Sakashima the Imposter: Bypassing the Legend Rule in Magic: The Gathering
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Does Sakashima the Imposter Get Around the Legend Rule?
Yes, Sakashima the Imposter absolutely gets around the legend rule in Magic: The Gathering! This clever blue creature is a favorite among Commander (EDH) players precisely because of its ability to sidestep this restriction. Sakashima functions as a clone effect, allowing it to enter the battlefield as a copy of another creature you control. Crucially, it retains its own name: Sakashima the Imposter. The legend rule states that if you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name, you must choose one and sacrifice the rest. Because Sakashima keeps its own name, it can coexist with the legendary creature it’s copying, effectively doubling your access to powerful legendary abilities. This is a key component of many Sakashima decks.
Understanding the Legend Rule and Clone Effects
The Nitty-Gritty of Rule 704.5j
The heart of the matter lies in Magic’s comprehensive rules. The legend rule, specifically rule 704.5j, states that if a player controls two or more legendary permanents with the same name, that player chooses one of them, and the rest are put into their owners’ graveyards. This rule is designed to prevent players from overwhelming the board with multiple copies of powerful legendary creatures.
How Clone Effects Typically Interact
“Clone” effects are spells or abilities that allow a permanent to enter the battlefield as a copy of another permanent. Many clones copy everything about the target permanent, including its name. This is where the legend rule usually kicks in when cloning legendary creatures – unless, of course, the clone has a special ability to avoid it, like our friend Sakashima. Standard clones, such as Clone itself, do not bypass the legend rule, which means when they copy a legendary permanent, the legend rule will apply to the duplicates.
Sakashima’s Unique Twist
Sakashima the Imposter and its counterpart, Sakashima of a Thousand Faces, are unique clone variants. They enter the battlefield as a copy of another creature, but, and this is the crucial part, they retain their own name. This is what makes them so valuable. They become a creature with all the abilities of the original, but the distinct name allows them to coexist. You effectively have two copies of the creature’s abilities without violating the legend rule.
Strategic Implications for Commander (EDH)
Doubling Down on Legendary Powerhouses
In Commander, where many decks revolve around a specific legendary creature (the commander), Sakashima provides an invaluable tool for maximizing that creature’s impact. You can copy your commander to double its abilities on the battlefield.
Combo Potential
Sakashima’s ability opens up many combo possibilities. Copying creatures with powerful triggered abilities allows you to trigger them multiple times. The added redundancy reduces your reliance on only having your commander available to you.
Resilience Against Removal
Having two copies of a key creature also makes your strategy more resilient against removal spells. If one creature is targeted, you still have the other to continue your game plan.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
1. If I copy a non-legendary creature with Sakashima, does the legend rule apply?
No, the legend rule only applies to legendary permanents. If you copy a non-legendary creature, you can have as many copies as you want (within the constraints of other game rules, of course).
2. What happens if I copy Sakashima with another clone effect?
If you use another clone effect to copy Sakashima the Imposter, the new clone will enter the battlefield as a copy of whatever Sakashima is currently copying. It will not have Sakashima’s name or ability to copy another creature without the effect of the standard clone wearing off at some point.
3. Can Sakashima copy a creature with protection from blue?
Yes. Sakashima’s ability doesn’t target, so protection from blue is irrelevant. Sakashima can copy any creature you control as it enters the battlefield, regardless of its protection abilities.
4. If Sakashima copies a creature with a static ability, does Sakashima gain that ability?
Yes. When Sakashima copies a creature, it gains all of that creature’s static abilities. A static ability is an ability that is always in effect.
5. What happens if the creature Sakashima is copying leaves the battlefield?
Sakashima remains a copy of that creature until it leaves the battlefield or you use another effect to change it. It will continue to have the copied creature’s abilities, even if the original creature is no longer present.
6. Does Sakashima copy counters on the creature it’s copying?
No. Sakashima copies only the printed values of the creature, unless that creature is already copying something else or is a token. It does not copy any counters or Auras/Equipment attached to the creature.
7. Can I use Sakashima to copy a planeswalker?
No. Sakashima specifically states that it copies a creature. Planeswalkers are a different type of permanent and cannot be targeted by Sakashima’s ability.
8. Can I use Sakashima to copy a creature in my graveyard?
No. Sakashima’s ability only functions as it enters the battlefield. You can only choose a creature already on the battlefield to copy.
9. If I have two Sakashimas copying the same legendary creature, do I have to sacrifice one?
No. Since each Sakashima retains its own name, the legend rule does not apply. Each Sakashima will have the abilities of the copied creature.
10. Does Sakashima trigger “enters the battlefield” abilities of the creature it copies?
Yes. When Sakashima enters the battlefield as a copy of another creature, it will trigger any “enters the battlefield” abilities that the copied creature has.
11. Can I use Sakashima to copy a token creature?
Yes, Sakashima can copy a token creature. It will copy the characteristics of the token as defined by the effect that created it.
12. Does Sakashima copy the mana cost of the creature it copies?
No. Sakashima copies the characteristics of the creature, but not its mana cost. Sakashima’s mana cost remains the same, regardless of what it copies.
13. If I control Mirror Gallery, does the legend rule still apply to Sakashima copies?
With Mirror Gallery in play, the legend rule is entirely nullified. You can have any number of legendary permanents with the same name, including multiple copies of Sakashima copying the same legendary creature.
14. If a creature copied by Sakashima has an activated ability, can I use it?
Yes. Sakashima copies all abilities of the chosen creature, including activated abilities. You can use these abilities as long as you can pay their costs.
15. Where can I learn more about the strategic elements of games and learning?
You can explore resources from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource for understanding the intersection of games and learning, providing insights into how game mechanics and design principles can be used to enhance educational outcomes.
Conclusion: Sakashima, the Master Imposter
Sakashima the Imposter is a powerful and versatile card in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in Commander. Its ability to bypass the legend rule makes it a valuable asset for any deck looking to amplify the power of legendary creatures. By understanding the intricacies of clone effects and the legend rule, you can leverage Sakashima to create innovative strategies and dominate the battlefield.