Does milling count as discarding MTG?

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Does milling count as discarding MTG

Does Milling Count as Discarding MTG?

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Milling does not count as discarding in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), as milling refers to the act of putting cards directly from a player’s library into their graveyard, whereas discarding specifically means moving a card from a player’s hand to their graveyard. The distinction between these two terms is crucial in understanding the nuances of MTG gameplay, as different rules and effects apply to milling and discarding, making them distinct mechanics in the game.

Understanding Milling and Discarding

To delve deeper into the differences and intricacies of milling and discarding, as well as other related concepts, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about these mechanics in MTG.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What counts as discarding a card in MTG?
  • To move a card from its owner’s hand to that player’s graveyard. See rule 701.8, “Discard.”
  1. Is milling considered drawing?
  • No, milling is not considered drawing. The only things that count as drawing a card are the turn-based action that causes you to draw a card at the start of your draw step.
  1. What happens if you mill an empty library?
  • If a player’s library is empty, the effect of milling does nothing. That player doesn’t lose the game until they try to draw a card and can’t.
  1. Does exiling a card count as discarding?
  • No, exiling a card is not the same as discarding. Exiling moves a card to the exile zone, not the graveyard.
  1. Does sacrificing count as discarding?
  • While both sacrificing and discarding result in a card leaving the battlefield or hand, they are not the same. Sacrificing is a specific action that can be taken with creatures on the battlefield.
  1. Is put into graveyard the same as discard?
  • No, putting a card into the graveyard is not the same as discarding. Discard is a keyworded action that specifically refers to moving a card from the hand to the graveyard.
  1. What is the best mill card in MTG?
  • Cards like Consuming Aberration, Maddening Cacophony, and Phenax, God of Deception are considered powerful mill cards, each offering unique benefits in a mill deck.
  1. Does traumatize count as mill MTG?
  • Yes, Traumatize is a spell that mills the top half of a player’s library, rounded down, making it a mill effect.
  1. Is cycling discarding MTG?
  • Yes, cycling involves discarding a card from your hand as a cost to activate the cycling ability.

  1. How does MTG milling work?

    • Milling involves putting cards directly from a player’s library into their graveyard, usually to eventually run out of cards to draw.

  2. Can you discard a skip card to go out in Phase 10?

    • A skip cannot be the last card discarded by a player to win a hand, as it has a specific function that prevents this.

  3. Are cards milled one at a time?

    • Milling effects can mill a certain number of cards at once or until a specific condition is met, such as milling a land card.

  4. Does dying count as discarding in magic?

    • No, dying refers to creatures being put into the graveyard from the battlefield, which is not the same as discarding from the hand.

  5. Is discarding the same as destroying MTG?

    • No, discarding refers to moving a card from the hand to the graveyard, whereas destroying refers to putting a card from the battlefield to the graveyard.

  6. Does exiling count as dying?

    • No, exiling a creature or planeswalker does not cause it to die, as it does not go to the graveyard but to the exile zone instead.

By understanding the nuances of milling and discarding, as well as other related concepts like exiling, sacrificing, and destroying, players can better navigate the complex landscape of Magic: The Gathering and make more informed strategic decisions during gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, grasping these distinct mechanics is key to enhancing your overall MTG experience.

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