How Does Storm Work in MTG?
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The storm ability in Magic: The Gathering is a powerful mechanic that can quickly overwhelm opponents if used effectively. In essence, storm creates copies of a spell when it is cast, for each other spell that was cast earlier in the same turn. This means that the more spells you cast before a spell with storm, the more copies of that storm spell will be created. This ability has the potential to create game-winning scenarios and is often the core of powerful combo decks.
Understanding the Storm Mechanic
At its heart, storm is a triggered ability. This means it doesn’t activate automatically; it waits for a specific event (a spell with storm being cast) to occur and then activates in response. When a spell with storm is cast, the storm ability triggers and is put on the stack. It doesn’t immediately make the copies. Once on the stack, the trigger then goes to resolve, which creates copies of the spell based on the current number of spells cast earlier that turn. These copies, like the original, go onto the stack and must be resolved. This resolution order is key to understanding how storm works.
Casting & Copies
The original storm spell is cast, and as part of the resolution of casting that spell, storm is triggered. This trigger will count all spells that have been cast that turn (including opponent’s spells). Then the copies are put on the stack, allowing you to choose targets for each copy. Importantly, these copies aren’t “cast”; they are put onto the stack. This distinction is crucial because it means that:
- Copies don’t trigger storm: The copies generated by storm do not generate more copies themselves.
- Copies do not increase the storm count for any subsequent storm spells.
The Power of Storm
The true power of storm lies in its potential to rapidly create a large number of spells in one turn. Decks built around storm typically focus on casting several cheap, often mana-producing spells to build a high “storm count” before casting a devastating finisher spell with storm. These cheap spells are crucial for maximizing the copies made by the storm trigger.
Strategic Considerations
Timing is essential with storm. Because the storm trigger counts all spells cast that turn, not just your own, it’s often best to use the storm mechanic after your opponents have been active. If your opponent casts a handful of spells on their turn, and you cast your storm spell afterwards, that spell’s trigger will create more copies than if you had gone before them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Storm
Here are some common questions about the storm mechanic that will clarify how it functions and how to interact with it:
1. Does storm count opponents’ spells?
Yes, a crucial aspect of storm is that it counts every spell cast that turn, not just your own. If an opponent casts several spells, those will increase the number of copies generated by a storm spell you cast after them.
2. Can you respond to the storm ability?
Absolutely. Because storm is a triggered ability, it goes on the stack and can be responded to. A spell like Stifle can counter the storm trigger itself, preventing the copies from being created, making it an important counter to any storm-based strategies.
3. Does storm trigger itself?
No, the storm spell does not count itself when determining the number of copies to create. Storm counts spells cast before it in the current turn, so the first storm spell you cast on any given turn will not create copies.
4. What happens if you copy a spell with storm?
While a copy of a spell with storm will itself have the storm ability printed on it, copying a spell does not cause it to trigger. The storm ability only triggers when a spell with the storm ability is cast. This means that creating copies of a storm spell through other means doesn’t give you extra copies through the storm ability.
5. Does copying a spell increase the storm count?
No. Only casting a spell increases the storm count. Putting a copy of a spell onto the stack does not count towards the storm count. For example, if you cast a spell with storm after using a card like Reverberate to copy another spell, only the original spell and your storm spell will add to the storm count.
6. Can you Stifle a storm trigger?
Yes. You can target the storm trigger with Stifle or similar effects. This will counter the storm ability entirely, preventing any copies from being made and leaving just the original spell on the stack.
7. Does Fury Storm copy itself?
Fury Storm in Commander is a unique case. When you cast Fury Storm, its storm ability specifically copies it for each time you have cast your commander from the command zone this game, and then it targets the original Fury Storm. This means the copies will also target the original spell, which has some unique interplay with other commander-specific abilities (like Kalamax).
8. Does storm trigger Kalamax?
Yes, a spell with storm will trigger Kalamax’s ability, if you’ve already cast your commander at least once from the command zone this game. When the copied storm targets the original storm spell, it will trigger Kalamax to give the copy of the storm counters, making this a dangerous combination that can quickly make your spell powerful.
9. Does Eye of the Storm cast spells?
Yes, Eye of the Storm allows you to choose and cast spells during the resolution of its trigger. This means that the spells are cast when Eye of the Storm resolves, rather than in response to its trigger.
10. How does Rooftop Storm work with storm decks?
While Rooftop Storm is an effective way to cast Zombies, it does not directly synergize with most storm decks. It simply allows you to cast Zombie spells for free but does not effect spells with storm directly.
11. Do the spells cast by Mind’s Desire count towards the storm count?
No, the copies created from Mind’s Desire are not themselves cast. However, any nonland cards you play off of Mind’s Desire are cast and will increase your storm count.
12. Do copied spells trigger cascade?
No, copies of spells don’t trigger cascade. Cascade triggers only when you cast a spell from your hand or specific other zones.
13. If a spell is copied, are additional costs like kicker copied?
If a kicked spell is copied, the copy will also be kicked. The copy will have all of the effects of the original, including any additional costs, such as Kicker.
14. Do spell copies trigger enters-the-battlefield effects?
Yes, if the copied spell resolves and puts a permanent onto the battlefield, any enters-the-battlefield (ETB) abilities will trigger. This can lead to additional powerful interactions.
15. Do storm copies count towards the storm count?
No. Storm copies are not “cast,” and therefore do not increase the storm count, and won’t trigger the storm ability on a subsequent storm spell. They are simply put on the stack as copies.
Conclusion
The storm mechanic is a powerful tool in Magic: The Gathering, capable of generating explosive turns that can win games. Understanding the nuances of how storm works, its triggered nature, and how it interacts with other card mechanics is crucial for both utilizing it effectively and defending against it. The more you understand it, the more strategic and exciting your matches can become.