The game group* I'm in has the understanding that casting an Enchantment (Aura) spell has to have a 'target' as the spell resolves. Therefore one couldn't take control of Uril, the Miststalker with Lay Claim as 'target' is implied in the command "Enchant Creature" on the card.
I'm under the impression that this is different with Instant and Sorcery cards, as they must, exclusively, have the word 'target' in the spell. So a spell like Overwhelm wouldn't count as targeting a creature with 'Heroic'.
Could someone help explain/correct these with supporting rules? We are having some disagreements on what is 'targeting' in different spell types.
To be clear, all non-permanent spells (currently only Instants and Sorceries) must have the word "target" in the text to be considered targeting something. So, a spell like Overwhelm does not target (it doesn't say "target" anywhere).
Generally, permanent spells (creatures, planeswalkers, enchantments, and artifacts) cannot target. Things like Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger actually create a trigger if they need to target something. Auras (a sub group of enchantments) are the exceptions. Auras, per the rules, inherently target based on the subtype. So, it isn't that they say Enchant Creature, Enchant Player, or the like. It is that they are auras and the rules explicitly call them out as an exception to permanent spells not being able to target something. The Enchant <something> clause dictates what the target must be. Here is the rule:
303.4a An Aura spell requires a target, which is defined by its enchant ability.
303.4b The object or player an Aura is attached to is called enchanted. The Aura is attached to, or “enchants,” that object or player.
Note that there is an exception to this exception. That is, as mentioned in the rule quoted above, an Aura Spell targets, not the permanent itself. This means that if an Aura is put onto the battlefield through some means other than being cast as a spell, it doesn't target. The controller simply chooses something to attach it to and, if that object is legal, it will become attached. This means you can enchant a hexproof or shroud creature this way (since those abilities only prevent targeting) but not something with Protection. Here is the rule for that:
303.4f If an Aura is entering the battlefield under a player’s control by any means other than by resolving as an Aura spell, and the effect putting it onto the battlefield doesn’t specify the object or player the Aura will enchant, that player chooses what it will enchant as the Aura enters the battlefield. The player must choose a legal object or player according to the Aura’s enchant ability and any other applicable effects.
In general, only if the spell/ability uses the word "target" in its text or the rules for that keyword ability, is that spell/ability targeted.
Aura spells also target the thing/player they are going to enchant. However, if an aura card is just entering the battlefield without being cast as a spell first, like with Souvereign of Lost Alara, then that aura's controller can choose any object/player it can legally enchant and attach it to it. Hexproof and shroud don't interfere here as those ability specifically only care about targeting. Protection, otoh, also prohibits enchanting, so a creature with protection from one of the aura's qualities (like color) is not an object that could be legally enchanted by it.
114.1b Aura spells are always targeted. These are the only permanent spells with targets. An Aura’s
target is specified by its enchant keyword ability (see rule 702.5, “Enchant”). The target(s) are
chosen as the spell is cast; see rule 601.2c. An Aura permanent doesn’t target anything; only the
spell is targeted. (An activated or triggered ability of an Aura permanent can also be targeted.)
303.4. Some enchantments have the subtype “Aura.” An Aura enters the battlefield attached to an
object or player. What an Aura can be attached to is defined by its enchant keyword ability (see rule
702.5, “Enchant”). Other effects can limit what a permanent can be enchanted by.
303.4a An Aura spell requires a target, which is defined by its enchant ability.
303.4f If an Aura is entering the battlefield under a player’s control by any means other than by
resolving as an Aura spell, and the effect putting it onto the battlefield doesn’t specify the object
or player the Aura will enchant, that player chooses what it will enchant as the Aura enters the
battlefield. The player must choose a legal object or player according to the Aura’s enchant
ability and any other applicable effects.
Also note, that just being affected does not make anything or anyone a target.
114.9. Spells and abilities can affect objects and players they don’t target. In general, those objects and
players aren’t chosen until the spell or ability resolves. See rule 608, “Resolving Spells and
Abilities.”
114.9a Just because an object or player is being affected by a spell or ability doesn’t make that
object or player a target of that spell or ability. Unless that object or player is identified by the
word “target” in the text of that spell or ability, or the rule for that keyword ability, it’s not a
target.
114.9b In particular, the word “you” in an object’s text doesn’t indicate a target.
The game group* I'm in has the understanding that casting an Enchantment (Aura) spell has to have a 'target' as the spell resolves. Therefore one couldn't take control of Uril, the Miststalker with Lay Claim as 'target' is implied in the command "Enchant Creature" on the card.
I'm under the impression that this is different with Instant and Sorcery cards, as they must, exclusively, have the word 'target' in the spell. So a spell like Overwhelm wouldn't count as targeting a creature with 'Heroic'.
Could someone help explain/correct these with supporting rules? We are having some disagreements on what is 'targeting' in different spell types.
*literally 3 noobs who play regularly
Generally, permanent spells (creatures, planeswalkers, enchantments, and artifacts) cannot target. Things like Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger actually create a trigger if they need to target something. Auras (a sub group of enchantments) are the exceptions. Auras, per the rules, inherently target based on the subtype. So, it isn't that they say Enchant Creature, Enchant Player, or the like. It is that they are auras and the rules explicitly call them out as an exception to permanent spells not being able to target something. The Enchant <something> clause dictates what the target must be. Here is the rule:
303.4b The object or player an Aura is attached to is called enchanted. The Aura is attached to, or “enchants,” that object or player.
Note that there is an exception to this exception. That is, as mentioned in the rule quoted above, an Aura Spell targets, not the permanent itself. This means that if an Aura is put onto the battlefield through some means other than being cast as a spell, it doesn't target. The controller simply chooses something to attach it to and, if that object is legal, it will become attached. This means you can enchant a hexproof or shroud creature this way (since those abilities only prevent targeting) but not something with Protection. Here is the rule for that:
Aura spells also target the thing/player they are going to enchant. However, if an aura card is just entering the battlefield without being cast as a spell first, like with Souvereign of Lost Alara, then that aura's controller can choose any object/player it can legally enchant and attach it to it. Hexproof and shroud don't interfere here as those ability specifically only care about targeting. Protection, otoh, also prohibits enchanting, so a creature with protection from one of the aura's qualities (like color) is not an object that could be legally enchanted by it.
Also note, that just being affected does not make anything or anyone a target.
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