What does enter the battlefield mean in magic?
Enter the battlefield refers to the act of putting a permanent onto the battlefield, or to an ability which is triggered when a permanent is put onto the battlefield, commonly abbreviated as ETB. This concept is crucial in the game of Magic: The Gathering, as it determines the timing and execution of various abilities and effects that are triggered when a card enters the battlefield.
Understanding the Battlefield
The battlefield is the zone in which permanents exist, previously known as the “in-play” zone, as defined in rule 403 of the Comprehensive Rules. To fully comprehend the concept of entering the battlefield, it’s essential to grasp the basics of the battlefield and how permanents interact with it.
Cast vs. Enter the Battlefield
The terms “cast” and “enter the battlefield” are often confused with each other, but they have distinct meanings. Casting a spell means to play it from your hand and pay its mana cost, whereas entering the battlefield refers to the moment a permanent is put onto the battlefield.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs provide additional insights and clarification on the concept of entering the battlefield:
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Q: Do spells enter the battlefield? A: Instants and sorceries do not enter the battlefield; instead, they resolve and go to the graveyard. Only permanents like creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and planeswalkers enter the battlefield.
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Q: Can you control a creature as it enters the battlefield? A: Yes, if a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you control it for the purposes of effects.
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Q: What happens if a creature would enter the battlefield and wasn’t cast? A: If a non-token creature would enter the battlefield and it wasn’t cast, it is exiled instead. If it would enter under an opponent’s control, it enters under your control instead.
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Q: Do sorceries enter the battlefield? A: No, sorceries are never put onto the battlefield; they take effect and then go to the graveyard.
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Q: What is an enter the battlefield ability? A: Enter the battlefield (ETB) effects are triggered abilities that occur when a permanent enters the battlefield, and the effect is put on the stack.
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Q: Does turning a creature face up count as entering the battlefield? A: No, turning a permanent face up doesn’t cause any enters-the-battlefield abilities to trigger because the permanent is already on the battlefield.
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Q: Can an aura enter the battlefield without being cast? A: Yes, an aura can enter the battlefield without being cast, and it will be attached to any permanent it could normally attach to, chosen by its controller.
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Q: What happens if an instant or sorcery would enter the battlefield? A: Instants and sorceries cannot enter the battlefield; if they would, they remain in their previous zone instead.
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Q: Is putting a card onto the battlefield the same as casting? A: No, putting a card onto the battlefield is different from casting it; you move the card into the battlefield zone without paying its mana cost.
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Q: How do battles work in Magic? A: Each battle enters the battlefield with defense counters equal to its defense value, indicating how much damage it can withstand.
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Q: What does leave the battlefield mean in MTG? A: A permanent “leaves the battlefield” when it’s moved from the battlefield to another zone or leaves the game because its owner leaves the game.
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Q: Is a permanent on the battlefield a spell? A: A permanent spell refers to a spell that will enter the battlefield as a permanent, such as artifacts, creatures, enchantments, or planeswalkers.
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Q: Can you respond to an enter the battlefield effect? A: Yes, when an enter the battlefield ability is triggered and put on the stack, all players can respond with instants and abilities.
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Q: Do mutate cards enter the battlefield? A: No, mutating a creature doesn’t trigger “enter the battlefield” effects because the creature was already on the battlefield.
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Q: Do created tokens enter the battlefield? A: Yes, tokens enter the battlefield under their owner’s control, as stated in rule 111.2 of the Comprehensive Rules.
By understanding the concept of entering the battlefield and the related FAQs, players can better navigate the game of Magic: The Gathering and utilize abilities and effects more effectively to outmaneuver their opponents.