In Magic The Gathering, what kinds of cards are actually spells?

Question

In other words, if a player plays a counter target spell card, what all can they counter? Can they counter creature summons and stuff like that, or just specifically sorceries?

Answer 1

Anything other than land, that is a card coming from your hand. This does not include "effects" stuff printed on the cards ex:"tap to destroy tapped creature" is not a spell. The card Royal assassin when played from the hand is.

Answer 2

You can counter anything with the exception of land. That includes, instants, artifacts, creatures, sorceries. Basically, anything that is on the stack can be countered by a card that states, "Counter target spell," except for activated and triggered abilities.

Answer 3

Actually, spells only exist on the stack. Once they resolve, if it is and instant or a sorcery, it will go to the graveyard and become a card. If it is a creature, enchantment or artifact, then it will become a permanent. So, it all depends on where is is. Notice that cards will not reference cards in a hand, deck or graveyard as a spell. They will say card, or non-land card.

Answer 4

Any card that is not a land is considered a spell. The only exception to this rule is Dryad Arbor (from the Future Sight set).

Cards/effects that counter spells can counter any card except lands. By the way, the exception is Dryad Arbor, which can not be countered this way.

Answer 5

another thing to add to Makkoto's answer is cards with split second. the card is still a spell but can't be responded to with cards like counterspell. Here is the ruling:



Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't play spells or activated abilities that aren't mana abilities.)

Answer 6

Any card, other than land, that is PLAYED from your hand is a spell. It can be countered unless otherwise stated. If a spell is PUT into play from anywhere; your hand, graveyard, library, sideboard, anywhere; it cannot be countered.

Answer 7

and, of course, there are certain spells that explicitly state that they are uncounterable. You can cast a counterspell on it , for whatever reason, but it won't affect the spell.



Examples of these cards are Obliterate, Last Word, Wreak Havoc, Scragnoth, and Akroma, Angel of Fury.