Is Clone an ETB in Magic: The Gathering? Unraveling Copy Effects and Triggers
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In the intricate world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), understanding how different card abilities interact is crucial for both casual and competitive play. The question of whether a Clone effect is an Enter the Battlefield (ETB) trigger is a common point of confusion.
The Direct Answer: No, Clone itself is not an ETB trigger. However, the act of a Clone entering the battlefield can trigger ETB abilities depending on what it copies. A Clone is a spell that creates a copy of a creature already on the battlefield. When the Clone enters the battlefield, it becomes a copy of the chosen creature, inheriting its characteristics and abilities. If the creature being copied has an ETB ability, that ability will trigger when the Clone enters as a copy of that creature.
Understanding Clone Effects and ETB Abilities
To fully grasp this concept, let’s delve deeper into Clone effects and how they interact with ETB abilities.
What is an ETB Ability?
An ETB ability, short for “Enter the Battlefield” ability, is a type of triggered ability that automatically activates when a permanent enters the battlefield. These abilities are easily identifiable by phrases such as “When [this permanent] enters the battlefield, …” or “As [this permanent] enters the battlefield, …“. ETB abilities provide immediate value or create an effect upon the permanent’s arrival. Examples include drawing cards, dealing damage, or creating tokens.
How Clone Effects Work
Clone effects are unique in that they don’t inherently trigger anything upon resolution of the Clone spell itself. Instead, they create a replacement effect that modifies how the Clone enters the battlefield. The Clone spell searches for a target on the battlefield to duplicate, but it does not affect the creature.
The Interaction: Clone and ETB Triggers
The key is understanding that the Clone becomes a copy of the target creature as it enters the battlefield. This is crucial because the game “sees” a copy of that creature entering. If the copied creature has an ETB ability, that ability triggers.
Example: Let’s say there’s a “Solemn Simulacrum” on the battlefield. Solemn Simulacrum has the ETB ability that allows you to search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. If you cast “Clone” and choose to copy “Solemn Simulacrum”, when the Clone enters the battlefield, it enters as a copy of “Solemn Simulacrum”. Therefore, the ETB ability of “Solemn Simulacrum” triggers, allowing you to search for a basic land card.
Important Considerations
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Choosing Not to Copy: If you choose not to copy anything with the Clone, it enters the battlefield as a 0/0 Shapeshifter and will likely be immediately put into the graveyard due to having 0 toughness.
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Legend Rule: If you copy a legendary creature you control with a Clone, the Legend Rule will apply. You must choose one of the legendary creatures to keep, and the other will be put into the graveyard. The ETB ability of the Clone copying the legendary creature will still trigger before one is sacrificed due to the Legend Rule.
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“As it Enters” Abilities: Clone effects also copy abilities that begin with “As [this creature] enters the battlefield…”, such as choosing a color for “Meddling Mage” or a number of counters for a creature entering with counters.
FAQs: Clone Effects and ETB Abilities
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between Clone effects and ETB abilities:
1. Does copying a creature with an ETB ability trigger that ability?
Yes, when a Clone enters the battlefield as a copy of a creature with an ETB ability, that ability triggers.
2. If I Clone my opponent’s creature with an ETB, who controls the ETB ability?
You control the ETB ability because the Clone, and therefore the copied ability, is under your control.
3. What happens if I Clone a creature with an ETB that targets?
The triggered ability will trigger and you will choose the target as the controller of the ability.
4. If I Clone a creature with an ETB that creates tokens, do I get the tokens?
Yes, you get the tokens because the ETB ability is under your control.
5. Does the Legend Rule affect whether the ETB ability triggers when I Clone a legendary creature?
No, the ETB ability still triggers. The choice of which legendary permanent to keep due to the Legend Rule is made after the ETB ability is put on the stack.
6. If I Clone a creature that has an ETB that counters a spell, can I counter the Clone spell itself?
No, you cannot counter the Clone spell itself because the ETB ability only triggers after the Clone has resolved and entered the battlefield.
7. Can I respond to an ETB trigger created by a Clone effect?
Yes, ETB triggers are put on the stack and players can respond to them as with any other triggered ability.
8. Does a Clone copy counters on the creature it copies?
No, a Clone copies the base characteristics of the creature, but not counters unless specified by the card being copied (e.g., if the copied creature has an ability that states it enters with counters).
9. If a creature has an ETB ability that makes me sacrifice it at the end of the turn, does my Clone also get sacrificed?
Yes, since the Clone copies all the original creature’s abilities, it will have the delayed trigger requiring you to sacrifice it at the end of the turn.
10. If I Clone a creature with an ETB that makes me gain life, do I gain life?
Yes, you will gain life because the ETB ability triggers and is under your control.
11. What happens if I Clone a creature with an ETB that requires a choice?
As the controller of the ETB ability, you make the choice.
12. Does cloning a creature that is a token cause the clone to be a token?
No, a Clone is never a token. It is a permanent card on the battlefield. Even if the copied creature is a token, the Clone itself is not.
13. Does mutating a creature trigger ETB effects?
No, mutating a creature does not trigger ETB effects because the resolving mutating creature spell doesn’t enter the battlefield. It only changes the characteristics of the existing creature on the battlefield.
14. Can you clone legendary creatures?
Yes, you can copy a legendary creature. However, the Legend Rule applies if you control two legendary permanents with the same name.
15. If I use multiple Clone spells to copy the same creature, do all of their ETB effects trigger?
Yes, each Clone entering the battlefield will trigger the ETB effect of the copied creature.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of Clone effects and their interaction with ETB abilities can significantly enhance your Magic: The Gathering gameplay. Remember, while the Clone spell itself isn’t an ETB, the act of it entering as a copy can trigger powerful abilities, offering strategic advantages and board control. This knowledge is not only useful for playing the game, but for understanding the game, which is one of the founding principles of the Games Learning Society, an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and education. Learn more about their mission at GamesLearningSociety.org.