Do copied spells trigger Orvar?

Do Copied Spells Trigger Orvar?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, spells can be copied using various mechanics, such as copying spells with storm or using cards like Orvar, the All-Form. But what happens when a copied spell is cast? Does it trigger Orvar’s abilities? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some insights on how copied spells interact with Orvar.

What is Orvar, the All-Form?

Before we dive into the main topic, let’s briefly introduce Orvar, the All-Form. Orvar, the All-Form is a Planeswalker card that allows you to create "copies" of creatures, including yourself. These copies are not creatures in their own right, but rather extensions of yourself. Orvar’s abilities trigger when you cast a spell, which includes copying spells.

Do Copied Spells Trigger Orvar?

The short answer is no, copied spells do not trigger Orvar’s abilities. According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, "To copy a spell is to put a copy of it onto the stack; a copy of a spell isn’t cast" (CR 707.10). This means that when you copy a spell, you’re not actually casting it, and therefore, Orvar’s abilities won’t trigger.

Why Don’t Copied Spells Trigger Orvar?

There are a few reasons why copied spells don’t trigger Orvar’s abilities:

• Copied spells are not cast: As mentioned earlier, copying a spell is not the same as casting it. When you copy a spell, you’re putting a copy of it onto the stack, but you’re not actually casting it.
• Orvar’s abilities trigger on casting: Orvar’s abilities trigger when you cast a spell, not when you copy a spell. Since copying a spell is not the same as casting it, Orvar’s abilities won’t trigger.
• Copied spells have no mana cost: When you copy a spell, you don’t have to pay the mana cost associated with casting the original spell. This means that Orvar’s abilities, which trigger on casting, won’t be triggered by the copied spell.

Examples and Counterexamples

To illustrate this point, let’s consider a few examples:

• Example 1: You copy Fling using Orvar, the All-Form. You then use the copied Fling to deal damage to a creature. In this case, the copied Fling is not cast, and therefore, Orvar’s abilities won’t trigger.
• Example 2: You cast Fling using Orvar, the All-Form. In this case, Fling is cast, and Orvar’s abilities will trigger.
• Counterexample: Some players might argue that when you copy a spell, you’re effectively "casting" it, and therefore, Orvar’s abilities should trigger. However, this is not the case. Copied spells are not cast, and Orvar’s abilities only trigger on casting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, copied spells do not trigger Orvar’s abilities. This is because copying a spell is not the same as casting it, and Orvar’s abilities only trigger on casting. While this might seem counterintuitive, it’s an important distinction to make when playing with Orvar, the All-Form.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are a few additional tips and tricks to keep in mind when playing with Orvar, the All-Form:

• Use Orvar’s abilities strategically: Since Orvar’s abilities only trigger on casting, you’ll want to use them strategically to maximize their impact.
• Keep in mind the mana cost: When copying a spell, keep in mind that you won’t have to pay the mana cost associated with casting the original spell.
• Experiment with different copying mechanics: There are many different copying mechanics in Magic: The Gathering, such as copying spells with storm or using cards like Echoing Truth. Experiment with different mechanics to find what works best for you.

By understanding how copied spells interact with Orvar, you can improve your gameplay and make more informed decisions at the table. Happy gaming!