Do Copies Get ETB Triggers in Magic: The Gathering? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! When a card copies another permanent and enters the battlefield, any enters-the-battlefield (ETB) triggers of the copied permanent will trigger. It’s one of the most fundamental interactions in Magic: The Gathering, and understanding it is crucial for strategic play. Clone effects are replacement effects that change how your clone enters the battlefield. If you copy something with an ETB trigger, the game “sees” a copy of that creature entering the battlefield and the ETB trigger goes on the stack.
This interaction adds a layer of complexity and versatility to decks using copy effects. Cards like Clone, Spark Double, and Altered Ego become significantly more valuable when you can reliably trigger powerful ETB abilities multiple times. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of this mechanic and explore some related questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Copies and ETB Triggers
1. How do ETB triggers work in general?
ETB triggers, short for enters-the-battlefield triggers, are abilities that automatically activate when a permanent enters the battlefield. They are written using phrases like “When [this permanent] enters the battlefield…” or “Whenever [this permanent] enters the battlefield…”. These abilities go directly onto the stack, and players can respond to them before they resolve. A classic example is Circuit Mender, which triggers an ability that gains you 2 life upon ETB. The ability goes straight to the stack and then resolves.
2. What exactly is meant by “copying” in Magic: The Gathering?
Copying in Magic: The Gathering refers to creating a new permanent or spell that is a duplicate of an existing one. Copy effects can be found on various cards and may create a token or a non-token permanent. The new permanent copies the printed characteristics of the original, as well as any other copy effects that have modified it. Crucially, it does not copy counters or other modifications like Auras and Equipment unless explicitly stated in the copy effect itself.
3. Do copies of legendary creatures trigger the Legend Rule?
Yes, copies of legendary creatures are also subject to the Legend Rule. If you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name, you must choose one to keep, and the others are put into the graveyard. Critically, the Legend Rule is checked after the ETB triggers have been put onto the stack. This means that even if one of the legendary creatures is sacrificed due to the Legend Rule, its ETB ability will still resolve. Therefore, any effect that would trigger from this goes on the stack. Before a player would gain priority to try to do anything, the game checks a bunch of conditions (in order) that would trigger a state-based action.
4. If I copy a creature with +1/+1 counters, does the copy have those counters?
No, copies generally do not copy counters. When a permanent becomes a copy of another permanent, it only copies the original characteristics as printed on the card and any other continuous effects that are modifying those characteristics. Counters are a separate game object that is not part of the copiable values. For example, if you then choose a creature to copy as you apply the replacement effect Altered Ego gains by copying Clone, Altered Ego’s replacement effect won’t cause it to enter the battlefield with any +1/+1 counters on it.
5. Does copying a spell count as casting a spell for effects like Storm?
No, copying a spell is not the same as casting a spell. Abilities like Storm only trigger when a spell is cast, not when it is copied. Therefore, copying a spell with Storm will create a copy of that spell, but it will not trigger the Storm ability again. To copy a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability means to put a copy of it onto the stack; a copy of a spell isn’t cast and a copy of an activated ability isn’t activated. The only spell being cast when you use storm is the card with storm on it.
6. Does “flickering” a creature re-trigger its ETB ability?
Yes, flickering (exiling a creature and then returning it to the battlefield) will indeed re-trigger its ETB ability. When a creature is exiled and returns, it is considered a new object entering the battlefield, and its ETB ability will activate again. Anything with a splashy ETB trigger is a perfect blink or flicker target, as you’ll get even more value out of it for relatively little effort.
7. Does phasing a creature trigger ETB or leave-the-battlefield (LTB) effects?
Phasing does not trigger ETB or LTB effects. When a permanent phases out, it is treated as though it doesn’t exist, but it hasn’t actually left the battlefield. Similarly, when it phases in, it is merely reappearing on the battlefield, not entering it anew. Because the permanent didn’t change zones, nothing left or entered the battlefield.
8. Can I copy a creature with Hexproof or Shroud?
Yes, you can copy a creature with Hexproof or Shroud. Copy effects, like that of Clone, do not target. Because these effects do not target, they bypass Hexproof and Shroud, allowing you to copy the creature regardless of these protective abilities. Cursed mirror and other clone effects in the same general style do not target and thus effectively bypass hexproof, protection, or shroud.
9. What happens if I copy a Planeswalker?
You can copy a Planeswalker, but there are some rules to be aware of. The Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule functions similarly to the Legend Rule. If you control two or more Planeswalkers with the same Planeswalker type (indicated in the type line, e.g., “Jace”), you must choose one to keep and the others are put into the graveyard. Effects that copy permanent spells result in tokens once the copy of the spell resolves.
10. I copied a Spark Double; what happens if I copy it again?
Spark Double enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter if it copied a creature. If you copy that Spark Double again, the second copy will be a copy of the original Spark Double, meaning it will copy the creature and enter with a new +1/+1 counter. After the change, copying the Vanilla Spark Double a second time will erase all previous counters.
11. Does copying a creature trigger Cascade?
No, Cascade is not an ETB trigger. Cascade is a triggered ability that triggers when you cast the card with Cascade. Since copying a creature does not involve casting a spell with Cascade, the Cascade ability will not trigger.
12. Do triggered abilities like “dies” or “leaves the battlefield” activate when the Legend Rule is applied?
Yes, triggered abilities that trigger upon a permanent “dying” or “leaving the battlefield” will activate when the Legend Rule is applied. When a legendary permanent is put into the graveyard due to the Legend Rule, it is considered to have died or left the battlefield.
13. If a copy is created when another spell is resolving, does it go on the stack?
No, copies created during the resolution of a spell do not go on the stack. They are simply put directly onto the battlefield. This means that they cannot be responded to directly, although their ETB abilities still go on the stack and can be responded to.
14. Can you copy an Aura or Equipment attached to a creature?
While you can copy an Aura or Equipment if the effect allows you to copy an enchantment or artifact, the copy will not automatically be attached to the creature that the original was attached to. Auras must target a valid permanent as they enter the battlefield, and Equipments must be equipped using their Equip ability or another effect.
15. Is Animate Dead considered an ETB trigger?
No, Animate Dead is not an ETB trigger. Animate Dead is an Aura enchantment that targets a creature card in a graveyard. When Animate Dead enters the battlefield, it brings the enchanted creature to the battlefield. While the reanimated creature benefits from the enchantment and therefore could have an ETB, Animate Dead itself does not provide it.
Conclusion
Understanding how copies interact with ETB triggers is vital for mastering Magic: The Gathering. This nuanced interaction can lead to powerful combos and strategic advantages, making copy effects valuable additions to many deck archetypes. Always consider the implications of copying a creature and the potential for exploiting ETB triggers to gain an edge over your opponent.
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