Does Copying a Spell Count as Casting?
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The short answer is a resounding no. Copying a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability in games like Magic: The Gathering (MTG) and even conceptually in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) does not count as casting the spell. This distinction is critical because many abilities and effects in these games trigger specifically when a spell is cast, and those triggers will not activate when a spell is merely copied. A copy of a spell is created and put directly onto the stack (in MTG) or effectively enacted (in D&D) without going through the usual casting process.
Why Doesn’t Copying Count as Casting?
The key lies in the definition of “casting.” To cast a spell typically involves:
- Taking a card (in MTG) or spell description (in D&D) from a specific zone (usually your hand).
- Putting it onto the stack (MTG) or declaring its use (D&D).
- Paying its mana cost (MTG) or expending a spell slot (D&D).
- Choosing targets.
Copying bypasses these steps. A copying effect creates a duplicate of an existing spell on the stack and puts it there directly. Because the copied spell wasn’t taken from your hand, no costs were paid, and you simply create it via a copying ability, it circumvents the definition of casting.
This difference has major implications for gameplay. In MTG, this means that copying a spell won’t trigger abilities like Storm, Cascade, or enchantments like Rhystic Study or Swarm Intelligence. Similarly, it won’t trigger “when you cast” abilities on cards like Apex of Power or Approach of the Second Sun.
In D&D, while the mechanics are less explicitly defined, copying a spell through a magical item or a specific class feature likely wouldn’t trigger effects that require the spell to be “cast” in the traditional sense. For example, a Sorcerer using Metamagic to copy a spell likely wouldn’t trigger other effects that key off of actual spellcasting, depending on the specific wording of the ability used to create the copy.
The Stack and Copies (MTG)
In MTG, the stack is a zone where spells and abilities wait to resolve. When you cast a spell, it goes onto the stack. Players then have a chance to respond before the spell resolves. When a spell is copied, the copy goes directly onto the stack, above the original spell. This means the copy will resolve before the original, which is often strategically significant. It is also essential to note that copying a spell on the stack doesn’t count as casting the copied spell in order to trigger other card effects.
Understanding the Nuances
While the core principle is that copying isn’t casting, understanding the nuances is crucial for mastering these games. Let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to clarify the subject further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does copying a spell trigger abilities that care about “spells cast this turn”?
No. Since copying isn’t casting, it won’t trigger abilities that count the number of spells cast in a turn or provide bonuses based on casting spells.
2. If I copy a spell with Kicker, is the copy kicked?
Yes. If the original spell was kicked, the copy will also be kicked. Kicker status is a copiable characteristic of the spell.
3. Does copying a creature spell create a token?
Yes, but it doesn’t “create” the token in the way you might think. In MTG, 111.11 says: “A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token as it resolves. The token has the characteristics of the spell that became that token. The token is not ‘created’ for the purposes of any replacement effects or triggered abilities that refer to creating a token.”
4. If I copy a spell that was cast from exile, is the copy considered cast from exile?
No. The copy is not “cast” at all, so it cannot be considered “cast from exile.” The origin of the original spell’s casting doesn’t transfer to the copy.
5. Does copying a spell trigger Heroic?
No. Heroic abilities trigger when a player casts a spell that targets a creature with Heroic. Copying a spell doesn’t count as casting, so Heroic won’t trigger.
6. If a spell has Cascade and is copied, does the copy trigger Cascade?
No. Cascade triggers when you cast the spell with Cascade. Since copying is not casting, the copy won’t trigger Cascade.
7. Does copying a triggered ability trigger abilities that care about triggered abilities?
No, similar to spells, you must have an original triggering to start the effect. Creating a copy of an existing triggered ability does not count as creating another triggered ability.
8. If I cast a spell using an alternative casting cost, does copying it copy the alternative cost?
Yes, the copy will have the same characteristics as the original, including alternate casting costs.
9. Does a copied spell have the same targets as the original?
Yes, typically. Copy effects usually specify that the copy has the same targets as the original unless the copying effect allows you to choose new targets.
10. Does copying a spell copy modes chosen for the original spell?
Yes. If the original spell had modes chosen upon casting, the copy will have the same modes chosen.
11. Can I counter a copied spell?
Yes. A copied spell is still a spell on the stack and can be countered like any other spell.
12. If I copy a spell, does it matter where the original spell came from?
Not generally, unless the copying effect specifies otherwise. The source of the original spell (hand, graveyard, exile, etc.) is usually irrelevant to the copied spell.
13. In D&D, if I copy a spell from a scroll, do I still need to make an Arcana check?
That depends entirely on the specific rules governing the copying mechanism in your D&D game. Usually, copying a spell from a scroll still entails deciphering and understanding the magic involved, which typically necessitates an Arcana check. However, always refer to the Dungeon Master’s specific rules for your campaign.
14. If I copy a ritual spell, does the copy also take 10 minutes to cast in D&D?
Again, this depends on the exact mechanics of how you’re copying the spell in D&D. If you’re perfectly replicating the casting process, then yes, the copy would likely also take 10 minutes. However, if it’s an instantaneous copy created through a magical effect, it might bypass the ritual component.
15. What’s the best way to remember that copying isn’t casting?
Think of it this way: casting is the action of bringing a spell into existence and setting it in motion. Copying is just duplicating an existing spell that’s already in motion. The original action matters for cast triggers, but the copy is simply riding the wave. Consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) for more in-depth understanding of game mechanics and strategy.
Mastering the Game
Understanding the distinction between copying and casting is crucial for strategic play in MTG and for interpreting spell interactions in D&D. By remembering that copying bypasses the casting process, you can better anticipate how abilities will trigger (or not) and make informed decisions to maximize your gameplay effectiveness. It can also allow you to better understand how mechanics influence and impact learning, which the Games Learning Society advocates for.