What Becomes the Target of a Spell MTG?
In Magic: The Gathering, a spell’s target is a crucial aspect of its functionality. A spell’s target determines what it affects, and understanding what becomes the target of a spell is essential for mastering the game. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of spell targeting and explore the various scenarios that can arise.
Direct Answer
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, a spell is targeted if its spell ability identifies something it will affect by using the phrase "target [something]," where the "something" is a phrase that describes an object, player, or zone. (Source: 114.1a)
Types of Targets
There are several types of targets in Magic: The Gathering, including:
- Players: Spells can target specific players, such as dealing damage to a particular player or forcing them to discard cards.
- Creatures: Spells can target specific creatures, such as dealing damage to a creature or making it larger.
- Planeswalkers: Spells can target specific planeswalkers, such as dealing damage to a planeswalker or making it larger.
- Zones: Spells can target specific zones, such as the battlefield, the graveyard, or the exile zone.
Targeting and Zone Changes
When a spell targets a zone, it can cause changes to that zone. For example, a spell that targets the battlefield can create a new creature or destroy an existing one. A spell that targets the graveyard can bring a card back from the dead or send a card to the graveyard.
Targeting and Permanent Changes
When a spell targets a permanent, it can cause changes to that permanent. For example, a spell that targets a creature can make it larger or give it a new ability. A spell that targets a planeswalker can make it stronger or give it a new ability.
Targeting and Player Changes
When a spell targets a player, it can cause changes to that player. For example, a spell that targets a player can deal damage to them or force them to discard cards.
Illegal Targets
A spell’s target must be a legal target at the time the spell is cast. If a spell’s target is no longer legal at the time the spell is cast, the spell will fizzle and not resolve. For example, if a spell targets a creature that has already been destroyed, the spell will not resolve.
Cantrips and Targeting
Cantrips are spells that can be cast as a bonus action. Cantrips can target specific players, creatures, or zones, just like regular spells. However, cantrips have a shorter casting time and can be cast more quickly than regular spells.
Choosing and Targeting
Choosing and targeting are two separate concepts in Magic: The Gathering. Choosing refers to the process of selecting a specific target for a spell, while targeting refers to the process of affecting that target. For example, a spell that allows you to choose a creature to target can be thought of as choosing a target, while the process of dealing damage to that creature is targeting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding what becomes the target of a spell in Magic: The Gathering is crucial for mastering the game. By knowing the different types of targets, how targeting affects zones and permanents, and how to choose and target specific cards, you can improve your gameplay and become a more effective player. Remember to always keep in mind the official Magic: The Gathering rules and the specific wording of each spell to ensure that you’re targeting correctly.