DoesItResolve Unofficial Magic rules reference

Historical Rules · Effective 1 October 2009

Section 109: Objects

Read Section 109 continuously, or open any rule on its dedicated page.

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Chapter 1 · Game Concepts

Section 109

109. Objects

10 rules

  1. 109.1

    An object is an ability on the stack, a card, a copy of a card, a token, a spell, or a permanent.

  2. 109.2

    If a spell or ability uses a description of an object that includes a card type or subtype, but doesn't include the word "card," "spell," or "source," it means a permanent of that card type or subtype on the battlefield.

    1. 109.2a

      If a spell or ability uses a description of an object that includes the word "card" and the name of a zone, it means a card matching that description in the stated zone.

    2. 109.2b

      If a spell or ability uses a description of an object that includes the word "spell," it means a spell matching that description on the stack.

    3. 109.2c

      If a spell or ability uses a description of an object that includes the word "source," it means a source matching that description -- either a source of an ability or a source of damage -- in any zone. See rule 609.7.

  3. 109.3

    An object's characteristics are name, mana cost, color, card type, subtype, supertype, expansion symbol, rules text, abilities, power, toughness, loyalty, hand modifier, and life modifier. Objects can have some or all of these characteristics. Any other information about an object isn't a characteristic. For example, characteristics don't include whether a permanent is tapped, a spell's target, an object's owner or controller, what an Aura enchants, and so on.

  4. 109.4

    Only objects on the stack or on the battlefield have a controller. Objects that are neither on the stack nor on the battlefield aren't controlled by any player. See rule 108.4. There are two exceptions to this rule:

    1. 109.4a

      In a Planar Magic game, a face-up plane card is controlled by the player designated as the planar controller. This is usually the active player. See rule 901.6.

    2. 109.4b

      In a Vanguard game, each vanguard card is controlled by its owner. See rule 902.6.

  5. 109.5

    The words "you" and "your" on an object refer to the object's controller, its would-be controller (if a player is attempting to cast or activate it), or its owner (if it has no controller). For a static ability, this is the current controller of the object it's on. For an activated ability, this is the player who activated the ability. For a triggered ability, this is the controller of the object when the ability triggered, unless it's a delayed triggered ability. For a delayed triggered ability, this is the controller of the spell or ability that created it.