Copying a Legend: Navigating the Legendary Rule in Magic: The Gathering
So, you’re looking to make a copy of a legendary creature in Magic: The Gathering? It’s a powerful play, capable of overwhelming your opponent, but it’s crucial to understand the rules surrounding it. Here’s the breakdown:
The legend rule is a state-based action. This means the game checks for it automatically and enforces it before players can take most actions. If you control two or more legendary permanents with the exact same name at the same time, you must choose one to keep, and the rest are put into their owner’s graveyards. Thus, if you copy your legendary creature, the legend rule will immediately kick in. You choose which one to keep and send the other to the graveyard. However, if you copy your opponent’s legendary creature, then everything is fine because each player controls a legendary permanent of the same name.
The Nitty-Gritty of Copying
Copying a creature in Magic works by duplicating its characteristics as defined by its copiable values. This generally includes everything printed on the original card. A token copy inherits the legendary supertype, name, mana cost (and thus mana value), colors, abilities, and power/toughness of the original. A non-token copy functions similarly.
It’s important to note the difference between cards like Clone, which specifically copies a creature’s characteristics, and cards like Sakashima the Impostor, which can copy a creature but keep their own name. Cards like Sakashima avoid the legend rule because the copied permanent no longer shares a name with the original.
Understanding State-Based Actions
State-based actions (SBAs) are rules that the game checks and applies automatically. The legend rule is a prime example. SBAs don’t use the stack and occur immediately before a player would receive priority. This means if you bring a copy of a legendary creature into play, you don’t get a chance to activate any abilities or cast any spells before the game forces you to sacrifice one of the legendary permanents.
Circumventing the Legend Rule
There are a few ways to get around the legend rule. The most direct way is with cards like Mirror Gallery. This artifact specifically removes the legend rule while it’s on the battlefield. Other cards such as Spark Double also explicitly avoid the legend rule by removing the legendary supertype from the copy.
You can learn more about Magic: The Gathering and its complex rules by checking out resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Legendary Rule FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the legend rule and copying legendary creatures:
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Can you have two of the same legendary creature on the battlefield?
Not under normal circumstances. The legend rule prevents you from controlling two or more legendary permanents with the same name simultaneously.
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What happens if I copy my opponent’s legendary creature?
Because the legend rule only applies if you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name, copying your opponent’s legendary creature isn’t a problem. You and your opponent will each control a copy of the same legendary creature.
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Can you make a token copy of a legendary creature?
Yes, you can. The token copy inherits the legendary supertype, name, and other characteristics of the original. The legend rule will then apply if you already control a legendary permanent with that name.
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If I copy a legendary creature, does the copy also become legendary?
Yes, the copy inherits the legendary supertype, unless a card’s ability specifically states otherwise, such as with Spark Double.
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Do copies of creatures have mana value?
Yes, generally. The mana value of a copy is usually the same as the mana value of the original permanent. If there is no mana cost to copy, the mana value will be 0.
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Does the legend rule stop enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects?
Yes, as the legend rule is a state-based action. The choice of which Legendary permanent will be kept will be made before the ETB triggered abilities are put on the stack and resolve.
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Can I populate a legendary creature token?
You can populate a legendary creature token, creating another token copy. However, the legend rule will immediately apply, forcing you to sacrifice one of them.
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What happens if I copy a legendary permanent with “choose a background”?
“Choose a Background” can only apply to monocolored legendary creatures (and Faceless One) and it allows you to choose a Background enchantment to pair them with in the command zone. If you copy the creature, the copy will have the “choose a background” ability and all the properties that the original creature has.
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Can Cursed Mirror copy a legendary creature?
Yes, Cursed Mirror can copy a legendary creature. The legend rule will apply as usual if you control another legendary permanent with the same name. However, Cursed Mirror cannot copy a creature if it enters the battlefield at the same time.
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What happens if a legendary creature has myriad?
When a creature with myriad attacks, its controller may create token copies of that creature for each other opponent. These tokens are attacking and are exiled at the end of combat. If you copy your own legendary creature with myriad, you will create token copies that also have the legendary supertype.
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Can an indestructible legendary creature be sacrificed by the legend rule?
Yes. Indestructible means a permanent cannot be destroyed, but the legend rule doesn’t destroy the legendary permanents; it puts them into their owner’s graveyard. Effects that put a card into the graveyard will still work on indestructible cards.
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Can you have two different Jace planeswalkers out at the same time?
Yes, but planeswalkers have their own rule similar to the legend rule. You cannot have multiple copies of the same planeswalker name, even if they are different cards. So, you can’t have two cards that have the type “Jace” for instance, but you can have as many different planeswalkers with different names in play.
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Can a card remove the legend rule?
Yes, cards like Mirror Gallery remove the legend rule while they are on the battlefield. This allows you to control multiple legendary permanents with the same name.
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What happens if a legend is copied and later becomes non-legendary?
If a permanent starts as legendary and later loses that supertype due to an effect (like a card ability), it will no longer be subject to the legend rule. If you end up with multiple copies of the same non-legendary permanent (that was formerly legendary), the legend rule will no longer apply.
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Are Planeswalkers losing their sparks?
The Desparkening caused a gradual fading of the spark from planeswalkers’ bodies, leaving them without the ability to enter the Blind Eternities and travel between planes. This is more related to Magic lore and doesn’t affect the legendary planeswalker rule.
By understanding the interplay of copy effects and the legend rule, you can strategically wield powerful legendary creatures and outmaneuver your opponents. Always be mindful of the board state and plan your plays carefully to maximize your advantage.