Is an Instant a Target Permanent in Magic: The Gathering?
The short and definitive answer is: No, an instant is not a target permanent in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Instants are a type of spell that, unlike permanents, do not remain on the battlefield after they resolve. This fundamental difference is crucial to understanding how they interact within the game. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and explore the related concepts that often confuse new and even seasoned players.
Understanding Permanents and Non-Permanents
What is a Permanent?
In MTG, a permanent is a card that, after being cast and resolving, stays on the battlefield. This includes:
- Lands: Basic lands and non-basic lands.
- Creatures: Minions, monsters, and other entities that can attack and block.
- Artifacts: Magical items, constructs, and equipment.
- Enchantments: Magical effects that remain in play.
- Planeswalkers: Powerful allies that can use special loyalty abilities.
- Battles: A unique card type that can be attacked.
- Tokens: Markers representing any permanent not represented by a physical card.
All of these card types share the common trait of remaining on the battlefield until they are removed or otherwise leave the game, whether by being destroyed, exiled, bounced, etc. They are, in essence, the consistent, tangible elements of a match of MTG.
What is a Non-Permanent?
Non-permanents, on the other hand, are card types that do not remain on the battlefield after they are cast and resolve. The primary examples of non-permanents are:
- Instants: Spells that can be cast at virtually any time.
- Sorceries: Spells that can only be cast during the caster’s main phase when the stack is empty.
When an instant or sorcery resolves, it is placed directly into its owner’s graveyard. They briefly exist on the stack as spells, but they do not become battlefield permanents.
Why The Distinction Matters
The distinction between permanents and non-permanents is vital because it determines how cards interact with each other. Many cards have text specifying that they target a permanent. For example, a card might say, “Destroy target permanent,” which means you can target any land, creature, artifact, enchantment, planeswalker, or battle. Since an instant is not a permanent, it cannot be targeted by cards that specifically target permanents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the topic, let’s address some commonly asked questions about instants, permanents, and related rules:
1. Are Instant Cards Considered Spells?
Yes, an instant card is considered a spell while it is on the stack before it resolves. Once it resolves, it is no longer a spell and moves to the graveyard.
2. Can Instant Cards Target Permanents?
Yes, instant cards can target permanents, but this is different from being a permanent itself. An instant card can affect permanents on the battlefield through its text, such as “Destroy target artifact” or “Deal 3 damage to target creature.”
3. What Happens After an Instant Resolves?
After an instant spell resolves, it is placed into its owner’s graveyard. It does not stay on the battlefield.
4. Can Instants be Countered?
Yes, instants can be countered by other spells and abilities that specifically target spells on the stack.
5. Can an Instant become a Permanent?
No, an instant will never become a permanent. Its nature is to be a one-time effect that goes to the graveyard. There are no in-game mechanics that transform an instant into a permanent.
6. What Types of Cards are considered Permanents?
The primary card types considered permanents are:
* Lands
* Creatures
* Artifacts
* Enchantments
* Planeswalkers
* Battles
* Tokens (if not lands)
7. Is a Token a Non-Land Permanent?
Yes, a token that is not a land is considered a non-land permanent once it is on the battlefield. If a token is a land, it is treated as a land permanent.
8. Is a Commander a Permanent?
A commander is a permanent on the battlefield if it is a card that is a creature or a planeswalker. If the effect refers to casting a commander, it is referring to the card as a spell on the stack.
9. Is an Enchantment a Permanent?
Yes, an enchantment is a permanent. Once it’s resolved, it will remain on the battlefield.
10. Is a Battle a Permanent?
Yes, a battle is considered a permanent while it is on the battlefield.
11. What Does “Phasing Out” Mean for a Target Permanent?
When a permanent phases out, it is treated as if it doesn’t exist until it phases back in during its controller’s next untap step. This is not the same as destroying or removing a permanent, it is temporarily taken out of play.
12. Are Emblems Permanents?
No, emblems are not permanents. While they exist in the command zone and impact the game, they do not go onto the battlefield and are not targeted by effects that target permanents.
13. Are Counters Considered Permanents?
No, counters on permanents are not themselves considered permanents. They are markers placed on permanents.
14. How Do Instants and Sorceries Differ?
The main difference between instants and sorceries is the timing restriction on when they can be cast. Sorceries can only be cast during the caster’s main phase while the stack is empty, while instants can be cast at any time, even on another player’s turn.
15. What Happens When a Copy of a Spell Resolves?
A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token once it resolves. However, a copy of an instant or sorcery spell resolves just like a normal version of the spell.
Conclusion
In summary, an instant is never considered a target permanent. Instants are spells that provide immediate effects and then go to the graveyard, while permanents remain on the battlefield after resolving. This distinction is crucial for understanding how spells and abilities interact within the rules of Magic: The Gathering. Recognizing the difference between these two card types is key to mastering the nuances of the game.