Do Vehicles Enter the Battlefield as Creatures?
The answer to this question might seem simple, but it’s more complex than it appears. In the world of Magic: The Gathering, vehicles are a type of permanent that can interact with the game in unique ways. In this article, we’ll explore whether vehicles enter the battlefield as creatures or not, and what this means for your gameplay.
Vehicles: A Different Type of Permanent
To understand the answer to our question, we need to first define what a vehicle is. In Magic, a vehicle is a type of artifact that can be crewed by creatures. This means that a creature can tap to crew a vehicle, and the vehicle gains the ability to attack or block.
Do Vehicles Enter the Battlefield as Creatures?
The short answer is no, vehicles do not enter the battlefield as creatures. When a vehicle is played, it is treated as an artifact, not a creature. This is because vehicles are artifacts, and they don’t have a creature type. This distinction is important, as it affects how vehicles interact with the game and how you can use them in your deck.
Crewing a Vehicle
However, vehicles can become creatures when they are crewed by a creature. This is done by tapping a creature with power equal to or greater than the vehicle’s crew cost. When a creature is used to crew a vehicle, it becomes a temporary creature-type permanent, and the vehicle gains the abilities of a creature.
The Role of Summoning Sickness
One of the most important implications of vehicles not entering the battlefield as creatures is the concept of summoning sickness. Summoning sickness is a game state that prevents a creature from attacking or using abilities during its first turn on the battlefield. Since vehicles are not creatures when they enter the battlefield, they do not have summoning sickness. However, when they are crewed and become creatures, they can still have summoning sickness.
Table: Comparison of Vehicle and Creature States
| Vehicle | Crewed Vehicle | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the Battlefield | Enters as an artifact | Becomes a temporary creature |
| Summoning Sickness | No summoning sickness | Can have summoning sickness |
| Abilities | Only has artifact abilities | Can use creature and artifact abilities |
The Implications of Vehicles Not Entering the Battlefield as Creatures
So, why is this distinction important? For one, it affects how you can use vehicles in your deck. Because vehicles don’t enter the battlefield as creatures, they can be played earlier in the game without worrying about summoning sickness. However, they also can’t attack or block on the turn they’re played, which means you’ll need to develop your board more slowly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vehicles do not enter the battlefield as creatures. Instead, they are artifacts that can become creatures when crewed by a creature. This distinction has important implications for your gameplay, including the use of summoning sickness. By understanding the role of vehicles in your deck, you can use them more effectively to help you win more games.