In Magic: The Gathering (MTG) it’s important to know if enchantments and artifacts are considered spells for gameplay strategy especially when it comes to counter spells like “Cancel”. According to the official MTG rules a “spell” is any card on the stack which is the phase between being a card in a player’s hand and being a permanent on the battlefield. This definition includes all non land cards including enchantments and artifacts during their casting.
So enchantments and artifacts are considered spells on the stack. This means they can be countered by spells like “Cancel” which says “Counter target spell”. Note that once these cards resolve and become permanents on the battlefield they are no longer considered spells and can’t be targeted by “Cancel”.
Lands are the exception to this rule. Lands don’t use the stack and go directly from being a card to a permanent on the battlefield. So they are never considered spells and can’t be countered by “Cancel”.
From the official rules:
111.1. A spell is a card on the stack. As the first step of being cast (see rule 601, “Casting Spells”), the card becomes a spell and is moved to the top of the stack from the zone it was in, which is usually its owner’s hand. (See rule 405, “Stack.”) A spell remains on the stack as a spell until it resolves (see rule 608, “Resolving Spells and Abilities”), is countered (see rule 701.5), or otherwise leaves the stack. For more information, see section 6, “Spells, Abilities, and Effects.”
However, lands are not considered spells. They are a special case in Magic.
305.1. A player who has priority may play a land card from his or her hand during a main phase of his or her turn when the stack is empty. Playing a land is a special action; it doesn’t use the stack (see rule 115). Rather, the player simply puts the land onto the battlefield. Since the land doesn’t go on the stack, it is never a spell, and players can’t respond to it with instants or activated abilities.
Wrapping Up
This understanding is crucial for MTG players, as it informs how different card types interact and can be affected by various spells during the game. It also highlights the strategic importance of timing when using counter spells, as they can only target enchantments, artifacts, and other non-land cards while they are being cast, not after they have become permanents on the battlefield.
