This seems obvious, but I have a disagreement in our local FNM about how this will work. Please answer with an explanation and/or rules quote if possible.
Will Battlefield Thaumaturge reduce the cost of a counter spell that target creatures. ie If I target a creature, does dissolvecost only UU?
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No, it won't. When an effect uses the word 'creature' alone, it means a creature permanent on the battlefield (ditto for other permanent types). To include creature spells, it needs to use the word 'spell', and to include creature cards in other zone, it needs to use the word 'card'.
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I'm a former judge (lapsed), who keeps up to date on rules and policy. Keep in mind that judges' answers aren't necessarily more valid than those of people who aren't judges; what matters is we can quote the rules to back up our answers. When in doubt, ask for such quotes.
109.2. If a spell or ability uses a description of an object that includes a card type or subtype, but doesn’t include the word “card,” “spell,” “source,” or “scheme,” it means a permanent of that card type or subtype on the battlefield.
Since Battlefield Thaumaturge says "creature", it only reduces costs when a creature permanent (not creature spell) is targeted.
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Cards do what they say they do. No more. No less.
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.") A spell remains on the stack as a spell until it resolves (see rule 608, "Resolving Spells and Abilities"), is countered (see rule 701.5), or otherwise leaves the stack. For more information, see section 6, "Spells, Abilities, and Effects."
So, you can see that something on the stack is a spell. Not anything else. The confusion may have come from this ruling.
405.4. Each spell has all the characteristics of the card associated with it. Each activated or triggered ability thats on the stack has the text of the ability that created it and no other characteristics. The controller of a spell is the person who cast it. The controller of an activated ability is the player who activated it. The controller of a triggered ability is the player who controlled the abilitys source when it triggered, unless its a delayed triggered ability. To determine the controller of a delayed triggered ability, see rules 603.7df.
However, this only states that the spells on the stack have the characteristics of the card. But, they aren't creatures or artifacts or whatever until they resolve, they are just spells. This spells will read "counter target creature spell" So you can know the spell has the characteristic of a creature, but it is still a spell because it is on the stack.
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Whats the big deal about black lotus you ask? Well you see, there is no big deal about it. It IS the big deal.
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Will Battlefield Thaumaturge reduce the cost of a counter spell that target creatures. ie If I target a creature, does dissolvecost only UU?
The Steamflogged
Human Rigger Minions committed to
forcing Contraptions in YMTC4,
and Resisting The Tyranny of the
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Quotes:
109.2. If a spell or ability uses a description of an object that includes a card type or subtype, but doesn’t include the word “card,” “spell,” “source,” or “scheme,” it means a permanent of that card type or subtype on the battlefield.
Since Battlefield Thaumaturge says "creature", it only reduces costs when a creature permanent (not creature spell) is targeted.
Cards do what they say they do. No more. No less.
So, you can see that something on the stack is a spell. Not anything else. The confusion may have come from this ruling.
However, this only states that the spells on the stack have the characteristics of the card. But, they aren't creatures or artifacts or whatever until they resolve, they are just spells. This spells will read "counter target creature spell" So you can know the spell has the characteristic of a creature, but it is still a spell because it is on the stack.