What are Noncreature Spells?
Noncreature spells in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) refer to any spell that is not of the creature type, which means they can counter instants, sorceries, planeswalkers, enchantments (if they aren’t also of type creature), and artifacts (if they aren’t also of type creature). A noncreature spell can be any type of spell that doesn’t have creature in its card type, such as sorcery, instant, enchantment, or artifact, but it does not include lands as lands are not considered spells.
Understanding Noncreature Spells
Noncreature permanents are objects on the battlefield that aren’t creatures, which include artifacts, enchantments, lands, and planeswalkers, but if a permanent has multiple types including creature, for example, an artifact creature, it’s not a non-creature permanent. To understand what constitutes a noncreature spell, it’s essential to differentiate between the various card types in MTG and their characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Considered a Noncreature Spell?
Any spell that is not of the creature type is considered a noncreature spell, including sorceries, instants, enchantments, and artifacts that do not have creature in their card type.
2. Does a Land Count as a Noncreature Spell?
No, a land does not count as a noncreature spell because lands are not considered spells in MTG.
3. What is Considered a Non-Permanent in MTG?
Sorceries, instants, triggered abilities, and activated abilities that can never enter the battlefield are often called non-permanents, along with emblems and counters that are not considered permanents even when on the battlefield.
4. Does Deathtouch Cancel Deathtouch?
Yes, any two instances of the Deathtouch ability against one another cancel out the Deathtouch ability.
5. Are Planeswalkers Noncreature Permanents?
Yes, planeswalkers are permanents and not creatures, which means they can be considered noncreature permanents.
6. Are Vehicles Noncreature Spells?
Vehicles are artifacts, not creatures, and a vehicle that’s crewed won’t have any creature type, making them noncreature spells when cast.
7. What is the Difference Between a Spell and a Nonland Permanent?
A permanent card is a spell that stays on the battlefield when it’s cast, in contrast to non-permanent spells like instants and sorceries.
8. Does Playing a Land Count as a Spell?
No, playing a land is a special action and does not use the stack, so it is not considered a spell.
9. Does Copying a Spell Count as Casting?
No, copying a spell means putting a copy of it onto the stack, but it is not cast.
10. What Counts as a Spell in Magic?
Any type of card cast by a player, except for lands, counts as a spell in MTG.
11. Is an Ability a Noncreature Spell?
No, abilities are not spells and cannot be countered, nor do they trigger effects related to casting spells.
12. Are Artifacts Noncreature Spells?
Artifacts can be noncreature spells when they are cast, but once they are on the battlefield, they are permanents, not spells.
13. What are Myriad Spells?
Myriad is a keyword ability found on creatures that triggers when the creature attacks, creating token copies of that creature.
14. What is an Endless Spell?
An Endless Spell is a type of spell that, once cast, does not naturally dissipate and can last indefinitely.
15. Is a Sorcery a Permanent?
No, a sorcery is not a permanent; it is a type of non-permanent spell that resolves and then is put into the graveyard.