I need some help clarifying what a spell is.
Asked by Redcat7264 5 years ago
I understand that a spell is a card on the stack as long as it comes from somewhere outside the field. And I also understand that abilities aren't spell. So if I have Yisan, the Wanderer Bard would the card entering the battlefield be counted as a spell?
Flashback is alternative method of casting a card. It's effectively the same as casting from your hand, but with some zone differences:
When casting from your hand, the card goes from your Hand to the Stack to the Graveyard.
When using Flashback, the card goes from your Graveyard to the Stack to Exile.
Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #1
You are understanding incorrectly. The stack is used when you cast spells or activate/trigger abilities. Casting a spell is the process of putting the card from one Zone (usually your Hand), putting the card on the Stack (a separate zone), and then the spell resolving and being put into the appropriate zone (Battlefield for non-land permanents; graveyard for instants/sorceries; lands don't use the stack, and just go to the battlefield).
Cards like Yisan, the Wanderer Bard that say "put it onto the battlefield" move the card directly from one zone to the Battlefield without it ever entering the Stack Zone.
Compare to a card like Bring to Light. Bring to Light moves the card from the Library to Exile, and then allows you to cast the card for free as part of the resolution. This would make the card a spell, as it is being cast and put onto the stack.
September 28, 2018 11:55 a.m. Edited.