Do Copy Spells Count as Casting? Unpacking the Nuances of Magic: The Gathering
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer to the question, “Do copy spells count as casting?” is a definitive NO. While it might seem counterintuitive, copying a spell in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a distinct action from casting a spell, and understanding this difference is crucial for grasping many card interactions and strategies. The game’s rules meticulously differentiate between placing a card on the stack as a spell (casting) and creating a copy of an existing spell on the stack (copying).
Understanding the Core Difference: Casting vs. Copying
To truly understand why copied spells aren’t considered cast, we need to delve into what constitutes a “cast” spell in MTG. Casting a spell involves taking a card, typically from your hand, placing it on the stack, and paying its associated costs. This action is what triggers abilities like Storm or effects that rely on casting. It’s a fundamental action that initiates the sequence of resolving a card’s effect.
Copying a spell, on the other hand, is the act of creating a duplicate of a spell that is already on the stack. This duplicate is placed directly onto the stack, above the original spell (meaning it will resolve first), and no costs are paid for the copy. The copy does not originate from your hand or any other zone; it’s simply created as an effect of a spell or ability. Crucially, it is not a new casting event. Therefore, anything that triggers on “casting a spell” will not be triggered by copying a spell.
This distinction becomes critical when interacting with cards that care about specific actions. For example, a card with the Storm mechanic only triggers upon casting a spell, not copying it. While a copied spell with Storm will still retain its Storm ability (and produce copies), the act of copying it does not add to the storm count. Similarly, effects that punish players for casting spells won’t apply to players who are creating copies of spells.
Key Implications of Copying vs. Casting
The fact that copying spells is not the same as casting them has several notable implications:
- No Cost Payment: Copies of spells are created without the need to pay any mana costs or additional costs associated with the original spell.
- No Triggers: Abilities that trigger when a spell is cast (like Storm) do not trigger when a spell is copied.
- Order on the Stack: Copied spells are added above the original spell on the stack, meaning they resolve before it.
- No Card Movement: Copying a spell does not move a card from hand or any other zone; it creates a new entity directly on the stack.
Understanding the core difference between casting and copying is paramount to playing MTG effectively and accurately. It can determine the outcome of many complex card interactions and strategic plays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Copying Spells
To further clarify the topic, here are some frequently asked questions regarding the nuances of spell copying in MTG:
1. Does copying a spell trigger abilities that activate when you cast a spell?
No. Abilities that trigger upon casting a spell do not activate when you copy a spell. Copying a spell is an entirely separate game action. The copy is simply created on the stack, without ever having been “cast”.
2. If I copy a spell with Storm, will the copied spell have Storm?
Yes. The copied spell will have Storm, and when it resolves, it will create its copies, based on the number of spells cast before it, in the same way the original spell would. However, creating the copy does not add to the Storm count as copying is not a cast event.
3. Does Isochron Scepter count as casting a spell?
Yes, Isochron Scepter is a notable exception. The Oracle text of Isochron Scepter explicitly states that the copy of the imprinted card is cast. This is unique and allows the card to interact with effects that trigger upon casting spells.
4. If I use Mind’s Desire, are the cards I play from it considered cast?
Yes, any nonland cards played from exile using Mind’s Desire are considered cast, as the ability specifically instructs you to play them, and when a card says you can play a non-land, you cast it. However, the copy created by Mind’s Desire‘s own effect is not cast and therefore does not contribute to Storm.
5. If I copy a kicked spell, will the copy be kicked?
Yes. If the original spell was kicked, the copy of the spell will also be kicked. The “kickedness” is a property of the spell itself at the moment it is copied.
6. Does putting a card onto the battlefield count as casting a spell?
No. Placing a card directly onto the battlefield, either through an effect or ability, is entirely different from casting it. It bypasses the casting process. You do not pay costs, and no abilities that trigger on casting will be activated.
7. Does copying a spell trigger Cascade?
No. If you create a copy of a spell that has Cascade, the copied spell will not trigger Cascade again because the copy is not being cast. Cascade specifically triggers when you cast a spell.
8. Can a copy spell copy itself?
No. A copy spell cannot target itself to copy. A copy is not a card, so it cannot be a target for an effect that copies a spell.
9. If a spell is countered, is it still considered cast?
Yes. Even if a spell is countered, it has still been cast. The act of casting the spell happens before resolution, so it counts for triggers, even if the spell does not resolve.
10. Does flickering a creature count as casting it?
No. Flickering a creature returns it to the battlefield, but it is not being cast. The creature was already cast when it initially entered the battlefield. Flickering simply removes and returns the permanent.
11. Can you copy spells that are exiled?
No. While you can copy spells on the stack, and under certain circumstances, cast cards from exile, you cannot copy spells while they are in exile. You need to cast them (if the card allows) to put them on the stack before you can copy them.
12. Can you use a wand or spell scroll to copy spells?
Using a wand or spell scroll to cast a spell is not considered a copy event in Magic the Gathering. In fact, scrolls and wands are not in the game of Magic the Gathering, and are properties of Dungeons and Dragons. They do, however, share game-design philosophy when it comes to casting spells from items.
13. Does using a spell from a scroll count as me casting it?
In Dungeons and Dragons, Using a spell from a scroll does not count as you casting the spell. The spell is being used through the property of the scroll, not you as a caster.
14. Are tokens considered spells when they are created?
No. Tokens are not spells and are not ever cast. They are created directly on the battlefield by a spell or ability.
15. If a card allows you to play spells from the top of your library, do you cast them?
Yes. When a card says to “play” a spell from the top of your library, you are, in fact, casting it. This is unlike “putting a card onto the battlefield”, which bypasses casting.
Conclusion: Master the Distinction
The distinction between copying a spell and casting it is crucial to understanding the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering. While it might seem like a small difference, this differentiation impacts various card interactions and strategic plays. Knowing that copies of spells are not cast allows players to better utilize cards with Storm, understand why abilities triggered by casting spells won’t activate upon copying, and navigate complex board states. Grasping this distinction is an essential step to becoming a more proficient MTG player.