Do Transform Creatures Have Summoning Sickness?
One of the most intriguing and debatable topics in Magic: The Gathering is whether transform creatures have summoning sickness. Summoning sickness is a phenomenon that only affects creatures, causing them to unable to attack or use abilities until their next turn. In this article, we’ll dive into the rules and mechanics behind transforming creatures and answer the question on everyone’s mind: do they have summoning sickness?
Definition of Transforming Creatures
Before we get into the meat of the topic, it’s essential to understand what transforming creatures actually means. A transforming creature is one that has a front face and a back face, with the front face facing upwards when it enters the battlefield and the back face when it transforms. This is most commonly seen in double-faced creatures, which have two different card identities: one for the front face and another for the back face.
Do Transforming Creatures Have Summoning Sickness?
So, do transforming creatures have summoning sickness? The answer is NO. According to the Comprehensive Rulebook, "A card with a transform ability does not ‘transform’ until it has been turned to its back face to reflect the new card type. Only after it has been transformed can abilities from the new card type affect the game." (Source: 701.26a)
What does this mean? It means that even though a creature has transformed, it hasn’t actually changed its current status on the battlefield. It’s still just a regular creature, and summoning sickness doesn’t apply to it until its next turn.
Key Differences: Planeswalkers and Creatures
While we’re on the subject, let’s take a moment to highlight an important distinction between planeswalkers and creatures. Planeswalkers have their own set of rules for timing, which is separate from regular creatures. Planeswalkers, including those with transform abilities, are not affected by summoning sickness.
In contrast, creatures (including transforming ones) follow the standard rules for creature activation and summoning sickness.
The Impact on Gameplay
The fact that transforming creatures don’t have summoning sickness has significant implications on game strategy. It means that players with transform creatures can immediately use them, attack, and play around summoning sickness.
Example Gameplay Scenarios
Here’s a scenario to illustrate the difference:
- Bob has a transforming creature, Emmara, Soul of the Accord, which has both creature and planeswalker abilities.
- On Bob’s turn 1, he plays Emmara on the battlefield.
- On his second turn, he uses Emmara’s flying ability.
- On his following turns, he can use Emmara’s transform ability to change its back face without fear of summoning sickness.
Notice that Emmara’s transform ability wasn’t blocked by summoning sickness, allowing Bob to freely use it.
In conclusion, transforming creatures do NOT have summoning sickness. This significant detail can impact gameplay significantly, giving players with transform creatures more room for creative strategy.