What Counts as Permanent MTG?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, a permanent is a card or token that remains on the battlefield for the duration of the game. It’s a crucial concept to understand, as it affects how cards interact with each other and how players can build their decks. In this article, we’ll delve into the definition of a permanent, its types, and examples of cards that fit into each category.
Direct Answer: What Counts as Permanent MTG?
A permanent is any card or token that is on the battlefield and remains there until it’s destroyed, exiled, sacrificed, or otherwise removed according to the game rules. This includes creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and lands.
Types of Permanents
Permanents can be categorized into four main types:
- Creatures: These are cards that have a power and toughness value and can attack and defend. Examples include Goblin Piledriver and Serra Angel.
- Artifacts: These are cards that are not creatures but can still affect the game. Examples include Mox Sapphire and Swords to Plowshares.
- Enchantments: These are cards that affect the game in some way, such as changing the rules or affecting the abilities of other cards. Examples include Ancestral Recall and Misty Rainforest.
- Lands: These are cards that provide mana, which is used to cast spells. Examples include Forest and Mountain.
Examples of Permanents
Here are some examples of cards that are considered permanents:
- Minotaur Abomination: This is a creature that can attack and defend.
- Icy Manipulator: This is an artifact that can affect the game in some way.
- Misty Rainforest: This is an enchantment that changes the rules of the game.
- Forest: This is a land that provides mana.
Non-Land Permanents
Non-land permanents are cards that are not lands but can still affect the game. These include creatures, artifacts, and enchantments. Here are some examples:
- Goblin Piledriver: This is a creature that can attack and defend.
- Mox Sapphire: This is an artifact that can provide mana.
- Ancestral Recall: This is an enchantment that changes the rules of the game.
Land Permanents
Land permanents are cards that provide mana. These are the only permanents that can be played onto the battlefield without using mana. Here are some examples:
- Forest: This is a land that provides one green mana.
- Mountain: This is a land that provides one red mana.
Devoid Permanents
Devoid permanents are cards that have the devoid ability, which makes them colorless. This means they can be played onto the battlefield without using mana. Here are some examples:
- Eldrazi Temple: This is a land that provides one colorless mana.
- Eldrazi: This is a creature that has the devoid ability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a permanent is any card or token that remains on the battlefield for the duration of the game. There are four main types of permanents: creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and lands. Understanding what counts as a permanent is crucial for building a successful deck and playing the game effectively. By recognizing the different types of permanents and their abilities, players can make informed decisions about which cards to play and how to interact with their opponents.