Here's the difference:
* Removing from play means the card is taken out of the game and placed in a separate location, usually a player's hand or face-down in their field zone. The card is not destroyed and can potentially be played again later.
* Destroying a card means the card is permanently removed from the game, either by being sent to the graveyard or banished. It cannot be used again.
Examples of Removing from Play:
* "Return to the Hand" effects: These effects remove a card from play and send it back to the player's hand.
* "Remove from Play" effects: These effects remove a card from play and place it in a separate location, usually face-down on the field.
* "Banish" effects: Some cards can be banished, which removes them from play and places them in a separate zone called the banished zone.
Examples of Destroying:
* "Destroy" effects: Many cards have effects that destroy other cards, sending them to the graveyard.
* "Send to the Graveyard" effects: These effects directly send a card to the graveyard, making it unusable.
Key takeaway: Removing from play is a temporary effect that allows a card to be used again, while destroying is a permanent effect that removes a card from the game.