Are exiled and removed from the game the same thing?
Asked by Koopageneral 5 years ago
I am not sure if these two are the same and want some clarification.
You didn't answer his question. The real answer is yes AND no.
Cards that give you cards work by giving you cards from "outside the game" ( Burning Wish ) work as cdkime described. They are actually taking cards not in any zone of the game, and giving you access to them. As stated before me, in competitive play you can only grab cards from your sideboard, while in casual play you can bring any card you own into the game (that you can get without leaving the building, obviously).
Most cards with this effect use the phrasing: "Choose a (type) card you own from outside the game, and put into (X zone)." It is sometimes phrased different for multiple cards, like on Spawnsire of Ulamog .
However, there are a lot of old cards that were printed saying things like "remove target creature from the game." (Old Swords to Plowshares) This "removed from the game" was replaced with the Exile zone, and all cards that were printed with this text have been errata'ed to say Exile ( Swords to Plowshares ).
Since you asked about "removed from the game" rather than "outside the game" I take it that that was your question, so, yes, "removed from the game" is the same as exile, even though exile is now part of the game.
June 28, 2019 4:22 p.m.
To add:
When in doubt, look up the card on gatherer.wizards.com. That will have the updated Oracle text, so you don't have to figure out whether it's talking about exile or not.
June 28, 2019 4:26 p.m.
sonnet666 is correct--evidently I was not reading your question carefully enough.
Caerwyn says... #1
They are not the same things. In today's Magic, there are seven zones--(1) the library; (2) the hand; (3) the battlefield; (4) the graveyard; (5) the stack; (6) the command zone; and (7) exile. Some older cards refer to an eighth zone--the ante zone, but this zone has been discontinued and every card that utilizes the ante zone is banned in every level of play. There is also at least one un-set card that adds a new zone, but that does not really count.
Outside the game refers to a card that exists outside of those 7 (or possibly more if playing for Ante or with Un-cards) zones. Since Exile is one of the zones zone, it is, by definition, within the game. In tournament play, the card you "wish" (the term for pulling a card from outside the game) for must come from your deck's sideboard.
June 28, 2019 3:40 p.m.