Damping Matrix

[Public Service]

Hi! Can you plainscycle an eternal dragon with a Damping Matrix in play?

Damping Matrix
 Color= Artifact    Type= Artifact    Cost= 3     MR(R)
Text (MR): Activated abilities of artifacts and creatures can't be played unless they're mana abilities.

So does eternal dragon count as a creature when it's in your hand?

Thanks for your time.

[Jebus]

Yes you can.  The Damping Matrix stops activated, non-mana abilities or Artifacts and Creatures.  This means, Artifact and Creature permanents.

In your hand, Eternal Dragon is not a creature permanent.  It is a Creature Card.  Thus, it is not affected by Damping Matrix.

[Tristal]

Ditto goes for returning it from the graveyard - you can, because in the 'yard, it's a creature CARD, not a creature in play.