Is an Aura Spell an Enchantment in Magic: The Gathering?

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Yes, an Aura spell is an Enchantment. More specifically, it’s an Enchantment with the subtype Aura. This is a crucial distinction in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) because it means that all Auras are Enchantments, but not all Enchantments are Auras. Think of it like squares and rectangles: all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares. Understanding this relationship is fundamental for both new and experienced players to correctly interpret card interactions and build effective decks.

Understanding the Aura-Enchantment Relationship

What is an Enchantment?

An Enchantment is one of the permanent card types in MTG. When cast, it resolves and enters the battlefield, remaining there until removed by a spell or ability. Enchantments represent persistent magical effects that influence the game. They come in various forms, providing a wide range of benefits and drawbacks, and can have powerful and lasting effects.

What is an Aura?

An Aura is a specific subtype of Enchantment. What sets Auras apart is their unique ability to “enchant” or attach to other permanents on the battlefield (like creatures, lands, or even other enchantments) or even a player. This attachment is defined by the “enchant” keyword ability. When cast, an Aura must target a legal permanent or player as defined by its “enchant” ability. This targeting aspect is one of the defining characteristics of Aura spells.

Aura Spells vs. Aura Permanents

It’s vital to differentiate between an Aura spell and an Aura permanent. When you cast an Aura card, it is a spell on the stack (the game’s holding area for spells and abilities waiting to resolve). While on the stack, the spell can be countered. Once the spell resolves, it becomes an Aura permanent attached to its target. As a permanent, it’s no longer a spell. It’s subject to different removal methods and interactions than it was as a spell. Only spells can be countered, not permanents.

Why the Distinction Matters

This distinction between Enchantments and Auras, and between Aura spells and Aura permanents, is essential for understanding how cards interact. Some cards specifically target “Enchantments,” affecting all Enchantments, including Auras. Other cards might specifically target “Auras,” only affecting those subtype of Enchantments. Furthermore, abilities that trigger when “you cast a spell” will trigger when you cast an Aura spell. Abilities that trigger when “an enchantment enters the battlefield” will trigger when an Aura enters the battlefield. Recognizing these differences is crucial for making informed decisions during gameplay and building efficient decks. This information can be invaluable for instructors looking to implement these mechanics into their curriculum. For educators, the Games Learning Society is an invaluable source for integrating games and learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aura Spells and Enchantments

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Aura spells and Enchantments in Magic: The Gathering:

1. Are all Enchantments Auras?

   No. While all Auras are Enchantments, not all Enchantments are Auras. There are other types of Enchantments like Global Enchantments (e.g., Planeswalkers) and Saga Enchantments, which do not attach to other permanents or players.

2. What happens if the target of an Aura spell becomes an illegal target while the spell is on the stack?

   If the Aura’s target becomes illegal (e.g., gains Hexproof or Shroud, or is destroyed), the Aura spell will be countered upon resolution and go to the graveyard. It will not enter the battlefield.

3. Can I cast an Aura spell targeting a creature with Shroud?

   No, not while the creature has Shroud. Shroud prevents the creature from being targeted by spells or abilities. Since Aura spells always target, you cannot target a creature with Shroud.

4. If I control an Aura attached to my opponent’s creature, who controls the Aura?

   You control the Aura, even though it’s attached to your opponent’s creature. Control of the Aura is independent of the control of the enchanted permanent.

5. What happens to an Aura if the enchanted creature dies?

   If the enchanted creature leaves the battlefield (dies, is exiled, returned to hand, etc.), the Aura is put into its owner’s graveyard. The Aura is “unattached” and has nowhere to exist, so it is sent to the graveyard as a state-based action.

6. Can I use Dispel Magic to counter an Aura attached to a creature?

   No. Dispel Magic only targets spells on the stack. An Aura attached to a creature is a permanent on the battlefield, not a spell.

7. Do Auras trigger Heroic abilities?

   Yes, casting an Aura spell that targets a creature with a Heroic ability will trigger that Heroic ability. Heroic triggers whenever you cast a spell that targets a creature with heroic.

8. Can Auras be countered?

   Yes, Aura spells can be countered while they are on the stack. Counterspell is a common spell to counter Aura spells.

9. Do Auras copy when I copy a creature?

   No. When you copy a creature, you generally do not copy Auras attached to it. The copy will typically only be a copy of the base creature card, unless otherwise specified.

10. Can I move an Aura from one creature to another?

    No, unless a specific card ability allows you to do so. Generally, once an Aura is attached to a creature, it remains attached until the creature leaves the battlefield or the Aura is removed.

11. Does giving a creature Hexproof remove existing Auras?

    No, giving a creature Hexproof does not remove existing Auras. Hexproof only prevents new spells or abilities from targeting the creature.

12. If I gain control of a creature enchanted with an Aura, do I also gain control of the Aura?

    No. Control of the Aura and control of the enchanted permanent are independent. The controller of the Aura remains the same.

13. How do Aura Curses work?

    Aura Curses target a player and inflict a negative effect on them. They function like any other Aura, but they only enchant players, not permanents. They remain attached to the player until removed or the player gains protection from the Curse’s color.

14. What is Rule 303.4g in the Magic: The Gathering rulebook?

    Rule 303.4g states that if an Aura is entering the battlefield and there is no legal object or player for it to enchant, the Aura remains in its current zone, unless that zone is the stack. In that case, the Aura is put into its owner’s graveyard instead of entering the battlefield. This often comes up with reanimation or flicker effects.

15. Are “Bodyguard” abilities Auras?

    Some older versions of “Bodyguard” abilities functioned similarly to Auras, but modern MTG does not use this term. The functionality has been replaced by other mechanics and effects. In modern MTG, keywords like “protect” or similar mechanics are used to describe effects that would have been previously handled by a Bodyguard-like Aura.

Understanding the nuances of Auras and Enchantments is essential for mastering Magic: The Gathering. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide and FAQ section have clarified the relationship between these card types and answered any lingering questions you may have had. Remember to utilize this knowledge to enhance your gameplay and deck-building strategies!