<p>No, those effects do not <strong><em>target</em></strong> a creature. The sorcery or instant card must specifically say that it <strong><em>targets</em></strong> a creature to trigger Heroic effects. Enchantment Aura cards also target a creature, although they may not say so explicitly on the card.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-25T22:15:34.723Z
Ah yes, I suspected as much. My roommate got all angry with me for being "overly technical" but I think he's just upset I blew his deck strategy apart.
Fr33dan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-25T22:44:58.953Z
This is exactly what makes Cyclonic Rift a staple card for RTR/Theros standard's blue devotion decks. Hexproof and protection care about targeting. Cyclonic Rift doesn't target. It just gets rid of everything. *Everything.* (except lands)
doppelgreener
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T00:14:36.260Z
@JonathanHobbs Cyclonic Rift doesn't target only when it is **overloaded**, just to be clear
bengoesboom
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T00:22:09.990Z
@bengoesboom Right, yes. :) Good correction!
doppelgreener
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T14:50:52.557Z
Clarification: Enchantment Aura _spells_ target a creature; Enchantment Aura _permanents_ do not.
Brian S
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-10T11:14:43.967Z
@Fr33dan "Overly technical" is basically the only way to interpret Magic cards in a consistent manner.
xLeitix
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-25T22:13:15.700Z
2014-02-25T22:13:15.700Z
bengoesboom
<p>If I have a creature or multiple creatures that have a heroic ability and I activate a sorcery or instant that has an effect to "creatures you control" will this trigger the heroic ability?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T06:18:48.867Z
Targeting requires the word "target". Note that some keyword abilities represent abilities that use the word "target", and note that Auras target what they will enchant when they're on the stack because the word "target" is used in the rules for casting Auras.
ikegami
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T14:25:37.663Z
@ikegami I suspected as much, although another related question arises, what about an overloaded spell? As a normal spell it obviously would trigger since it says target. If I'm understanding this correctly given though since definition of overload removes the word target from the card it would not trigger anymore.
Fr33dan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T14:27:40.030Z
That's exactly right
ikegami
<magic-the-gathering>
Do cards that say "creatures you control" trigger Heroic?
Fr33dan
# Do cards that say "creatures you control" trigger Heroic?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-25)

If I have a creature or multiple creatures that have a heroic ability and I activate a sorcery or instant that has an effect to "creatures you control" will this trigger the heroic ability?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Targeting requires the word "target". Note that some keyword abilities represent abilities that use the word "target", and note that Auras target what they will enchant when they're on the stack because the word "target" is used in the rules for casting Auras.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I suspected as much, although another related question arises, what about an overloaded spell? As a normal spell it obviously would trigger since it says target. If I'm understanding this correctly given though since definition of overload removes the word target from the card it would not trigger anymore.  
> **username_1**: That's exactly right  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-02-25. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

No, those effects do not ***target*** a creature. The sorcery or instant card must specifically say that it ***targets*** a creature to trigger Heroic effects. Enchantment Aura cards also target a creature, although they may not say so explicitly on the card.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Ah yes, I suspected as much. My roommate got all angry with me for being "overly technical" but I think he's just upset I blew his deck strategy apart.  
> **username_3**: This is exactly what makes Cyclonic Rift a staple card for RTR/Theros standard's blue devotion decks. Hexproof and protection care about targeting. Cyclonic Rift doesn't target. It just gets rid of everything. *Everything.* (except lands)  
> **username_2**: @JonathanHobbs Cyclonic Rift doesn't target only when it is **overloaded**, just to be clear  
> **username_3**: @username_2 Right, yes. :) Good correction!  
> **username_4**: Clarification: Enchantment Aura _spells_ target a creature; Enchantment Aura _permanents_ do not.  
> **username_5**: @username_0 "Overly technical" is basically the only way to interpret Magic cards in a consistent manner.  

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