Does Creating Tokens Trigger ETB? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! Creating a token does trigger “enters the battlefield” (ETB) abilities. This is a fundamental rule in Magic: The Gathering, and understanding it is crucial for strategic gameplay. When a token is created, it’s put directly onto the battlefield, and this action is explicitly defined as “entering the battlefield.” This triggers any abilities that look for permanents, specifically creatures if the token is a creature, entering the battlefield. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and explore the nuances with several examples.
The Fundamentals of Tokens and ETB Effects
The core of this interaction lies within the rules of Magic: The Gathering. Rule 701.6a states: “To create one or more tokens with certain characteristics, put the specified number of tokens with the specified characteristics onto the battlefield. When a token is created, it enters the battlefield.” This is unambiguous. The act of creating a token is the act of it entering the battlefield.
ETB abilities are triggered abilities that trigger when a permanent (in this case, a token) enters the battlefield. These abilities are often indicated by the phrase “When [this permanent] enters the battlefield…” followed by the effect. For example, a card like “Solemn Simulacrum” has an ETB ability that allows you to search your library for a basic land card when it enters the battlefield.
Therefore, if you create a token copy of Solemn Simulacrum, that token will also trigger its ETB ability, allowing you to search for a land. This interaction can be leveraged to create powerful combinations and strategies.
Strategic Implications and Deck Building
Understanding that tokens trigger ETB abilities opens up a wide range of deck-building possibilities. You can build entire strategies around creating tokens and maximizing the value of their ETB effects.
For instance, consider cards like “Panharmonicon.” Panharmonicon doubles the number of times an artifact or creature’s ETB ability triggers. If you combine Panharmonicon with token generation, such as with a card like “Rite of Replication” (kicked), which creates five token copies of a creature, you’ll trigger each creature’s ETB ability twice, leading to a massive advantage.
Similarly, cards that care about creatures entering the battlefield, regardless of whether they are tokens or not, will also benefit. Cards like “Purphoros, God of the Forge,” which deals damage each time a creature enters the battlefield under your control, become incredibly potent when combined with token strategies.
Common Scenarios and Examples
Here are a few common scenarios where the interaction between tokens and ETB effects comes into play:
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Copying Creatures with ETB Abilities: Using cards like “Clone” or “Spark Double” to create token copies of creatures with powerful ETB abilities is a common strategy. These copies will trigger the ETB effect upon entering the battlefield.
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Populate Strategies: The Populate keyword allows you to create a copy of a creature token you control. This copy also enters the battlefield and triggers any relevant ETB abilities.
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Myriad Tokens: While Myriad tokens enter the battlefield attacking and were never declared as attackers, their ETB abilities still trigger. This can be devastating with creatures that have powerful ETB effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between tokens and ETB abilities:
1. Do tokens cause ETB triggers?
Yes, creating a token counts as it entering the battlefield and thus triggers any ETB abilities it possesses or that trigger upon a creature/permanent entering the battlefield.
2. Do token copies enter the battlefield?
Yes, when a token is created as a copy of another permanent, it enters the battlefield as that copy, triggering its ETB abilities.
3. Do tokens trigger when a creature enters the battlefield?
Yes, tokens see other creatures entering the battlefield. If a token has an ability that triggers when a creature enters the battlefield, it will trigger when another token (or non-token creature) enters.
4. Does populate trigger ETB effects?
Yes, the creature token created by populate enters the battlefield and triggers ETB effects.
5. Does populate work on tokens?
Yes, populate specifically copies creature tokens.
6. Does copying a spell count as ETB?
Copying a spell that creates a permanent will cause the resulting permanent to enter the battlefield and trigger ETB effects.
7. Does counterspell prevent ETB?
No, counterspells prevent spells from resolving and entering the battlefield, but they do not stop abilities that have already triggered.
8. Do myriad tokens enter the battlefield?
Yes, Myriad tokens enter the battlefield attacking and their ETB abilities will trigger.
9. Do tokens enter the battlefield with summoning sickness?
If a token is a creature, it will be affected by summoning sickness unless it has haste or you have controlled it continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn.
10. Do clones trigger ETB?
Yes, a clone entering the battlefield as a copy of a creature will trigger the copied creature’s ETB ability.
11. Does create count as entering the battlefield?
Yes, when a token is created, it’s considered to be entering the battlefield.
12. Does proliferate copy tokens?
No, proliferate only adds additional counters to permanents and players that already have counters. It does not create tokens.
13. Do myriad tokens trigger ETB?
Yes, myriad tokens do trigger ETB abilities. Each token created by the myriad ability will cause the ETB effect to trigger.
14. Do ETB triggers happen before the legend rule?
The Legend Rule is a state-based action that is checked before triggers are put on the stack. You choose which legendary permanent to keep and put the others into the graveyard. ETB triggers of the copies that are put into the graveyard will not go on the stack.
15. Is Soulbond an ETB trigger?
Soulbond is a triggered ability that triggers when a creature with Soulbond enters the battlefield.
Conclusion
The interaction between tokens and ETB abilities is a cornerstone of Magic: The Gathering strategy. By understanding the rules and how they interact, you can build powerful decks and execute complex plays. Always be mindful of the ETB triggers your tokens generate and how you can leverage them to gain an advantage over your opponent. Delving into the intricacies of card interactions is what makes Magic so compelling and engaging, much like the exploration of complex systems encouraged by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. As you continue to refine your understanding, you’ll discover new and exciting ways to utilize this fundamental aspect of the game.