Enter the Battlefield vs. Comes into Play: A Comprehensive Guide for Magic: The Gathering

The seemingly simple act of bringing a card into the game of Magic: The Gathering can be surprisingly complex. Two phrases often come up in discussion: “enter the battlefield” and “comes into play.” While these terms might seem interchangeable, they represent a shift in the game’s rules and terminology. So, what’s the difference? The short answer is: There is no functional difference anymore; “comes into play” is an outdated term. The term “enters the battlefield” is the current, correct terminology in Magic: The Gathering and has been since the Magic 2010 rules update. All instances of “comes into play” have been replaced with “enters the battlefield” in the official Oracle text of every card. Understanding this is crucial for playing the game accurately and effectively. This change wasn’t just cosmetic; it standardized the rules language, creating more clarity and consistency.

Understanding the Terminology Shift

Before 2010, the phrase “comes into play” was used to describe when a permanent—a creature, artifact, enchantment, planeswalker, or land—moved from a zone (like your hand, graveyard, or exile) onto the battlefield, the central play area in Magic. This term, however, was ambiguous, leading to some confusion about which actions triggered certain effects.

With the Magic 2010 rules change, the terminology was refined. The phrase “enters the battlefield” was introduced to replace “comes into play.” This updated terminology aimed to eliminate ambiguity and create a more consistent language for all card text and rules interactions. The change is retrospective, meaning all older cards that used “comes into play” now have the updated “enters the battlefield” phrasing in their official Oracle text.

Why the Change?

The switch was made to improve clarity and reduce confusion. The term “comes into play” felt a bit vague. Did it mean playing the card or moving it onto the battlefield regardless of how it got there? The new phrasing, “enters the battlefield,” explicitly describes the action of a permanent moving into the play area, regardless of how it got there – casting a spell, an effect, etc. This eliminates the possibility of misunderstanding and aligns with the fundamental rules. It provides a unified trigger across various game actions, making it easier to understand how card abilities work.

Implications of “Enters the Battlefield”

The term “enters the battlefield” is associated with a concept known as “enter the battlefield” or ETB effects. These are triggered abilities that activate when a permanent enters the battlefield. This trigger is crucial because it can trigger a myriad of other abilities on the battlefield. These triggers are often the main function of several key cards in any format.

Common Examples of ETB Triggers:

• Damage or destruction: Creatures with abilities that deal damage to another creature or destroy permanents when they enter the battlefield (colloquially known as 187 effects) are common examples.
• Card Draw: Some cards trigger card draws when they enter the battlefield.
• Gaining life: Similar to card draw, some cards will gain the controlling player life when they enter the battlefield.
• Token creation: Many cards create tokens when they enter the battlefield, such as other creatures.

Understanding the concept of “enters the battlefield” and its trigger is crucial because it can affect the timing and order of operations. If a permanent would enter the battlefield with counters on it, the counters are placed before any ETB abilities are triggered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is “put onto the battlefield” the same as “play”?

No. “Playing” a card generally means casting it as a spell (if it’s a nonland card) or, in the case of lands, taking a special action that allows a player to place a land on the battlefield. “Putting onto the battlefield” is simply the act of moving a card from any zone to the battlefield. It does not count as casting or playing a card.

2. Does turning a face-down card face up count as entering the battlefield?

No. Since the card is already on the battlefield, turning a card face up does not trigger an “enters the battlefield” ability.

3. What happens if a card enters the battlefield without being cast?

If a noncreature card is entering the battlefield as a creature (due to an effect like that of March of the Machines), it will be exiled. If a non-token creature would enter the battlefield and it was not cast, exile it instead. There are, however, ways to work around this, such as the effect on Yarok, the Desecrated

4. Does “putting into play” count as casting?

No. The term “putting into play” is also outdated. “Playing a card” can include casting a spell, but “casting” never includes playing a land. Therefore, if a card mentions a trigger based on casting or being played, it cannot be triggered when a card is “put onto the battlefield.”

5. Are ETB effects considered triggered abilities?

Yes. ETB effects are a type of triggered ability that activates automatically when a permanent enters the battlefield. These effects will always go on the stack and resolve accordingly.

6. Do creatures get summoning sickness when they are put onto the battlefield?

Yes. A creature gets summoning sickness the moment it enters the battlefield. A creature with summoning sickness can’t attack or use any tap abilities until the beginning of its controller’s next turn.

7. Is putting a creature onto the battlefield the same as casting it?

No, putting a creature onto the battlefield is not the same as casting it. “Casting” refers specifically to playing a spell by paying its mana cost from the stack. When a creature card is put onto the battlefield due to an ability, it is not considered being “cast.”

8. Is returning to the battlefield the same as entering the battlefield?

Yes. “Entering the battlefield” is the same whether a card is played from your hand, returned from the graveyard, or brought back from exile. All will trigger any related ETB triggers.

9. Does copying a creature count as entering the battlefield?

When a creature spell is copied, the copy is not put onto the battlefield as a copy of the spell, but as a token. The token does enter the battlefield, which can trigger relevant ETB effects.

10. Can a 0/0 creature enter the battlefield?

Yes. A 0/0 creature can enter the battlefield. Effects that put counters on a creature as it enters the battlefield can circumvent issues with state-based actions that would normally cause a 0/0 creature to die. ETB abilities will still trigger even if the creature is a 0/0.

11. Does a land becoming a creature count as entering the battlefield?

No. When a land becomes a creature, it does not count as a creature entering the battlefield. The land was already on the battlefield; it simply changed its type.

12. Does entering the battlefield with counters count as putting counters on it?

No. If a permanent enters the battlefield with counters, the counters are put on the creature prior to it fully becoming a permanent. Therefore, any triggers related to counters being placed on a creature will not trigger.

13. Do mutate cards trigger ETB effects?

No. Mutating a creature does not trigger ETB effects. The mutated creature is not entering the battlefield; rather, it is merely changing the characteristics of an existing creature.

14. Is Cascade an ETB trigger?

No, Cascade is not an ETB trigger. It’s a triggered ability that occurs when a spell with cascade is cast, not when a card enters the battlefield.

15. Can you destroy a creature before it enters the battlefield?

No. For a player to destroy a creature, it must first be on the battlefield. The EtB ability will trigger even if the creature is immediately killed. The act of the creature entering the battlefield is separate from whether or not it will continue to exist on the battlefield.

Conclusion

While the phrase “comes into play” may linger in the minds of older players, it’s important to remember that “enters the battlefield” is the official and current terminology in Magic: The Gathering. This change was critical for providing clearer rules and more consistent gameplay. Understanding the nuances of “enters the battlefield” and its associated triggers is essential for every player of Magic: The Gathering, from casual gamers to seasoned pros.