self-referential text. It refers only to that copy of the upgrade and not any other copies of the upgrade.
If a creature gains an ability that refers to that creature’s own name, that reference is considered self-referential text.
—KeyForge Master Rulebook v18.3, February 2026
Rulings
How does Creed of Nurture (WC 386) work when it is used to copy the ability of a creature with Self-referential text in its ability?
Any Self-referential text now refers to the creature gaining the text. For example, if you use Creed of Nurture to give Shorty's ability to Ghosthawk, Ghosthawk gains a Reap: ability that says "Enrage Ghosthawk".
Source: Rulebook
How does Creed of Nurture (WC 386) work when it is used to copy the ability of a creature with Self-referential text in its ability?
Any Self-referential text now refers to the creature gaining the text. For example, if you use Creed of Nurture to give Shorty's ability to Ghosthawk, Ghosthawk gains a Reap: ability that says "Enrage Ghosthawk".
Source: Rulebook
Is the “Destroyed:” ability a creature gains when it is upgraded with Armageddon Cloak (COTA 263), which refers to Armageddon Cloak itself, considered self-referential text?
If an upgrade gives the attached creature an ability that refers to the upgrade by name, the reference is only to that copy of the upgrade.
Source: Rulebook
Is the “Destroyed:” ability a creature gains when it is upgraded with Armageddon Cloak (COTA 263), which refers to Armageddon Cloak itself, considered self-referential text?
If an upgrade gives the attached creature an ability that refers to the upgrade by name, the reference is only to that copy of the upgrade.
Source: Rulebook