Song of the Dryads and Hexproof?
Asked by corndog36 6 years ago
A friend of mine is adamant that Song of the Dryads gets around hexproof because the card says "enchant permanant" not "enchant target permanant". I told him that Auras don't say "enchant target (whatever)" but they target when you cast them, but he doesn't believe me.
I want to add a bit of an addendum to what Gidgetimer said: Auras only target when they are being cast. If you cheat an aura into play, such as with The Ur-Dragon, you can attach it to a creature with hexproof, as the aura merely attaches without having targeted the hexproofed creature.
303.4f If an Aura is entering the battlefield under a players control by any means other than by resolving as an Aura spell, and the effect putting it onto the battlefield doesnt 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 Auras enchant ability and any other applicable effects.
(Note the lack of the word "Target" in this rule)
February 22, 2018 10:12 a.m. Edited.
Thank you very much, if we get two or three more answers as succinct and definitive as yours, I think he might be convinced.
February 22, 2018 10:15 a.m.
I am curious, what exactly is his reason for holding out, despite being informed of the rules on this subject? I would be happy to address any lingering concerns he might have.
February 22, 2018 10:26 a.m.
He plays with a group of players that are far more experienced than I am, and apparently they are all convinced that Song of the Dryads gets around hexproof. This thread should resolve the issue quite effectively.
February 22, 2018 10:35 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #6
You are unlikely to get many more answers, I answered the question and provided the comprehensive rules reference. cdkime provided further clarification that auras are only "aura spells" when on the stack in case you didn't realize that "___ spell" always refers to an object on the stack and didn't see the part in 114.1b where it said "An Aura permanent doesn't target anything" or didn't realize the implications of those two things.
Your friend needs to realize that the rules of magic are exceedingly precise about their language. You can blink auras and attach them to any legal permanent because they don't target when they come in, but aura SPELLS always target.
February 22, 2018 10:35 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #7
Just tell your buddy that the literal rules of the game override whatever his other playgroup thinks, no matter how experienced they are.
February 22, 2018 10:37 a.m.
Hopefully they'll see reason and bow to the rules. The Magic rules are artfully written--comprehensive and clear. My job would be a lot easier if lawmakers were half as good at their job as Garfield, Rosewater, and the rest of the team are.
As a sidebar, be sure to mark Gidgetimer's answer as the "accepted answer." This will keep the Rules Q & A section from being overly-cluttered.
February 22, 2018 11:02 a.m.
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #9
As much as I hate to say it, sometimes you have to be heavy-handed about stuff like this. I've had a spat or two with playgroups before that refused to follow the rules. I just have to tell them that when I sit down to play Magic: the Gathering with them, that I expect to be playing Magic: the Gathering, not their slapdash made-up card game that happens to use MTG cards. I make it clear that if they're not willing to play by the rules, I'm not willing to play with them.
Gidgetimer says... Accepted answer #1
You are correct. Here is the rule from the comprehensive rules to back it up.
114.1b Aura spells are always targeted. These are the only permanent spells with targets. An Auras 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 doesnt target anything; only the spell is targeted. (An activated or triggered ability of an Aura permanent can also be targeted.)
February 22, 2018 10:05 a.m.