Does Copying a Spell Increase Storm Count?
Introduction
Storm is a fascinating mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to create an explosive board state by copying spells. One of the most common questions about storm is whether copying a spell increases the storm count. In this article, we will delve into the answer to this question and explore the intricacies of storm counting.
Does Copying a Spell Increase Storm Count?
To answer this question, we need to understand how storm counting works. When you cast a spell with storm, you copy the spell for each other spell that has been cast during the turn, up to a maximum of 20. This is often referred to as the "storm count." Copying a spell does not increase the storm count.
This might seem counterintuitive, as copying a spell would seem to be a natural way to increase the storm count. However, the language of the storm ability specifically states that you copy the spell for each spell cast during the turn, not that you create a new spell cast. This subtle distinction is crucial in understanding how storm counting works.
How Does Storm Counting Work?
To illustrate this concept, let’s consider an example. Imagine you’re playing a game and you’ve cast three spells during your turn. You then cast a spell with storm, which copies each of the spells you’ve cast during the turn. In this case, the storm count would be three, not six. The storm count only includes the number of spells cast during the turn, not the number of copies created.
Here’s a table to help illustrate this concept:
| Spell Casts | Storm Count |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| … | … |
As you can see, the storm count only increases by one for each additional spell cast during the turn. Copying a spell does not create a new spell cast, so it does not increase the storm count.
Conclusion
In conclusion, copying a spell does not increase the storm count in Magic: The Gathering. The storm count only includes the number of spells cast during the turn, not the number of copies created. This subtle distinction is crucial in understanding how storm counting works and how to optimize your deck’s storm potential.
FAQ
- Q: What happens when I copy a spell with storm?
- A: You create a copy of the spell for each spell cast during the turn, up to a maximum of 20.
- Q: Does copying a spell increase the storm count?
- A: No, copying a spell does not increase the storm count. The storm count only includes the number of spells cast during the turn, not the number of copies created.
- Q: How do I optimize my deck’s storm potential?
- A: By casting as many spells as possible during the turn and using cards that create multiple copies of a spell, such as cards with the "copy" ability.
I hope this article has helped clarify the answer to this question and provided some valuable insights into the world of Magic: The Gathering.