Do Copied Spells Trigger Prowess in Magic: The Gathering?
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The short and definitive answer is no, copied spells do not trigger prowess. Prowess is a triggered ability that activates specifically when you cast a noncreature spell. Since copying a spell doesn’t involve casting it (it’s simply being created on the stack by another spell or ability), the prowess trigger condition isn’t met. You’re merely replicating an existing spell, not actively playing it from a zone like your hand. This fundamental difference between casting and copying is key to understanding why prowess remains unaffected in these scenarios.
Understanding Prowess and Cast Triggers
What is Prowess?
Prowess is a triggered ability found on certain creatures in Magic: The Gathering. When you cast a noncreature spell, the creature with prowess gets +1/+1 until the end of the turn. It’s a straightforward mechanic that rewards you for playing a spell-heavy strategy.
What Constitutes “Casting” a Spell?
Casting a spell involves taking a card from your hand (or, in some cases, other zones like exile or the graveyard), paying its mana cost, putting it on the stack, choosing targets, and then allowing it to resolve (unless it’s countered). This is an active process initiated by the player.
Copying Spells: A Different Mechanism
Copying a spell is different. It doesn’t involve paying mana costs or drawing the card from any zone. Instead, another spell or ability (such as Twincast or Isochron Scepter) creates a copy of a spell already on the stack. This copy is then placed directly onto the stack, ready to resolve. Because the copy wasn’t “cast”, abilities that trigger upon casting aren’t activated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What card types trigger Prowess?
Any card that isn’t a creature or a land will trigger a creature with prowess once it’s cast. However, a non-creature card will only trigger prowess once, even if it has more than one non-creature type. For example, an enchantment artifact only activates one instance of prowess.
2. Do copies trigger “cast” abilities like Cascade?
No, copies of spells are not typically cast. They won’t trigger things like cascade or enchantments like Swarm Intelligence. They also won’t get the “bonus” effects on spells like Apex of Power or Approach of the Second Sun. Similarly, since a copy isn’t cast, no mana was spent to cast it.
3. Do copied spells trigger Heroic abilities?
Heroic abilities won’t trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell’s targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability. If the spell that caused heroic to be triggered is countered, heroic will still resolve.
4. Do copied spells trigger Storm?
A copy of a spell with storm will have storm, but copying the spell will not make storm trigger. Copying a spell is not the same as casting it. Storm is a Cast Trigger; It only Triggers when the Spell is Cast.
5. Do copied spells trigger Orvar, the Allforme?
If a spell/ability says to copy a spell, it doesn’t interact with Orvar, the Allforme as the copies aren’t considered “cast” for the purpose of any triggers that care.
6. Do copied spells trigger Guttersnipe?
Guttersnipe is concerned with spells on the stack, not the actual card, so any copies will trigger its ability as well.
7. Do copies trigger Magecraft?
If an effect creates a copy of an instant or sorcery spell, this will also cause the magecraft ability to trigger. If an effect creates multiple copies of an instant or sorcery spell, magecraft abilities trigger once for each copy created by the effect.
8. Do copies trigger Rhystic Study?
Rhystic Study triggers when a spell is cast. If a copy is made without being cast (as is more common) this will not trigger Rhystic Study.
9. Do copies have mana value (CMC)?
Yes, copies generally retain the mana value of the original spell. These rules apply regardless of whether a permanent copy is a token or a non-token card. Generally, if the mana cost is able to be copied, the mana value is copied also. If the mana value cannot be copied, the mana value of the copy is 0.
10. Does Replicate count as casting?
No, replicate doesn’t count as casting. If you cast a spell with replicate, that counts as casting the spell. Then if you pay the replicate cost multiple times, that makes multiple copies of the spell.
11. If a kicked spell is copied, is the copy also kicked?
Yes, if a kicked spell is copied, the copy is also kicked.
12. Can I copy Mutate spells?
Yes, when a mutate spell resolves, you copy that spell, and the things copied this way include the original’s target and the decision to pay the original’s mutate cost.
13. Does creating a copy have summoning sickness?
So, the answer depends. Is your token a copy of a non-creature permanent? Then summoning sickness doesn’t matter (it can tap immediately). If it’s a creature, then yes it has summoning sickness (can’t tap, can’t attack yet).
14. Can you miss a Prowess trigger?
Yes, you can miss the prowess trigger. If you do notice that your opponent missed the trigger, you can call a judge and they will give you the choice of whether you want to have the ability put onto the stack or not.
15. Where can I learn more about game rules and education?
You can explore various aspects of gaming, learning, and education at the Games Learning Society, found online at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org provides research, insights, and resources related to game-based learning and its impact on education and society.
In summary, while copying spells can be a powerful strategy in Magic: The Gathering, it’s important to remember that these copies are distinct from cast spells. This distinction affects many triggered abilities, including prowess, which specifically looks for the act of casting. Understanding these nuances can significantly improve your gameplay and strategic decision-making.