Magic: The Gathering: Rules: Spell & Abilities

Series Summary

"Magic: The Gathering" (MTG) is a collectible card game invented by mathematician Richard Garfield and introduced to the role-playing game (RPG) market in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Since then, the MTG fan base has grown, boasting an astounding six million plus players worldwide. A typical game of "Magic: The Gathering" is carried out by two or more players, each supplied with their own deck of cards (or library) with which to do battle. Play progresses as magic spells and enchantments are cast, artifacts forged and employed and a sizable phantasmagoria of monsters, animals, spirits and men are summoned. The game takes cues from classic role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, but bears closer resemblance to bridge or poker in play. In this free video series on Magic: The Gathering, certified DCI judge Tameron Josbeck discusses how to cast spells and use the abilities specified in the Magic cards. Find out the steps each player should take when casting spells, such as announcing the spells and who the spells will affect. Josbeck also demonstrates Madness, Morphine, Entwine, Convoke and Storm abilities.

Video Transcript

"In this series we will be exploring the steps of playing a spell or ability. Playing a spell or ability correctly is very intuitive at the simple level but in complex situations can get quite detailed. The steps follow a simple pattern which is the same every time and if you follow these steps you won't make mistakes. Steps are as follows: first you announce the spell or ability, then you choose the mode, X, and a number of other costs. You announce the targets then you announce special additional targets. You announce the way each target will be affected then you determine costs, then you play any mana abilities you will need to play in the spell, then you pay the cost. At this point the spell or ability becomes played. These steps followed in order simplify and answer many questions that players come up against when playing spells or abilities. Using this system explicitly delineates any questions you might have."