What is a Permanent in MTG?
In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a Permanent is a card or token on the battlefield. It is a type of game piece that remains on the battlefield until it is destroyed, exiled, sacrificed, or removed according to the game rules. This term is often used to refer to the three types of cards that can be played: artifacts, creatures, and lands. Each of these card types has a distinct function and can be played on the battlefield in different ways.
Permanent Card Types
There are five permanent card types in MTG:
- Artifact: A card that represents a magical or mechanical construct. Artifacts can be played on the battlefield and have various effects, such as increasing or decreasing the power and toughness of a creature.
- Creature: A card that represents a living being, such as an animal, humanoid, or dragon. Creatures have power and toughness, which determines their combat strength.
- Enchantment: A card that represents a magical aura, status, or condition. Enchantments can affect creatures, lands, or players and can have various effects, such as increasing the mana value of a land or destroying a creature.
- Land: A card that represents a magical or natural location, such as a forest, mountain, or oasis. Lands are used to generate mana, which is required to play spells.
- Planeswalker: A card that represents a powerful, otherworldly being who is able to travel between planes and realities. Planeswalkers are one of the most powerful card types in the game and can have a significant impact on gameplay.
Key Characteristics of Permanents
Here are some key characteristics of permanents in MTG:
- Continuous effects: Permanents can have continuous effects, which remain in effect until the card is destroyed, exiled, or sacrificed. For example, an enchantment may provide a permanent bonus to a creature’s power.
- State-based actions: Permanents can trigger state-based actions, which are checks that are performed at the beginning of a player’s turn. For example, if a creature’s power and toughness is equal to or greater than the attacking creature, the defending player can remove the attacking creature from combat.
- Mana production: Permanents can produce mana, which is the lifeblood of the game. Players can use mana to play spells, create new permanents, and increase the size of their board.
- Removal: Permanents can be removed from the game through various means, such as destroying a creature with a removal spell, sacrificing a land to gain a spell, or exiling a permanent to put it into the graveyard.
Interactions with Permanents
Permanents can interact with each other in a variety of ways, including:
- Effects that trigger: Permanents can have effects that trigger when another permanent is played, destroyed, or otherwise interacts with it. For example, a land may have an effect that triggers when another land is played.
- Mutual effects: Permanents can have mutual effects, where both permanents affect each other in a certain way. For example, two creatures may have abilities that trigger when the other is attacked.
- Blocking and bouncing: Permanents can block each other, where one permanent prevents the other from attacking or dealing damage. Permanents can also be bounced, where they are returned to the player’s hand or the deck.
Conclusion
In conclusion, permanents are a crucial part of the Magic: The Gathering game. They can be artifacts, creatures, enchantments, lands, or planeswalkers, and each type has a distinct function and set of rules. Understanding how permanents interact with each other is key to building successful decks and strategies. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, understanding what is a permanent in MTG will help you to improve your gameplay and become a more skilled player.