<p><strong>Yes, Leaf-Crowned Elder's ability allows you to cast Rootgrapple.</strong></p>
<p>The term &quot;creature type&quot; is defined in <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Creature" rel="noreferrer">rule 302.3</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Creature subtypes are always a single word and are listed after a long dash: “Creature — Human Soldier,” “Artifact Creature — Golem,” and so on. <strong>Creature subtypes are also called creature types.</strong> Creatures may have multiple subtypes. See rule 205.3m for the complete list of creature types.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So, when Leaf-Crowned Elder's ability says &quot;creature types&quot;, it is referring to creature subtypes.</p>
<p>In addition, <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Tribal" rel="noreferrer">rule 308.2</a> explicitly states that tribal subtypes are the same as creature subtypes.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Tribal subtypes are always a single word and are listed after a long dash: “Tribal Enchantment — Merfolk.” <strong>The set of tribal subtypes is the same as the set of creature subtypes; these subtypes are called creature types.</strong> Tribals may have multiple subtypes. See rule 205.3m for the complete list of creature types.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-12T23:07:01.030Z
Thank you. By the way, if Elder's rules text had "card subtype" written instead of "creature type", would it be the same?
Pedro A
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-12T23:09:12.357Z
That kind of thing would just say "subtype", and it would work a little differently if you had a creature that was also another type, like artifact. Then it would allow you to cast non-creature artifacts with the same artifact subtype as that artifact creature. For example , if you controlled a Gingerbrute, that alternate ability would allow you to cast Golden Egg.
murgatroid99
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-12T22:56:57.410Z
2021-12-12T22:56:57.410Z
murgatroid99
<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leaf-Crowned%20Elder">Leaf-Crowned Elder</a> has:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kinship — At the beginning of your upkeep, you may look at the top card of your library. If it shares a <strong>creature type</strong> with Leaf-Crowned Elder, you may reveal it. If you do, you may play that card without paying its mana cost.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Leaf-Crowned Elder is a Treefolk Shaman. Does it allow me to cast <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rootgrapple">Rootgrapple</a>, a Tribal Instant — Treefolk, from the top of my deck?</p>
<p>I wouldn't have this doubt if it said <em>subtype</em> instead of <em>creature type</em> (in this case I'd know I can).</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Can I cast Rootgrapple via Leaf-Crowned Elder?
Pedro A
# Can I cast Rootgrapple via Leaf-Crowned Elder?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-12-12)

[Leaf-Crowned Elder](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leaf-Crowned%20Elder) has:

> Kinship — At the beginning of your upkeep, you may look at the top card of your library. If it shares a **creature type** with Leaf-Crowned Elder, you may reveal it. If you do, you may play that card without paying its mana cost.

Leaf-Crowned Elder is a Treefolk Shaman. Does it allow me to cast [Rootgrapple](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rootgrapple), a Tribal Instant — Treefolk, from the top of my deck?

I wouldn't have this doubt if it said *subtype* instead of *creature type* (in this case I'd know I can).

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-12-12. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

**Yes, Leaf-Crowned Elder's ability allows you to cast Rootgrapple.**

The term "creature type" is defined in [rule 302.3](https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Creature):

> Creature subtypes are always a single word and are listed after a long dash: “Creature — Human Soldier,” “Artifact Creature — Golem,” and so on. **Creature subtypes are also called creature types.** Creatures may have multiple subtypes. See rule 205.3m for the complete list of creature types.

So, when Leaf-Crowned Elder's ability says "creature types", it is referring to creature subtypes.

In addition, [rule 308.2](https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Tribal) explicitly states that tribal subtypes are the same as creature subtypes.

> Tribal subtypes are always a single word and are listed after a long dash: “Tribal Enchantment — Merfolk.” **The set of tribal subtypes is the same as the set of creature subtypes; these subtypes are called creature types.** Tribals may have multiple subtypes. See rule 205.3m for the complete list of creature types.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you. By the way, if Elder's rules text had "card subtype" written instead of "creature type", would it be the same?  
> **username_1**: That kind of thing would just say "subtype", and it would work a little differently if you had a creature that was also another type, like artifact. Then it would allow you to cast non-creature artifacts with the same artifact subtype as that artifact creature. For example , if you controlled a Gingerbrute, that alternate ability would allow you to cast Golden Egg.  

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