Do Enchantments Stay on the Battlefield? A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering’s Persistent Spells
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Yes, enchantments do stay on the battlefield, generally. They are a type of permanent in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), meaning that once successfully cast and resolved, they remain in play until removed by another effect or a game rule. Think of them as persistent magical effects that shape the game state. However, like all rules in Magic, there are nuances and exceptions. Let’s delve into the world of enchantments to understand their staying power and the circumstances under which they might disappear.
Understanding Enchantments
Enchantments represent lasting magical influences on the game. They’re cast like any other spell, by paying their mana cost during your main phase when the stack is empty. Once they resolve, they enter the battlefield and remain there, affecting the game as described on the card. This can range from granting bonuses to your creatures, hindering your opponent, or modifying the fundamental rules of the game. The longevity of enchantments makes them a powerful card type.
Aura Enchantments: A Special Case
Auras are a subtype of enchantment that specifically target a permanent or player. When you cast an Aura, it enters the battlefield attached to the designated target. An Aura’s effect is typically tied to the permanent it’s enchanting. Auras differ from other enchantments due to their dependency on their target.
Global Enchantments
Some enchantments are called “global enchantments”, because they affect both players.
How Enchantments Leave the Battlefield
While enchantments are designed to be persistent, they aren’t invincible. Several scenarios can lead to an enchantment leaving the battlefield and being sent to the graveyard:
- Destruction: Effects that specifically destroy enchantments, such as the classic spell “Disenchant”, will send the targeted enchantment to the graveyard.
- Exile: Spells or abilities that exile permanents will remove the enchantment from the battlefield.
- Bouncing: Some spells return permanents to their owner’s hand. Enchantments can be returned to hand by these spells, and need to be recast to return to the battlefield.
- State-Based Actions: Auras are particularly vulnerable to state-based actions. If an Aura’s target leaves the battlefield, becomes an illegal target (e.g., gains protection from enchantments), or the Aura itself becomes illegally attached, the Aura is put into its owner’s graveyard.
- Player Leaving the Game: When a player leaves the game, all permanents they own, including enchantments, are removed from the game.
- Sacrifice: Some effects require you to sacrifice a permanent. You can sacrifice an enchantment to fulfill such requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Enchantments
Here are some common questions about enchantments, their behavior, and their interactions with other card types in Magic: The Gathering:
1. Are enchantments considered permanents?
Yes, enchantments are a card type that falls under the umbrella of permanents. This means they enter the battlefield and, unless removed, remain there for the duration of the game.
2. Do enchantments go to the graveyard when the enchanted creature dies?
This depends on whether the enchantment is an Aura. Non-Aura enchantments remain on the battlefield even if creatures die. However, if the enchantment is an Aura attached to a creature, it will be put into its owner’s graveyard when the creature dies because it no longer has a legal target.
3. What happens to an enchantment if the creature it’s enchanting is exiled?
If a creature enchanted by an Aura is exiled, the Aura is put into its owner’s graveyard. The act of exiling removes the creature from the battlefield, causing the Aura to lose its target.
4. Can I enchant my opponent’s creatures?
Yes, you can enchant your opponent’s creatures unless the enchantment specifically states that you can only enchant creatures you control. Many Auras are designed to target any creature on the battlefield, allowing for strategic plays against your opponent.
5. Can an enchantment be countered?
Yes, enchantments are spells when they are cast and can be countered by any spell or ability that can counter spells. Common counterspells like “Counterspell” or “Negate” can prevent an enchantment from resolving and entering the battlefield.
6. Do enchantments trigger “enters the battlefield” effects?
Yes, when an enchantment enters the battlefield, it triggers any abilities that trigger upon a permanent entering the battlefield. This can include abilities on creatures, other enchantments, or even triggered abilities on lands.
7. What happens to an enchantment when a player dies?
When a player leaves the game, all objects they own are removed from the game. This includes any enchantments they control on the battlefield, which are then put into their owner’s graveyard before being removed from the game.
8. Can I attach multiple Auras to the same creature?
Yes, you can attach multiple Auras to the same creature, as long as each Aura has a valid target and there are no restrictions preventing multiple enchantments on the same permanent (such as the Legendary rule applying to Auras).
9. Does gaining Shroud or Hexproof remove existing enchantments?
No. A creature gaining Shroud or Hexproof only prevents new spells and abilities from targeting it. Existing enchantments remain attached and continue to affect the creature.
10. Can enchantments be equipped?
No, enchantments cannot be equipped. Equipment is a specific type of artifact that attaches to creatures and provides bonuses. Enchantments, specifically Auras, are the permanent type that attach to creatures.
11. What happens if an enchantment is attached to an illegal target?
If an Aura is attached to an illegal target, it is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. This can happen if the target gains protection from enchantments or otherwise becomes an invalid target for the Aura.
12. Do enchantments have summoning sickness?
No, enchantments do not have summoning sickness. Only creatures are affected by summoning sickness, meaning they cannot attack or use abilities that require tapping on the turn they enter the battlefield unless they have haste.
13. What is an enchantment creature?
An enchantment creature is a card that is both an enchantment and a creature. This means it is affected by anything that affects either type. For instance, it can be targeted by creature removal spells and enchantment removal spells.
14. Can I blink a creature to remove enchantments?
Yes, blinking a creature (exiling it and then immediately returning it to the battlefield) will cause any Auras attached to it to be put into their owner’s graveyard. This is because the blinked creature is considered a new game object upon its return, and the Auras lose their target.
15. How do triggered abilities on enchantments work?
Triggered abilities on enchantments, identified by the words “when,” “whenever,” or “at,” trigger when the specified event occurs. These triggers can range from drawing cards when another enchantment enters the battlefield to dealing damage when a creature attacks. These abilities provide value and often drive enchantment-based strategies.
Conclusion
Enchantments are a versatile and powerful card type in Magic: The Gathering, adding layers of complexity and strategic depth to the game. Understanding how they stay on the battlefield, the conditions under which they leave, and their interactions with other card types is crucial for any player looking to master the intricacies of MTG. To further enhance your understanding of games and their profound educational implications, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society, accessible through GamesLearningSociety.org.