Does entering tapped count as becoming tapped?

Does Entering Tapped Count as Becoming Tapped?

In Magic: The Gathering, the concept of tapped and untapped permanents is crucial to understanding the game. A tapped permanent is one that has been activated or used, while an untapped permanent is one that has not been used yet. In this article, we will explore the question: Does entering tapped count as becoming tapped?

Direct Answer

To answer this question directly, we can refer to the official Magic: The Gathering rules. According to Rule 110.5b, "Permanents enter the battlefield untapped, unflipped, face up, and phased in unless a spell or ability says otherwise." This means that when a permanent enters the battlefield, it does not start tapped.

Entering Tapped: A Special Case

However, there is a special case where a permanent can enter the battlefield tapped: when it is specifically instructed to do so by an effect. This can occur through various means, such as a spell or ability that says "This permanent enters the battlefield tapped" or "This creature enters the battlefield tapped."

Why Entering Tapped Counts as Becoming Tapped

In these cases, entering tapped does indeed count as becoming tapped. This is because the permanent is being specifically instructed to start tapped, rather than untapped. When a permanent enters the battlefield tapped, it is considered to have become tapped, and it will remain tapped until it is untapped by some other effect or ability.

Consequences of Entering Tapped

Entering tapped can have significant consequences for a player’s game state. For example, if a player controls a tapped permanent, they will not be able to use it to pay costs or activate abilities. Additionally, entering tapped can prevent a player from casting spells or activating abilities that require an untapped permanent.

Examples of Entering Tapped

Here are a few examples of effects that instruct a permanent to enter the battlefield tapped:

• Dungeon Geists: This creature has the ability "This creature enters the battlefield tapped."
• Ninjutsu: This ability instructs the creature to enter the battlefield tapped and attacking whatever the original creature was attacking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, entering tapped does indeed count as becoming tapped in Magic: The Gathering. When a permanent is instructed to enter the battlefield tapped, it will start tapped and remain tapped until it is untapped by some other effect or ability. Understanding the concept of entering tapped is crucial to making informed decisions during a game, and can greatly impact a player’s chances of winning.

Table: Effects that Instruct a Permanent to Enter the Battlefield Tapped

Bullet Points: Consequences of Entering Tapped

• The permanent is unable to be used to pay costs or activate abilities.
• The permanent cannot be used to cast spells or activate abilities that require an untapped permanent.
• The permanent will remain tapped until it is untapped by some other effect or ability.

Further Reading

For more information on the rules of Magic: The Gathering, including the concept of entering tapped, we recommend consulting the official Magic: The Gathering rules or seeking guidance from a Magic: The Gathering judge or experienced player.