Creature spells vs. ability to convert a permanent into a creature












3















I just wanted some clarification here, but is an ability to convert into a creature (from a land or an artifact) regarded the same as a casting "creature spell" (as an instant I guess) in terms of "color creature spells you cast cost 1 less to cast"?



Does that makes sense?



If I wanted to convert a land into a 3/3 creature would an artifact with this ability allow me cast that conversion (as a creature spell) for less mana?










share|improve this question

























  • Abilities aren't spells. Abilities aren't cast. Abilities don't have a card type. Abilities don't have a color.

    – ikegami
    Mar 4 at 18:17








  • 1





    @ Neal, Welcome to the Site! Pretty good for a first question, MTG can be pretty complex so asking for clarification can help out a lot. If you would like to learn more about how the site works consider taking the tour.

    – Malco
    Mar 4 at 18:52
















3















I just wanted some clarification here, but is an ability to convert into a creature (from a land or an artifact) regarded the same as a casting "creature spell" (as an instant I guess) in terms of "color creature spells you cast cost 1 less to cast"?



Does that makes sense?



If I wanted to convert a land into a 3/3 creature would an artifact with this ability allow me cast that conversion (as a creature spell) for less mana?










share|improve this question

























  • Abilities aren't spells. Abilities aren't cast. Abilities don't have a card type. Abilities don't have a color.

    – ikegami
    Mar 4 at 18:17








  • 1





    @ Neal, Welcome to the Site! Pretty good for a first question, MTG can be pretty complex so asking for clarification can help out a lot. If you would like to learn more about how the site works consider taking the tour.

    – Malco
    Mar 4 at 18:52














3












3








3








I just wanted some clarification here, but is an ability to convert into a creature (from a land or an artifact) regarded the same as a casting "creature spell" (as an instant I guess) in terms of "color creature spells you cast cost 1 less to cast"?



Does that makes sense?



If I wanted to convert a land into a 3/3 creature would an artifact with this ability allow me cast that conversion (as a creature spell) for less mana?










share|improve this question
















I just wanted some clarification here, but is an ability to convert into a creature (from a land or an artifact) regarded the same as a casting "creature spell" (as an instant I guess) in terms of "color creature spells you cast cost 1 less to cast"?



Does that makes sense?



If I wanted to convert a land into a 3/3 creature would an artifact with this ability allow me cast that conversion (as a creature spell) for less mana?







magic-the-gathering






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Mar 4 at 18:52









Malco

6,7961654




6,7961654










asked Mar 4 at 18:05









Neal W. SyretteNeal W. Syrette

191




191













  • Abilities aren't spells. Abilities aren't cast. Abilities don't have a card type. Abilities don't have a color.

    – ikegami
    Mar 4 at 18:17








  • 1





    @ Neal, Welcome to the Site! Pretty good for a first question, MTG can be pretty complex so asking for clarification can help out a lot. If you would like to learn more about how the site works consider taking the tour.

    – Malco
    Mar 4 at 18:52



















  • Abilities aren't spells. Abilities aren't cast. Abilities don't have a card type. Abilities don't have a color.

    – ikegami
    Mar 4 at 18:17








  • 1





    @ Neal, Welcome to the Site! Pretty good for a first question, MTG can be pretty complex so asking for clarification can help out a lot. If you would like to learn more about how the site works consider taking the tour.

    – Malco
    Mar 4 at 18:52

















Abilities aren't spells. Abilities aren't cast. Abilities don't have a card type. Abilities don't have a color.

– ikegami
Mar 4 at 18:17







Abilities aren't spells. Abilities aren't cast. Abilities don't have a card type. Abilities don't have a color.

– ikegami
Mar 4 at 18:17






1




1





@ Neal, Welcome to the Site! Pretty good for a first question, MTG can be pretty complex so asking for clarification can help out a lot. If you would like to learn more about how the site works consider taking the tour.

– Malco
Mar 4 at 18:52





@ Neal, Welcome to the Site! Pretty good for a first question, MTG can be pretty complex so asking for clarification can help out a lot. If you would like to learn more about how the site works consider taking the tour.

– Malco
Mar 4 at 18:52










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

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6














No, you said it yourself: it's an ability, which is different from a spell. If you get a discount on creature spells, it won't affect abilities.





  1. Spells


111.1. A spell is a card on the stack. As the first step of being cast (see rule 601, "Casting Spells"), the card becomes a spell and is moved to the top of the stack from the zone it was in, which is usually its owner's hand. (See rule 405, "Stack.")








  1. Abilities


112.1a An ability can be a characteristic an object has that lets it affect the game. An object's abilities are defined by its rules text or by the effect that created it. Abilities can also be granted to objects by rules or effects. (Effects that grant abilities usually use the words "has," "have," "gains," or "gain.") Abilities generate effects. (See rule 609, "Effects.")



...



112.1c An ability can be an activated or triggered ability on the stack. This kind of ability is an object. (See section 6, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects.")








  1. Activating Activated Abilities


602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]"







share|improve this answer


























  • 112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

    – Hackworth
    Mar 4 at 19:59











  • I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

    – Glorfindel
    Mar 4 at 20:03











  • It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

    – Arcanist Lupus
    Mar 4 at 20:18






  • 2





    @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

    – Hackworth
    Mar 4 at 21:53





















4














Even if it were a spell and not an ability, a creature spell is a spell of type creature, not any spell that causes a creature to be on the battlefield. So, for instance, Resurrection is a sorcery, Animate Land is an instant, and Aquatic Incursion is an enchantment. None of these are creature spells, even though they cause there to be creatures on the battlefield.






share|improve this answer
























  • Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

    – Andrew
    Mar 9 at 0:30



















0














If you're talking casting a spell with Awaken, like Ruinous Path then this is an alternate cost for a spell but it still is a non-creature spell, so it could have the cost to cast reduced by things like Jet Medallion but it won't be reduced by Bontu's Monument. Other spells will also animate lands, like Life and Limb this too can be reduced in cost by Emerald Medallion but not by Rhonas's Monument. Wall of Resurgence is the only thing close to a creature spell that will turn a land into a creature, because it turns a land into a creature when it enters the battlefield.



If it's an activated ability of some creature that will animate the land, like Clan Guildmage's ability, there are cards that can reduce the cost, like Heartstone and Training Grounds.



If it's an ability of the land itself, then there is nothing I know of that reduces the cost of a land's activated ability.



None of these are casting a creature spell, only the first is a spell at all but those are instants or sorceries.






share|improve this answer

























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    3 Answers
    3






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    3 Answers
    3






    active

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    active

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    active

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    6














    No, you said it yourself: it's an ability, which is different from a spell. If you get a discount on creature spells, it won't affect abilities.





    1. Spells


    111.1. A spell is a card on the stack. As the first step of being cast (see rule 601, "Casting Spells"), the card becomes a spell and is moved to the top of the stack from the zone it was in, which is usually its owner's hand. (See rule 405, "Stack.")








    1. Abilities


    112.1a An ability can be a characteristic an object has that lets it affect the game. An object's abilities are defined by its rules text or by the effect that created it. Abilities can also be granted to objects by rules or effects. (Effects that grant abilities usually use the words "has," "have," "gains," or "gain.") Abilities generate effects. (See rule 609, "Effects.")



    ...



    112.1c An ability can be an activated or triggered ability on the stack. This kind of ability is an object. (See section 6, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects.")








    1. Activating Activated Abilities


    602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]"







    share|improve this answer


























    • 112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 19:59











    • I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

      – Glorfindel
      Mar 4 at 20:03











    • It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

      – Arcanist Lupus
      Mar 4 at 20:18






    • 2





      @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 21:53


















    6














    No, you said it yourself: it's an ability, which is different from a spell. If you get a discount on creature spells, it won't affect abilities.





    1. Spells


    111.1. A spell is a card on the stack. As the first step of being cast (see rule 601, "Casting Spells"), the card becomes a spell and is moved to the top of the stack from the zone it was in, which is usually its owner's hand. (See rule 405, "Stack.")








    1. Abilities


    112.1a An ability can be a characteristic an object has that lets it affect the game. An object's abilities are defined by its rules text or by the effect that created it. Abilities can also be granted to objects by rules or effects. (Effects that grant abilities usually use the words "has," "have," "gains," or "gain.") Abilities generate effects. (See rule 609, "Effects.")



    ...



    112.1c An ability can be an activated or triggered ability on the stack. This kind of ability is an object. (See section 6, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects.")








    1. Activating Activated Abilities


    602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]"







    share|improve this answer


























    • 112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 19:59











    • I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

      – Glorfindel
      Mar 4 at 20:03











    • It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

      – Arcanist Lupus
      Mar 4 at 20:18






    • 2





      @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 21:53
















    6












    6








    6







    No, you said it yourself: it's an ability, which is different from a spell. If you get a discount on creature spells, it won't affect abilities.





    1. Spells


    111.1. A spell is a card on the stack. As the first step of being cast (see rule 601, "Casting Spells"), the card becomes a spell and is moved to the top of the stack from the zone it was in, which is usually its owner's hand. (See rule 405, "Stack.")








    1. Abilities


    112.1a An ability can be a characteristic an object has that lets it affect the game. An object's abilities are defined by its rules text or by the effect that created it. Abilities can also be granted to objects by rules or effects. (Effects that grant abilities usually use the words "has," "have," "gains," or "gain.") Abilities generate effects. (See rule 609, "Effects.")



    ...



    112.1c An ability can be an activated or triggered ability on the stack. This kind of ability is an object. (See section 6, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects.")








    1. Activating Activated Abilities


    602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]"







    share|improve this answer















    No, you said it yourself: it's an ability, which is different from a spell. If you get a discount on creature spells, it won't affect abilities.





    1. Spells


    111.1. A spell is a card on the stack. As the first step of being cast (see rule 601, "Casting Spells"), the card becomes a spell and is moved to the top of the stack from the zone it was in, which is usually its owner's hand. (See rule 405, "Stack.")








    1. Abilities


    112.1a An ability can be a characteristic an object has that lets it affect the game. An object's abilities are defined by its rules text or by the effect that created it. Abilities can also be granted to objects by rules or effects. (Effects that grant abilities usually use the words "has," "have," "gains," or "gain.") Abilities generate effects. (See rule 609, "Effects.")



    ...



    112.1c An ability can be an activated or triggered ability on the stack. This kind of ability is an object. (See section 6, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects.")








    1. Activating Activated Abilities


    602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as "[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]"








    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 4 at 20:02

























    answered Mar 4 at 18:07









    GlorfindelGlorfindel

    5,26611440




    5,26611440













    • 112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 19:59











    • I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

      – Glorfindel
      Mar 4 at 20:03











    • It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

      – Arcanist Lupus
      Mar 4 at 20:18






    • 2





      @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 21:53





















    • 112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 19:59











    • I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

      – Glorfindel
      Mar 4 at 20:03











    • It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

      – Arcanist Lupus
      Mar 4 at 20:18






    • 2





      @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

      – Hackworth
      Mar 4 at 21:53



















    112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

    – Hackworth
    Mar 4 at 19:59





    112.1a-c seem to be more relevant with regards to what an ability is vs what a spell is.

    – Hackworth
    Mar 4 at 19:59













    I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

    – Glorfindel
    Mar 4 at 20:03





    I considered citing them, but I hate the circular definition in 112.1c with a passion.

    – Glorfindel
    Mar 4 at 20:03













    It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

    – Arcanist Lupus
    Mar 4 at 20:18





    It might also be worth addressing why a token producing spell is not a creature spell.

    – Arcanist Lupus
    Mar 4 at 20:18




    2




    2





    @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

    – Hackworth
    Mar 4 at 21:53







    @Glorfindel I wouldn't say the definition is circular. An ability as per 112.1c is an object on the stack that was created by an ability as per 112.1a.

    – Hackworth
    Mar 4 at 21:53













    4














    Even if it were a spell and not an ability, a creature spell is a spell of type creature, not any spell that causes a creature to be on the battlefield. So, for instance, Resurrection is a sorcery, Animate Land is an instant, and Aquatic Incursion is an enchantment. None of these are creature spells, even though they cause there to be creatures on the battlefield.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

      – Andrew
      Mar 9 at 0:30
















    4














    Even if it were a spell and not an ability, a creature spell is a spell of type creature, not any spell that causes a creature to be on the battlefield. So, for instance, Resurrection is a sorcery, Animate Land is an instant, and Aquatic Incursion is an enchantment. None of these are creature spells, even though they cause there to be creatures on the battlefield.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

      – Andrew
      Mar 9 at 0:30














    4












    4








    4







    Even if it were a spell and not an ability, a creature spell is a spell of type creature, not any spell that causes a creature to be on the battlefield. So, for instance, Resurrection is a sorcery, Animate Land is an instant, and Aquatic Incursion is an enchantment. None of these are creature spells, even though they cause there to be creatures on the battlefield.






    share|improve this answer













    Even if it were a spell and not an ability, a creature spell is a spell of type creature, not any spell that causes a creature to be on the battlefield. So, for instance, Resurrection is a sorcery, Animate Land is an instant, and Aquatic Incursion is an enchantment. None of these are creature spells, even though they cause there to be creatures on the battlefield.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Mar 5 at 22:46









    AcccumulationAcccumulation

    65617




    65617













    • Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

      – Andrew
      Mar 9 at 0:30



















    • Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

      – Andrew
      Mar 9 at 0:30

















    Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

    – Andrew
    Mar 9 at 0:30





    Life and Limb, or any genju or any zendikon would be a better enchantment and Verdant Touch would be a better sorcery to use as an example in this question, since these animate lands rather than create tokens or return creatures from the grave.

    – Andrew
    Mar 9 at 0:30











    0














    If you're talking casting a spell with Awaken, like Ruinous Path then this is an alternate cost for a spell but it still is a non-creature spell, so it could have the cost to cast reduced by things like Jet Medallion but it won't be reduced by Bontu's Monument. Other spells will also animate lands, like Life and Limb this too can be reduced in cost by Emerald Medallion but not by Rhonas's Monument. Wall of Resurgence is the only thing close to a creature spell that will turn a land into a creature, because it turns a land into a creature when it enters the battlefield.



    If it's an activated ability of some creature that will animate the land, like Clan Guildmage's ability, there are cards that can reduce the cost, like Heartstone and Training Grounds.



    If it's an ability of the land itself, then there is nothing I know of that reduces the cost of a land's activated ability.



    None of these are casting a creature spell, only the first is a spell at all but those are instants or sorceries.






    share|improve this answer






























      0














      If you're talking casting a spell with Awaken, like Ruinous Path then this is an alternate cost for a spell but it still is a non-creature spell, so it could have the cost to cast reduced by things like Jet Medallion but it won't be reduced by Bontu's Monument. Other spells will also animate lands, like Life and Limb this too can be reduced in cost by Emerald Medallion but not by Rhonas's Monument. Wall of Resurgence is the only thing close to a creature spell that will turn a land into a creature, because it turns a land into a creature when it enters the battlefield.



      If it's an activated ability of some creature that will animate the land, like Clan Guildmage's ability, there are cards that can reduce the cost, like Heartstone and Training Grounds.



      If it's an ability of the land itself, then there is nothing I know of that reduces the cost of a land's activated ability.



      None of these are casting a creature spell, only the first is a spell at all but those are instants or sorceries.






      share|improve this answer




























        0












        0








        0







        If you're talking casting a spell with Awaken, like Ruinous Path then this is an alternate cost for a spell but it still is a non-creature spell, so it could have the cost to cast reduced by things like Jet Medallion but it won't be reduced by Bontu's Monument. Other spells will also animate lands, like Life and Limb this too can be reduced in cost by Emerald Medallion but not by Rhonas's Monument. Wall of Resurgence is the only thing close to a creature spell that will turn a land into a creature, because it turns a land into a creature when it enters the battlefield.



        If it's an activated ability of some creature that will animate the land, like Clan Guildmage's ability, there are cards that can reduce the cost, like Heartstone and Training Grounds.



        If it's an ability of the land itself, then there is nothing I know of that reduces the cost of a land's activated ability.



        None of these are casting a creature spell, only the first is a spell at all but those are instants or sorceries.






        share|improve this answer















        If you're talking casting a spell with Awaken, like Ruinous Path then this is an alternate cost for a spell but it still is a non-creature spell, so it could have the cost to cast reduced by things like Jet Medallion but it won't be reduced by Bontu's Monument. Other spells will also animate lands, like Life and Limb this too can be reduced in cost by Emerald Medallion but not by Rhonas's Monument. Wall of Resurgence is the only thing close to a creature spell that will turn a land into a creature, because it turns a land into a creature when it enters the battlefield.



        If it's an activated ability of some creature that will animate the land, like Clan Guildmage's ability, there are cards that can reduce the cost, like Heartstone and Training Grounds.



        If it's an ability of the land itself, then there is nothing I know of that reduces the cost of a land's activated ability.



        None of these are casting a creature spell, only the first is a spell at all but those are instants or sorceries.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Mar 9 at 0:34

























        answered Mar 9 at 0:22









        AndrewAndrew

        5,5451838




        5,5451838






























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