Does Phasing In Count as Entering the Battlefield?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, phasing is a mechanic that allows permanents to temporarily leave the battlefield and then return at a later time. This mechanic can be complex and nuanced, and understanding its interactions with other game rules is crucial for making the most of your cards. One common question that players have is whether phasing in counts as entering the battlefield. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and delve deeper into the intricacies of phasing.
What is Phasing?
Before we dive into whether phasing in counts as entering the battlefield, it’s essential to understand what phasing is. Phasing is a mechanic that allows a permanent to phase out, which means it is removed from the battlefield and treated as if it doesn’t exist. When a permanent phases out, it is no longer able to be attacked, and it is not affected by any abilities or effects that trigger when a permanent enters or leaves the battlefield. Phasing out is usually temporary, and the permanent will phase back in on its controller’s untap step.
Does Phasing In Count as Entering the Battlefield?
So, does phasing in count as entering the battlefield? The answer is no. Phasing in is not considered entering the battlefield, and it does not trigger any abilities or effects that trigger when a permanent enters the battlefield. This is because phasing in is not a form of entering the battlefield; it’s more like the permanent is being returned to the battlefield after having temporarily left.
Why Doesn’t Phasing In Count as Entering the Battlefield?
There are a few reasons why phasing in doesn’t count as entering the battlefield. The first reason is that phasing out is not considered leaving the battlefield. When a permanent phases out, it is not removed from the battlefield; it’s just treated as if it doesn’t exist. Therefore, phasing in is not considered entering the battlefield because the permanent was never actually removed from the battlefield.
Another reason why phasing in doesn’t count as entering the battlefield is that phasing is a temporary effect. When a permanent phases out, it is not destroyed or removed from the game; it’s just temporarily removed from the battlefield. Therefore, when it phases back in, it’s not considered a new permanent entering the battlefield.
Consequences of Phasing In Not Counting as Entering the Battlefield
So, what are the consequences of phasing in not counting as entering the battlefield? One consequence is that phasing in does not trigger any abilities or effects that trigger when a permanent enters the battlefield. For example, if a creature has an ability that triggers when it enters the battlefield, that ability will not trigger when the creature phases in.
Another consequence is that phasing in does not interact with other game rules that affect entering the battlefield. For example, if a creature has a ability that gives it +1/+1 when it enters the battlefield, that ability will not give the creature +1/+1 when it phases in.
Examples of Phasing In Not Counting as Entering the Battlefield
Here are a few examples of phasing in not counting as entering the battlefield:
- Token creature: A token creature is created and then phases out. When it phases back in, it does not trigger any abilities or effects that trigger when a token creature enters the battlefield.
- Equipment: A creature is equipped and then phases out. When it phases back in, the equipment is still attached to it, but it does not trigger any abilities or effects that trigger when equipment is attached to a creature.
- Aura: An aura is attached to a creature and then the creature phases out. When the creature phases back in, the aura is still attached to it, but it does not trigger any abilities or effects that trigger when an aura is attached to a creature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, phasing in does not count as entering the battlefield. Phasing out is not considered leaving the battlefield, and phasing in is not considered entering the battlefield because it’s a temporary effect. Understanding the nuances of phasing is crucial for making the most of your cards and interacting with other game rules.