Do Adventures Count as Instants?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Instant spells are a crucial component of any deck. These spells can be played during the main phase of our turn, allowing us to react to our opponent’s moves or create opportunities of our own. But have you ever wondered if Adventuring cards count as Instant spells? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Adventure cards and explore the nuances of Instant spells.
Direct Answer
To put it simply, adventures do not count as Instant spells. This is because Adventure cards are a unique card type that combines the elements of Instant and Creature cards, but they don’t exactly fit into either category. While they share some similarities with Instants, they have some key differences that set them apart.
What makes an Instant?
In Magic, an Instant spell is a type of card that can be played at any time during the game, including during our own turn. Instants typically have a mana cost, and when played, they can create a variety of effects, such as resolving a problem, creating opportunities, or simply generating cards. Some examples of Instants include:
• Fireball: Deals 3 damage to any target
• Counterspell: Counter target spell
• Healing Salve: You gain 3 life
What makes an Adventure?
Adventure cards are a relatively new card type introduced in the Guilds of Ravnica set. They are a type of card that combines an Instant spell with a Creature card. When played, an Adventure card exiles itself and allows us to cast the Creature half as a separate spell. Adventuring cards typically have multiple parts, including:
- The Adventure Card: This is the Initial card that we play on the battlefield.
- The Creature Card: This is the secondary card that we can cast using the Adventure Card as fuel.
- The Adventure Spell: This is the Instant spell that gets exiled when we cast the Adventure Card.
Here’s an example of an Adventure card:
Quest for the Perfect Storm: (Adventure)
Exile Quest for the Perfect Storm, then create a 2/2 black Rogue creature token with trample.
Key Differences:
So, what’s the main difference between Adventures and Instants? Let’s break it down:
• Exiling the Card: When we cast an Adventure card, the entire card gets exiled, whereas Instants just resolve and then disappear. This means that Adventures create a lasting effect on the board, whereas Instants are more ephemeral.
• Casting as a Creature: When we cast the Creature half of an Adventure card, we’re creating a new threat on the board, which can be a significant shift in the game’s state. Instants, on the other hand, often create a temporary effect and then disappear.
• Mana Cost: Adventures usually have a higher mana cost than Instants, due to the fact that we’re getting two cards’ worth of functionality for one card’s worth of cost.
Conclusion
While Adventures share some similarities with Instants, they ultimately operate under different rules. Adventures are not Instants, as they create a lasting effect on the board and come with a unique set of mechanics. However, Adventure cards can still be an incredibly powerful and versatile way to play Magic, providing a wealth of options and opportunities for players of all levels.