What happens to creature tokens when they die?
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When a creature token dies, it ceases to exist immediately after being put into the graveyard as a state-based action, meaning it doesn’t remain in the graveyard long enough to trigger any “when a creature dies” effects or abilities. This is because tokens can only exist on the battlefield and cannot be in any other zone, such as the graveyard or hand.
Understanding Creature Tokens
Definition and Properties
To understand what happens when creature tokens die, it’s essential to first grasp what tokens are and how they function within the game. Tokens are permanent objects on the battlefield that are not cards but represent creatures, planeswalkers, or other ** permanents**. They have *names*, *mana costs*, *power*, *toughness*, and *abilities*, just like regular *cards*, but they are created by *spells*, *abilities*, or *effects* rather than being played from a hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are 15 FAQs that provide more insight into how creature tokens work and what happens to them under various circumstances:
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Do tokens go to the graveyard? Yes, tokens do go to the graveyard when they die, but they immediately cease to exist as a state-based action.
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Can tokens be sacrificed? Yes, tokens can be sacrificed and exiled like any other card in MTG.
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Do tokens trigger “when a creature dies” effects? Yes, tokens can trigger “when a creature dies” effects before they cease to exist.
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What happens to tokens when they are phased out? Tokens can phase out and back in like other permanents, and this does not cause them to cease to exist.
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Do tokens come back with undying? No, tokens cannot come back with undying because they cease to exist before the undying ability can trigger.
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Can a token be returned to hand? Technically, yes, but the token will cease to exist as soon as it is returned to the hand because tokens cannot exist outside the battlefield.
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Is a token a permanent? Yes, a token is considered a permanent while it is on the battlefield.
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Can you mutate a token? Yes, tokens can mutate just like nontoken permanents.
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Can you exile a token from a graveyard? No, you cannot exile a token from a graveyard because tokens that have left the battlefield cannot change zones.
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Do tokens get summoning sickness? Yes, tokens can get summoning sickness because they are permanents and creatures on the battlefield.
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What happens when you exile a token? The token is effectively removed from existence because it cannot be in any zone other than the battlefield.
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Can a token be a legendary creature? Yes, tokens can be legendary creatures, and the legend rule applies to them.
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Is a clone of a token a token? No, a Clone of a token is not a token itself but a permanent that copies the token’s characteristics.
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Can you morph a token? Yes, you can morph a token by turning it face down, and it becomes a colorless 2/2 creature with no name or abilities.
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Can tokens gain embalm? Yes, tokens can gain embalm, but the embalm ability will not save the token from ceasing to exist when it dies because it still cannot return to the battlefield from the graveyard.
Conclusion
Creature tokens play a significant role in MTG, offering dynamic and strategic gameplay opportunities. Understanding what happens when they die is crucial for mastering the game, as it influences how players approach battles, token generation, and graveyard interactions. By grasping the state-based actions and rules surrounding tokens, players can make more informed decisions during their games, leveraging tokens effectively within their strategies.