Retrace spells and their game zone

[Telperion]

It is my understanding that retrace spells, when played from the graveyard, behave like all other spells and are not in any zone while on the stack. My two related questions are as follows:

1. If the above postulate it true, then one cannot surgical/crypt away a retrace card while its on the stack?

2. Say there is a Flame Jab in the graveyard and then the opponent of the Flame Jab owner's hard casts a Leyline of the Void. Does the Flame Jab get exiled next time it is retraced?

[thefringthing]

First of all, the stack is a zone.

1. Yes.

2. Yes, along with the land discarded to cast it.

[cdr]

What thefringthing said. Also, cards are never "nowhere", they're always in a zone. (Or maybe outside the game ala sideboard cards to be retrieved by Wishes.)

[TerribleTim68]

What thefringthing said. Also, cards are never "nowhere", they're always in a zone. (Or maybe outside the game ala sideboard cards to be retrieved by Wishes.)

Umm, cards are some times "no where". Such as a card exiled to Chrome Mox. Otherwise you'd still be able to wish for that exiled card. So if it is "Removed From The Game", it is pretty much "no where", right? I think the official ruling is that "Removed From The Game" is NOT a zone, thus "no where". :wink: :tongue:

[Koby]

Umm, cards are some times "no where". Such as a card exiled to Chrome Mox. Otherwise you'd still be able to wish for that exiled card. So if it is "Removed From The Game", it is pretty much "no where", right? I think the official ruling is that "Removed From The Game" is NOT a zone, thus "no where". :wink: :tongue:

"Removed from Game" has been changed to being called "Exile", and cards referring to RFG have been errata'd for it. Please use the current Oracle text of the cards. Cards like Chrome Mox will now read: "Imprint - Exile a non-artifact, non-land card from your hand." All cards will end up in a specific game zone. The Sideboard, is also a specific game "zone", and can be interacted with cards like the Wishes and Research.

[TerribleTim68]

...All cards will end up in a specific game zone. ....

See, that's the funny part. I had a judge in a tournament tell me that "Exiled" (or removed from game, either way) is NOT a "zone" and that is why it can't be targeted with a wish. According to him, if it was a "zone" it could be targeted. So that's why I said "no where". The judge told me it isn't a zone. :eyebrow:

[Koby]

See, that's the funny part. I had a judge in a tournament tell me that "Exiled" (or removed from game, either way) is NOT a "zone" and that is why it can't be targeted with a wish. According to him, if it was a "zone" it could be targeted. So that's why I said "no where". The judge told me it isn't a zone. :eyebrow:

Exile is a zone. The Wishes have also received errata to NOT allow their interaction with Exile. The Wishes still refer to "cards outside the game" = Sideboard. The judge who made the ruling was incorrect. Always refer to the current Oracle text of the card when in doubt.

Burning Wish
Sorcery, 1R
You may choose a sorcery card you own from outside the game, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. Exile Burning Wish.

10/4/2004: Can't acquire the Ante cards. They are considered still "in the game" as are cards in the library and the graveyard.
5/1/2007: The choice is optional.
5/1/2007: If you fail to find something, you still exile this.
9/16/2007: Can't acquire cards that are phased out.
10/1/2009: You can't acquire exiled cards because those cards are still in one of the game's zones.
10/1/2009: In a sanctioned event, a card that's "outside the game" is one that's in your sideboard. In an unsanctioned event, you may choose any card from your collection.

[xeraseth]

How about card that are up for Ante? Is there an ante zone?

[Koby]

How about card that are up for Ante? Is there an ante zone?

http://www.yawgatog.com/resources/magic-rules/#R4