Can someone please clarify whether or not a spell copy created by a cipher ability is 'cast'? In the rules under section 706 "Copying Objects", it states:
706.10. To copy a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability means to put a copy of it onto the stack; a copy of a spell isn’t cast and a copy of an activated ability isn’t activated.
But under section 702 "Keyword Abilities" it states:
702.98a Cipher appears on some instants and sorceries. It represents two abilities. The first is a spell ability that functions while the spell with cipher is on the stack. The second is a static ability that functions while the card with cipher is in the exile zone. “Cipher” means “If this spell is represented by a card, you may exile this card encoded on a creature you control” and “For as long as this card is encoded on that creature, that creature has ‘Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may copy the encoded card and you may cast the copy without paying its mana cost.’”
Specifically, I want to know if a spell copy created by a cipher trigger will trigger a heroic ability.
A copy of a *spell* is not cast, but a copy of a *card* can be cast. With Cipher, you make a copy of the encoded card, and you may cast the copy. Since you're casting the copy, anything that triggers when you cast a spell will trigger, and things like heroic can trigger.
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Scientists have calculated that the chance of anything so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.
706.10. To copy a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability means to put a copy of it onto the stack; a copy of a spell isn’t cast and a copy of an activated ability isn’t activated.
But under section 702 "Keyword Abilities" it states:
702.98a Cipher appears on some instants and sorceries. It represents two abilities. The first is a spell ability that functions while the spell with cipher is on the stack. The second is a static ability that functions while the card with cipher is in the exile zone. “Cipher” means “If this spell is represented by a card, you may exile this card encoded on a creature you control” and “For as long as this card is encoded on that creature, that creature has ‘Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may copy the encoded card and you may cast the copy without paying its mana cost.’”
Specifically, I want to know if a spell copy created by a cipher trigger will trigger a heroic ability.
Thanks in advance.
Scientists have calculated that the chance of anything so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.