Creatures are spells while they are on the stack. However, if they have any triggered abilities as the result of being cast (such as Emrakul) or entering the battlefield (such as Ashen Rider) those are not spells; they are abilities.
Do artifact abilities count as instants?
Activated abilities of permanents can be activated at any time you could play an instant, unless something says otherwise. Abilities of noncreature permanents (including noncreature artifacts) can be activated the turn they enter the battlefield. Only creatures are subject to “summoning sickness.”
What is considered an activated ability in magic?
602.1c An activated ability is the only kind of ability that can be activated. If an object or rule refers to activating an ability without specifying what kind, it must be referring to an activated ability. 602.1d Previously, the action of using an activated ability was referred to on cards as “playing” that ability.
Can you tap an artifact on your opponent’s turn?
Yep. If they have an ability that would do so, there is nothing stopping them (aside from Summoning Sickness, targeting, the usual). Unless you are playing with Area of Effect.
What’s the difference between a spell and an artifact?
Enchantments and artifacts aren’t spells when they’re in play: they’re permanents. They aren’t spells when they’re in their hand, they’re enchantment cards and artifact cards. But they are spells while on the stack (i.e. in the process of being cast).
Are there any creature abilities that are not spells?
No creature abilities are no spells. A spell is a card that has been placed onto the stack and had its cost paid. An ability is something like your Ashen Rider or Emrakul, The Aeons Torn. Ashen Rider can exile the Emrakul because it has an enter the battlefield ability which is not a spell.
When do you play an artifact land in magic?
Artifacts also trigger effects that trigger whenever a spell is played. Lands, on the other hand, do not use the stack, and cannot be countered, and don’t count as spells, and can only be played once per turn. What we realized was that the key to doing these cards was to clarify which set of rules applied when you played an artifact land.
What kind of spells do you use on artifact blast?
For a bit more of an intuitive answer, take a look at the cards Artifact Blast and Arenson’s Aura. These cards only work if artifacts and enchantments are spells while on the stack. Highly active question.
