The Curious Case of the Returning Aura: A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering Mechanics
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So, an Aura has found its way back to the battlefield, eh? Welcome to one of the most fascinating corner cases in Magic: The Gathering. The short answer is: when an Aura returns to the battlefield without being cast, it must attach to a legal object if possible. If there isn’t a legal object to attach to, it goes to the graveyard. But that simple sentence hides a wealth of strategic implications and nuanced rulings. Let’s unravel this intricate mechanic, exploring the “hows” and “whys” of returning Auras.
Auras: More Than Just Enchantments
First, it’s crucial to remember what an Aura is. Auras are a subtype of enchantment permanents, distinguished by their ability to “enchant” other permanents (like creatures, lands, or even other enchantments) or even players. They modify the game state by granting abilities, boosting stats, or imposing restrictions. When you cast an Aura spell from your hand, you target the object or player you want to enchant.
However, the key difference arises when an Aura enters the battlefield by means other than being cast. This is where the rules surrounding returning Auras become relevant. Common ways for an Aura to return without being cast include:
- Returning from exile: Effects like Ixalan’s Binding exile permanents and then return them to the battlefield.
- Blinking/Flickering: Spells like Flicker exile a permanent and immediately return it to the battlefield.
- Reanimation: Some effects can bring Auras back from the graveyard.
- Token Creation: Some spells might create aura tokens that are put directly onto the battlefield.
No Targeting Required (Usually)
The crucial point to understand is that when an Aura enters the battlefield without being cast, it doesn’t target. Instead, you choose a legal object or player to attach it to. This is a critical distinction because it bypasses effects that protect from targeting, such as hexproof or shroud.
The game mechanics work as follows:
- Aura Returns: The Aura enters the battlefield unattached.
- Legality Check: The game checks for a legal permanent or player that the Aura could enchant, based on the Aura’s “Enchant [Object]” ability.
- Choice: If a legal target exists, you must choose one. You don’t get to choose “nothing.” The Aura attempts to attach to your chosen target.
- Attachment: The Aura becomes attached to the chosen permanent or player.
- Graveyard Bound: If no legal target exists, the Aura immediately goes to the graveyard as a state-based action.
- The chosen target cannot be protected from targeting.
Important Considerations
- “Enchant [Object]” Ability: The Aura’s “Enchant [Object]” ability is the most crucial factor. An Aura that says “Enchant Creature” can only be attached to creatures. An Aura that says “Enchant Player” can only be attached to a player.
- Aura’s Controller: You, the player returning the Aura, control it.
- State-Based Actions: The game checks for illegal Aura attachments as a state-based action. This means it happens automatically and immediately without using the stack.
Strategic Implications
This mechanic has significant strategic implications:
- Bypassing Protection: As mentioned, you can attach an Aura to a creature with hexproof or shroud when returning it to the battlefield, since you aren’t targeting.
- Forcing Attachments: Sometimes, you might be forced to attach an Aura to an opponent’s permanent if it’s the only legal target. This can be beneficial if the Aura has a negative effect.
- Aura Voltron: In strategies that revolve around stacking multiple Auras on a single creature (often referred to as “Aura Voltron”), returning Auras can be a powerful way to recover from removal spells.
- Sacrifice Outlets: Some strategies use an Aura to enchant an opponent’s creature, then use a sacrifice outlet to get rid of it. Then use a reanimation effect to play the Aura back onto the battlefield.
Rules Deep Dive
Delving into the Comprehensive Rules clarifies several points:
- 303.4f: “If an Aura is entering the battlefield under a player’s control by any means other than being cast, and the effect putting it onto the battlefield doesn’t specify the object or player the Aura will enchant, that player chooses what it will enchant as it enters the battlefield. The chosen recipient must be legal as defined by the Aura’s enchant ability and any other applicable effects.”
- 303.4c: “If an Aura is enchanting an illegal object or player as defined by its enchant ability and other applicable effects, the object it was attached to no longer exists, or the player it was attached to has left the game, the Aura is put into its owner’s graveyard. (This is a state-based action. See rule 704.)”
Why This Matters
Understanding this Aura mechanic is crucial for several reasons:
- Competitive Play: In competitive Magic, knowing the intricacies of the rules can be the difference between winning and losing. This knowledge empowers players to make the correct plays and to recognize and capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes.
- Deckbuilding: This information affects deck construction and how you build your sideboard.
- Avoiding Misplays: Knowing the rules prevents misplays and ensures fair gameplay, whether at the kitchen table or in a tournament.
- Appreciating the Design: A thorough understanding of the rules helps you appreciate the complexity and nuance of Magic: The Gathering’s game design.
FAQs: Aura Edition
Here are some frequently asked questions to further solidify your understanding of Auras:
1. Does giving hexproof remove auras?
No. Hexproof only prevents targeting. Auras that are already attached remain attached. Only effects that remove enchantments will get rid of existing Auras.
2. Can a creature have multiple auras?
Yes, unless an effect specifically prevents it. There is no inherent limit to the number of Auras a creature can have.
3. What happens when an Aura becomes a creature?
An Aura that becomes a creature detaches from whatever it was enchanting. It remains on the battlefield as a creature.
4. Do Auras fall off with phasing?
No, Auras stay attached through phasing. The permanent is treated as though it still exists on the battlefield.
5. Is Necromancy an Aura?
Necromancy enters as an enchantment, then its triggered ability makes it an Aura. It follows all the rules for Auras from that point on.
6. Do Auras fall off with hexproof?
No. Gaining hexproof does not remove Auras, because they are already on the battlefield.
7. What happens when the enchanted creature dies?
The Aura loses its legal target and goes to the graveyard.
8. Can an Aura enchant a creature with shroud?
You can’t cast an Aura targeting a creature with shroud. However, if the Aura enters the battlefield without being cast, it can attach to a creature with shroud.
9. Do enchantment Auras get destroyed?
Auras go to the graveyard if the enchanted object is destroyed, exiled, or otherwise removed from play, or if the object becomes an illegal target.
10. Do Auras fall off when you regenerate?
No, regeneration prevents the creature from being destroyed, so Auras remain attached.
11. Is an enchantment Aura a permanent?
Yes, Auras are a type of enchantment, which is one of the permanent types in Magic.
12. Do regenerated creatures hit the graveyard?
Regeneration replaces the destruction event. The creature doesn’t go to the graveyard in that instance, so auras will not be removed.
13. Do Auras leave the battlefield?
Yes, Auras leave the battlefield when the permanent they’re attached to leaves the battlefield, or when they become attached to an illegal object.
14. Does return to battlefield cause summoning sickness?
Summoning sickness applies to creatures entering the battlefield. If an Aura becomes a creature, it might be subject to summoning sickness unless it has haste or you’ve controlled it since the beginning of your turn.
15. What is the rule 303 in Magic: The Gathering?
Rule 303 covers enchantments, including Auras. It outlines how they are cast and attached.
Wrapping Up
The interaction of Auras and the battlefield offers a fascinating insight into the comprehensive rules of Magic: The Gathering. Whether you’re a casual player or a competitive mage, mastering these nuances will undoubtedly enhance your gameplay. So, next time an Aura waltzes back onto the battlefield uninvited, you’ll be ready to make the most strategic choice.
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