Unraveling the Mysteries of Epic Spells: What Happens When You Copy One?

So, you’ve stumbled upon the awe-inspiring power of an Epic spell, huh? These spells are game-changers in any format where they’re legal, leaving a lasting impact. But what happens when you try to harness even more power by copying one? The answer, like the spells themselves, is multifaceted.

When you copy an Epic spell, the choices made during the original casting (like targets) and any alterations to the spell are faithfully duplicated. However, a key difference emerges: the effect that creates the copy generally allows you to choose new targets for the copy. Importantly, a copy of a spell is still a spell, and that makes it vulnerable to being countered just like any other spell. Let’s dive deeper into this topic and explore the nuances surrounding copying Epic spells.

Deep Dive: Copying Spells in Magic: The Gathering

Understanding Spell Copies

Before we delve into the specifics of Epic spells, it’s crucial to understand how copying spells generally works in Magic: The Gathering. A copy of a spell retains most of the characteristics of the original, including its mana cost, color, text, and any additional costs that were paid (like Kicker costs). The controller of the spell or ability that created the copy controls the copied spell.

Epic Spells: A Unique Breed

Epic spells are characterized by the Epic keyword. This keyword means that after the spell resolves, you can’t cast spells for the rest of the game. In each of your upkeeps after that point, you copy the spell. This makes the initial casting of an Epic spell a pivotal decision, as it dictates your strategy for the remainder of the game.

Copying an Epic Spell: A Powerful Play

Copying an Epic spell before it resolves can be a game-winning strategy. The original spell will still resolve, creating the epic effect, and you’ll get another copy, often with the flexibility to target different opponents or permanents. This can lead to devastating board states.

Interaction with Other Mechanics

Copying an Epic spell interacts with various other mechanics in interesting ways. For example:

• Storm: Copying an Epic spell won’t trigger Storm. Storm specifically triggers when a spell is cast, not when it’s copied.
• Cascade: Similarly, copying an Epic spell won’t trigger Cascade because you didn’t cast the copy.
• Heroic: Copying an Epic spell will not trigger a creature’s heroic ability because the spell isn’t targeting the heroic creature as it is cast.
• Magecraft: Since copies are not cast, magecraft abilities will not trigger.

FAQs: Demystifying Spell Copies

Let’s tackle some common questions about copying spells, including Epic spells, to further clarify the rules:

FAQ 1: Does copying a spell count as casting it?

No, copying a spell does not count as casting it. Copies are created and put directly onto the stack by another spell or ability, bypassing the casting process. “Cast” usually refers to spells played from the hand, graveyard, or other zones.

FAQ 2: How does copying a kicked spell work?

If a spell was kicked, that information is copied as well. The copy will also be kicked, regardless of whether you pay the Kicker cost again. Kicker costs do not change the mana value.

FAQ 3: Do copied spells count for Storm?

Absolutely not. The Storm copies are put directly onto the stack—they aren’t cast. That means the copies don’t generate storm copies themselves, and they aren’t counted by other storm spells cast later during the turn.

FAQ 4: Do copied spells trigger Cascade?

Cascade won’t trigger if you put a copy of a spell with cascade on the stack. That’s because you didn’t cast the copy.

FAQ 5: Do copied spells trigger Heroic?

Heroic abilities won’t trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell’s targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.

FAQ 6: Does copying a spell trigger Cast Triggers?

No, copies of spells are not typically cast. Therefore, they won’t trigger things like cascade or enchantments like Swarm Intelligence.

FAQ 7: Can you copy a permanent spell?

If a permanent spell is copied, it’s put onto the battlefield as a token as the spell resolves rather than putting the copy of the spell onto the battlefield.

FAQ 8: Does copying a spell scroll destroy it?

When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell’s level. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.

FAQ 9: Do copied spells have a mana value?

Yes, the copy will also copy the mana cost of the original.

FAQ 10: Can you copy a Storm trigger?

A copy of a spell with Storm will have storm, but copying the spell will not make storm trigger — copying a spell is not the same as casting it.

FAQ 11: Do copies have summoning sickness?

Yes, if you create a copy of a creature and it hasn’t been continuously under your control since the beginning of your most recent turn, it will have summoning sickness.

FAQ 12: Can you copy a Legendary Spell?

Yes, you can copy a Legendary Sorcery. Since legendary sorceries aren’t permanents, they’re not subject to the legend rule.

FAQ 13: Can you overload a copied spell?

Yes, you can. When you copy a spell, you copy many of its properties including any alternative casting costs. Because of that, a copy of an overloaded spell is also overloaded.

FAQ 14: Can you copy a spell twice?

Yes, there is nothing stopping you from copying the same spell multiple times.

FAQ 15: Do copied spells trigger Orvar?

If a spell/ability says to copy a spell, it doesn’t interact with Orvar as the copies aren’t considered “cast” for the purpose of any triggers that care.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Spell Copying

Copying spells, especially Epic spells, is a powerful tactic in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding the nuances of how copies interact with various game mechanics can give you a significant edge over your opponents. While copying an Epic spell doesn’t trigger cast-related abilities, it offers the flexibility to create additional copies, potentially overwhelming your adversaries. By mastering these concepts, you can become a true spell-slinging master!

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