What Can an Astral Dragon Copy? A Deep Dive into its Unique Ability
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The Astral Dragon is a fascinating creature, not just for its majestic origins in the esoteric reaches of the Astral Plane, but also for its unique and powerful ability. The core question surrounding this dragon is: what exactly can it copy? The answer is straightforward yet multifaceted. An Astral Dragon’s Enter the Battlefield (ETB) trigger allows it to target any non-creature permanent, regardless of who controls it. Upon resolution, it doesn’t just mirror the targeted permanent; it creates two tokens that are copies of the targeted permanent, but with a significant twist: they also become 3/3 Dragon creatures with flying.
This distinction is crucial. It’s not merely a visual imitation; it fundamentally alters the nature of what’s being copied, adding a new layer of complexity and potential to the battlefield. This unique copy ability makes the Astral Dragon a versatile force, capable of adapting to diverse board states and strategies.
Understanding the Nuances of the Copy Ability
Targeting Flexibility
The first key aspect of the Astral Dragon’s copy ability is its targeting flexibility. The ability is not limited by who owns the targeted permanent, nor are there restrictions on the type of non-creature permanent. This means it can copy anything from an opponent’s powerful enchantment or artifact to your own utility lands or planeswalkers. This versatility allows for powerful tactical plays, turning your opponents’ most potent cards against them.
The Dragon Token Transformation
The second, and perhaps most transformative aspect, is how the copies are created. They are not just duplicates; they become 3/3 Dragon creatures with flying. This transformation is where the Astral Dragon’s power truly shines. Imagine turning a problematic artifact or a useful enchantment into a flying threat. This dynamic creates opportunities for aggressive assaults, strategic board control, or even unexpected combo plays. It also means that if an opponent is relying on a specific non-creature permanent for their strategy, you can now easily threaten it and any copy.
Permanents Transformed, Not Simply Cloned
It’s important to understand the difference between simply copying a permanent and what the Astral Dragon does. It creates tokens that copy the original permanent’s properties but simultaneously add their own creature type (Dragon), base power and toughness (3/3), and ability (flying). This process changes the overall dynamics of the created token, so it’s not simply a static replica. It becomes a dynamic, living threat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Astral Dragons and Their Copy Ability
1. Can an Astral Dragon copy a land?
Yes, an Astral Dragon can copy a land. This is a very useful tactic to add utility to the battlefield, allowing a normal land card to become a 3/3 flying dragon token.
2. What happens when I copy an enchantment?
When an Astral Dragon copies an enchantment, the resulting tokens are both the enchantment (with all its text) and 3/3 Dragon creatures with flying. This might create some powerful combinations, particularly if the enchantment has strong on-board effects.
3. Can I copy planeswalkers?
Yes, an Astral Dragon can target planeswalkers as they are non-creature permanents. The tokens become copies of the planeswalkers that are also 3/3 Dragon creatures with flying. This means they can immediately attack as creatures but will not be able to use loyalty abilities the turn they arrive.
4. What happens when an Astral Dragon copies an artifact?
Just like enchantments, the tokens become both an artifact (with all its text) and 3/3 Dragon creatures with flying. This can be beneficial for both resource and damage accumulation.
5. Can the copies be targeted with spells or abilities?
Yes, the created tokens, being permanents and creatures, can be targeted by spells and abilities that affect creatures or permanents.
6. If a copy is destroyed, does it also remove the original permanent?
No, the original permanent remains unaffected. The copies are independent tokens and destroying a token will not destroy the card it copied.
7. Can I copy a legendary permanent?
Yes, you can copy a legendary permanent. However, the legend rule will apply to any copies and may force you to choose which to keep.
8. Does the copy ability trigger abilities on other cards?
Yes, the ETB ability of the Astral Dragon will trigger any card that triggers when a permanent enters the battlefield, regardless of the new form.
9. Can I copy a permanent with a variable cost?
Yes, you can copy permanents with variable costs. The copy will have the same cost as the permanent it is copying.
10. Does the copy of a permanent retain all its abilities?
Yes, the copies retain all the original permanent’s abilities and text. This can lead to some very complex board states.
11. What happens if the targeted permanent has counters on it?
The copies will have the same number and type of counters as the original permanent upon entering the battlefield.
12. Can I copy an equipment with an Astral Dragon?
Yes, you can copy an equipment card. It enters the battlefield as both the equipment artifact and a 3/3 flying dragon token. Note it cannot be equipped to anything right away because it’s a creature.
13. If I copy a permanent with activated abilities, can I use them?
Yes, the tokens retain all the activated abilities of the original card (if applicable), and can use them as well as fight. However, tapping for creature combat will generally leave it unable to use activated abilities until untapped.
14. Can I copy a creature if it is temporarily not a creature?
No, the ability specifically states non-creature permanents. If it is a creature when you cast it, you cannot target it.
15. How does this ability interact with cards that prevent token creation?
If a card would prevent token creation, that card’s effect will prevent the creation of the copy tokens but will not affect the Astral Dragon itself.
Conclusion: The Strategic Depth of the Astral Dragon’s Ability
The Astral Dragon’s ability to copy non-creature permanents and transform them into flying 3/3 Dragon tokens is a powerful and flexible tool. Its ability to circumvent the conventional board state creates strategic and tactical depth, offering numerous options for offensive and defensive plays. Whether you’re copying a game-ending artifact or turning an annoying land into a threatening creature, the Astral Dragon provides a dynamic and exciting addition to any deck. It encourages players to think creatively and strategically, making it a highly sought-after and versatile card in any arsenal. This combination of copying power and creature transformation makes the Astral Dragon a truly unique card, reflective of its unique nature as an esoteric being of the Astral Plane.