Can you move a unit (specifically with Charm) even if it's exhausted, including between battlefields?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. Charm (a spell) can move an exhausted enemy unit, and a spell can move a unit between battlefields unless the spell itself imposes destination restrictions or the destination is illegal (for example, a battlefield already containing units from two other players). Moves caused by spells are not the unit's Standard Move and therefore do not require exhausting the unit as a cost. [444.1] [144.2] [444.2] [447.1]

You may target and move an exhausted unit with Charm. Because Charm is a spell that causes a Move, the spell—not the unit’s Standard Move—governs the move. The Standard Move’s cost of exhausting the unit applies only to that action [144.2], so it does not prevent a spell-created Move. The only built-in prohibition on spell-caused Moves in the provided rules is that units cannot be moved to a Battlefield that already has units from two other players [444.2]. A spell-caused Move can move a unit between battlefields (unless the spell’s text restricts destinations) and such a Move can open a Combat if it makes a Battlefield contested [447.1]. If the destination or target becomes illegal as the spell resolves, those instructions are ignored for that target per the targeting rules [359.3.e.5] [359.3.e.6].

You play Charm and choose an enemy unit as the spell's target (spell must be able to legally target the chosen unit at the time of targeting). When resolving, follow the spell's instruction to Move that unit. Because this Move is created by a spell (not the unit using its Standard Move), you do not need to exhaust the unit to Move it; exhausting is only the cost for a Unit's Standard Move [144.2] [444.1]. Choose a legal destination allowed by the spell (if Charm gives no destination text, choose any legal destination consistent with the game’s movement restrictions; the spell’s source controls any additional restrictions) [444.1]. Ensure the destination is legal: you cannot move a unit to a Battlefield that already has units from 2 other players [444.2]. Execute the Move. If the Move makes the Battlefield contested (or brings opposing units into a Battlefield with an ongoing Showdown), a Combat is opened per the Combat rules [447.1]. If, as the spell resolves, the target or the chosen instruction becomes illegal (for example, the target changed to a non-board zone), that target is unaffected and instructions that can't be followed are ignored [359.3.e.5] [359.3.e.6].

If the target is moved to a non-board zone (banished, put into hand, deck, etc.) before Charm resolves, it ceases to be the same game object and the targeting relationship is severed; the spell will not Move that object and that instruction is ignored per [359.3.e.5]. If the target remains the same object but is no longer a legal target for some other reason when Charm resolves (e.g., ownership or controller changes that make it ineligible), that target is unaffected by the spell as it resolves per [359.3.e.5]. If moving the unit to a chosen battlefield would place it on a battlefield that already has units from two other players, that destination is illegal and the Move cannot put it there per [444.2]. A spell-caused Move between battlefields can open a Combat if it makes the destination battlefield contested, so be prepared for Combat resolution consequences [447.1]. If Charm’s text (not provided here) actually specifies a destination (for example, “Move an enemy unit to its base”), that printed restriction overrides the general interpretation here per [444.1].

Short answer: Yes — Charm can Move an exhausted unit, including between battlefields, so long as the destination is legal. Reasoning: The rule that exhausting a unit is the cost for moving it applies to the Unit's Standard Move (the unit’s own action) [144.2]. Spells and abilities can create Moves themselves; when they do, the spell or ability specifies any destination legality rules it imposes [444.1]. Because Charm is a spell whose text (as provided) simply reads "Move an enemy unit," that Move is created by the spell and is not the unit performing its Standard Move, so the exhaustion-cost for the Standard Move does not apply [144.2] [444.1]. The only explicit universal prohibition given for spell-caused Moves in the provided rules is that a unit cannot be moved to a Battlefield that already has units from two other players present [444.2]. Therefore a spell can move a unit between battlefields unless the spell itself restricts destinations or the destination is illegal under [444.2]. Also note that a Move caused by a spell can open Combat if it makes the destination Battlefield contested [447.1]. Finally, normal targeting rules apply: if the target becomes an illegal target (for example, it leaves the board) before Charm resolves, that target will be unaffected and the instruction is ignored [359.3.e.5] [359.3.e.6]. For clarity, this ruling assumes the provided text of Charm contains no additional destination restrictions; if Charm had a printed destination limitation, that text would control per [444.1]. Additional topical clarifications about targeting relationships and spells are illustrated in the provided FAQ examples (e.g. [FAQ:unleashed#22]) which explain how targets remain chosen while on the board and how non-board-zone changes sever those relationships.