Does blinking cause summoning sickness?

Does Blinking Cause Summoning Sickness?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Summoning Sickness is a common affliction that can plague creatures entering the battlefield. One question that often arises is whether Blinking, a powerful ability to manipulate a creature’s temporal position, can cause or alleviate Summoning Sickness. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Blinking and Summoning Sickness to provide a comprehensive answer to this question.

Direct Answer:

No, Blinking does not cause Summoning Sickness.

Understanding Summoning Sickness:

Summoning Sickness is a state that affects a creature as it enters the battlefield. It is defined as "the inability to attack or use abilities that require tapping" until the beginning of its controller’s next turn. This means that creatures entering the battlefield for the first time will not be able to attack or use abilities that require tapping, such as flying or morphing, until their next turn.

How Blinking Works:

Blinking is an ability that allows a creature to return to its owner’s hand and then be re-summoned. This process is often referred to as "flickering." When a creature is blinked, it is removed from the battlefield and exiled for a brief moment before returning to its owner’s hand. When the creature is re-summoned, it is placed back on the battlefield under its owner’s control.

Interaction with Summoning Sickness:

When a creature is blinked, it is effectively removed from the battlefield, and then re-summoned. This process does not trigger Summoning Sickness, as the creature is not entering the battlefield for the first time. Instead, it is re-enters the battlefield as if it had never left.

Examples:

• Flickering a creature: Let’s say you have a creature with the ability "Blink." You tap the creature, and then immediately blink it back to your hand. When it returns, it is still tapped, but it does not have Summoning Sickness.
• Blinking a creature that is already tapped: Let’s say you have a creature that is already tapped and then you blink it back to your hand. When it returns, it will still be tapped.

Key Takeaways:

• Blinking a creature does not cause Summoning Sickness.
• A creature that is blinked and then re-summoned does not have Summoning Sickness.
• Creatures that are already tapped will remain tapped even if they are blinked back to your hand.

In Summary:

In conclusion, Blinking does not cause Summoning Sickness. When a creature is blinked, it is effectively removed from the battlefield, and then re-summoned, which does not trigger Summoning Sickness. Understanding the intricacies of Blinking and Summoning Sickness can help you make informed decisions when building your decks and making plays during games.

References:

• Wizards of the Coast. (2020). Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules. Retrieved from https://media.wizards.com/magic/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/07091456/CR_2020.pdf
• Vintage Is The New Old. (n.d.). Blinking a meld creature. Retrieved from https://www.vintageisthenewold.com/faq/go-to-answer/5695631

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