Does copying count as casting MTG?

Does Copying Count as Casting in Magic: The Gathering?

In Magic: The Gathering, copying a spell or ability is a fundamental concept that can lead to some interesting and powerful plays. However, there’s a common question that players often ask: Does copying count as casting? In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of copying in MTG and explore what it means to "cast" a spell or ability.

What Counts as Casting?

To start, let’s define what we mean by "casting" a spell or ability. According to the Magic: The Gathering Official FAQ, casting refers to the action of putting a card from your hand onto the stack and paying its mana cost, with the intention of making its effect happen. In other words, casting is the act of playing a spell or ability from your hand and making it interact with the game state.

Does Copying Count as Casting?

So, does copying a spell or ability count as casting it? The answer is no. Copying is a separate action that allows you to create a token or duplicate of an existing spell or ability, without actually casting it. This is an important distinction, as it means that copies do not have the same mana cost or gameplay effects as the original spell or ability.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key points to keep in mind:

• Copying a spell or ability is not the same as casting it.
• Copying creates a token or duplicate of the original spell or ability, without the need to pay its mana cost.
• Copies do not have the same mana cost or gameplay effects as the original spell or ability.
• Copies are not considered to be "cast" for the purposes of most rules and effects in Magic: The Gathering.

Mana Cost and Copies

It’s worth noting that mana cost is a key concept in Magic: The Gathering. Mana cost refers to the amount of mana required to cast a spell or ability. In the case of copying a spell or ability, the copied effect has its own mana cost, which must be paid in order to use it. This is separate from the mana cost of the original spell or ability, which is only required to cast the original spell.

Table: Mana Cost and Copies

As you can see from the table above, the mana cost of the copied spell or ability is separate from the mana cost of the original spell.

Summoning Sickness and Copies

Another important aspect of copying is the concept of summoning sickness. In Magic: The Gathering, summoned creatures (including tokens and copied creatures) are initially untapable and can’t attack or use their abilities during the turn they were summoned. This means that copied creatures, which are effectively duplicates of the original creature, are also subject to summoning sickness.

Consequences of Copying

So, what are the consequences of copying a spell or ability in Magic: The Gathering? Copies:

• Are not considered to be "cast" for the purposes of most rules and effects.
• Have their own mana cost, which must be paid in order to use them.
• Are subject to summoning sickness, just like the original creature.
• Are effectively duplicates of the original spell or ability, without the need to pay the mana cost of the original spell.

Conclusion

In conclusion, copying a spell or ability in Magic: The Gathering is a separate action from casting it. While copies have many of the same effects as the original spell or ability, they are not considered to be "cast" for the purposes of most rules and effects. Understanding the concept of copying and how it relates to casting is important for any Magic player looking to improve their game and take their deck to the next level.