Does Copying a Spell Count as Casting It? The Definitive Answer
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No, copying a spell does not count as casting a spell. This is a fundamental rule in card games like Magic: The Gathering and also applies conceptually in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, although the mechanics are different. A copied spell is a duplicate created by an effect, not an original spell being played from your hand or another zone.
Understanding the Nuances of Spell Copying
The crucial distinction lies in the origin of the spell. Casting involves taking a card (usually from your hand), putting it on the stack (in Magic: The Gathering), and paying its costs. This initiates a chain of events leading to the spell’s resolution. Copying, on the other hand, circumvents this process. An existing spell or card’s properties are replicated and placed directly onto the stack (or into effect, depending on the game).
In Magic: The Gathering, Rule 707.10 explicitly states that copying a spell is not the same as casting it. This has significant ramifications for interactions with other cards and abilities that trigger “when you cast a spell.” For instance, a creature with Prowess won’t get its +1/+1 bonus from a copied spell, nor will the Storm ability trigger again.
In Dungeons & Dragons, spell copying (specifically for Wizards adding spells to their spellbooks) is a process of learning and transcribing, not casting. The copied spell is not cast during the copying process, but later when the wizard uses it. The process may lead to the destruction of the source, such as a scroll. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the educational aspects of such games and the cognitive skills they foster.
D&D Spellbooks vs. Magic The Gathering Spells
The concept of “copying spells” takes on different meanings in different game systems. In D&D, a Wizard might copy a spell into their spellbook from a scroll. This doesn’t immediately cast the spell; rather, it allows the wizard to prepare and subsequently cast the spell from their spellbook at a later time. The actual casting follows the normal rules for spellcasting in D&D. This is entirely different from how copying works in Magic: The Gathering.
In Magic: The Gathering, when you “copy a spell,” you’re creating a duplicate of a spell that’s already on the stack. This copy goes directly onto the stack, ready to resolve. This is not casting from a hand or a zone.
The Stack in Magic: The Gathering
The Stack is a zone in Magic: The Gathering where spells and abilities wait to resolve. When you cast a spell, it goes onto the stack. Players can then respond to it with instants or abilities. Copied spells also go onto the stack, but they skip the “casting” step.
Targeting with Copying Spells
When copying a spell, you often have the option to choose new targets for the copy. This is a powerful effect, as it allows you to redirect damage, protect your creatures, or disrupt your opponent’s plans. However, the fundamental principle remains: you are not casting a new spell, just manipulating a pre-existing one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the difference between copying and casting a spell:
1. Do copied spells trigger cast triggers?
No. Cast triggers, like those on cards that say “when you cast a spell,” are only activated when a spell is actually cast, not when it is copied. The game recognizes the difference between initiating a spell and replicating it.
2. Does copying a spell trigger Storm?
No. The Storm ability specifically triggers when you cast a spell. Since copying a spell is not casting, it will not trigger Storm.
3. Does copying a spell trigger Prowess?
No. Prowess abilities trigger when you cast a noncreature spell. As copying is not casting, Prowess will not trigger.
4. Do copied spells trigger Rhystic Study?
No. Rhystic Study triggers when an opponent casts a spell. A copied spell is not cast, therefore Rhystic Study will not trigger.
5. Do copied spells trigger Heroic?
No. Heroic abilities trigger when you cast a spell that targets a creature with Heroic. Copying a spell and changing its targets does not trigger Heroic.
6. Do copied spells trigger Cascade?
No. Cascade triggers when you cast a spell from your hand. If you put a copy of a spell with cascade on the stack without casting it, cascade will not trigger.
7. If a kicked spell is copied, is the copy also kicked?
Yes. If the original spell was cast with its Kicker cost paid, the copy will also be considered “kicked.” This is because the copy inherits all the characteristics of the original spell at the time of copying.
8. Does Flashback count as casting a spell?
Yes. Flashback allows you to cast a spell from your graveyard by paying an alternative cost. It is still considered casting, and it will trigger any “when you cast” abilities.
9. Does using a wand in D&D count as casting a spell?
Yes. Using a wand to produce a magical effect is considered casting a spell in D&D, even if the mechanics are slightly different.
10. Are copies of spells cast from exile?
A spell being copied isn’t “cast from exile” simply because the original card that generated the copy might have been exiled. The copy itself is created on the stack and exists independently of the original card’s location.
11. If a spell is countered, does that mean it was never cast?
No, countering a spell doesn’t negate the fact that it was cast. The casting still happens; the spell simply has no effect due to being countered. Abilities that trigger “when you cast” will still trigger, even if the spell is subsequently countered.
12. When you copy a spell, do you “play” it?
No. The term “playing” a spell is often used informally, but technically you “cast” a spell. Copying a spell is not casting, therefore you do not “play” it.
13. Does copying a spell increase the storm count?
No. The storm count only increases when you cast a spell. Copying a spell is the result of an ability, not a casted spell.
14. Does copying a spellbook destroy it? (D&D)
When a spell is copied from a spell scroll into a spellbook in D&D, there’s a chance the scroll is destroyed. This doesn’t apply to copying the spell after it’s in the book, so this is a different game mechanic to be aware of.
15. Can you cast a spell as a bonus action and then copy a spell that turn?
Yes, you can. A copied spell does not have a casting cost so it won’t prevent you from casting a spell as a bonus action or prevent you from taking the cast action, it is a copy, not a new spell.
Conclusion
The distinction between copying and casting a spell is a vital concept in card and tabletop games. Understanding this difference is essential for correctly interpreting game rules and maximizing your strategic advantage. While the details may vary slightly between different games, the core principle remains the same: copying is replication, not initiation. The Games Learning Society, through its exploration of game mechanics and design, continues to shed light on these complex systems and the educational value they offer.