Cultural Exchange says, "Choose any number of creatures target player controls."
Does this target those permanents?
No, the only target in that sentence is the target player. (And the next sentence in the text requires another target player.)
115.1a An instant or sorcery spell is targeted if its spell ability identifies something it will affect by using the phrase “target [something],” where the “something” is a phrase that describes an object and/or player. The target(s) are chosen as the spell is cast; see rule 601.2c. (If an activated or triggered ability of an instant or sorcery uses the word target, that ability is targeted, but the spell is not.)
115.10. 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.”
115.10a 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.
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Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
115.10. 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.”
Spells or abilities that affect ALL creatures or ALL lands would be examples of this. Are there other ways that spells can affect objects or players besides TARGET something or ALL somethings?
Spells or abilities that affect ALL creatures or ALL lands would be examples of this. Are there other ways that spells can affect objects or players besides TARGET something or ALL somethings?
Cultural Exchange affects the chosen creatures. Aether Flash affects the creature that triggered it. Atog affects itself. Azorius Chancery affects a land you control (as you choose during the ability's resolution). Curfew has each player choose a creature they control to be affected.
They do what they say they do.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
Does this target those permanents?
No, the only target in that sentence is the target player. (And the next sentence in the text requires another target player.)
They do what they say they do.