Decoding Planeswalker Abilities: A Deep Dive into Copying in Magic: The Gathering

Copying a planeswalker ability in Magic: The Gathering allows you to essentially duplicate the effect of that ability. Critically, the cost of activating the ability, which almost always involves adding or removing loyalty counters, is not copied. So, while you get the benefit of the ability’s effect, the original planeswalker’s loyalty remains unchanged by the copy. This opens a realm of strategic possibilities, from amplifying powerful effects to mitigating risks associated with loyalty costs. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of copying planeswalker abilities and answer some common questions.

Understanding Planeswalker Abilities

Before we can discuss copying them, let’s solidify our understanding of planeswalker abilities. Planeswalkers are powerful permanents that enter the battlefield with a certain number of loyalty counters. They have abilities that can be activated once during your main phase, and only when the stack is empty, by paying a loyalty cost (adding or removing loyalty counters). These abilities can range from creating creature tokens to drawing cards, damaging opponents, or even ultimates that can swing the game in your favor.

The Core Mechanics

The key things to remember are:

• Loyalty Costs are Key: The cost of a planeswalker ability involves adding or removing loyalty counters. This is distinct from the effect of the ability.
• One Activation Per Turn: Typically, you can only activate one loyalty ability of each planeswalker you control during your turn. Certain cards like The Chain Veil can bypass this restriction.
• Timing Restrictions: You can only activate loyalty abilities during your main phase when the stack is empty.
• Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule: You can’t have two planeswalkers with the exact same name on the battlefield under your control.

Copying Planeswalker Abilities: How It Works

The act of copying a planeswalker ability doesn’t touch the original activation. It’s like taking a snapshot of what the ability does without replicating how it’s done. This is crucial because the loyalty shift is part of the activation cost, which is paid before the ability goes on the stack. Copy effects only duplicate the ability itself, not its preceding costs.

Notable Cards that Enable Copying

Several cards in Magic facilitate copying planeswalker abilities. Here are a few prominent examples:

• Rings of Brighthearth: This artifact allows you to pay {2} to copy an activated ability you control. This means every planeswalker ability can effectively be doubled.
• Lithoform Engine: Another versatile artifact. It allows you to copy spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities for a cost of {2}.
• Strionic Resonator: Similar to Rings of Brighthearth, but it specifically targets triggered abilities. This isn’t relevant for planeswalker abilities (which are activated), but may be helpful for copying triggered abilities caused by a planeswalker, like one of the abilities on [[Narset Transcendent]].

Strategic Implications

Copying planeswalker abilities provides significant strategic advantages. It allows you to:

• Amplify Powerful Effects: Double the card draw from Jace, the Mind Sculptor, or double the damage from Chandra, Torch of Defiance.
• Protect Your Planeswalker: Because loyalty costs aren’t copied, you can potentially benefit from an ability without further reducing your planeswalker’s loyalty (though the initial activation will still reduce loyalty).
• Surprise Your Opponent: The ability to double-up on loyalty abilities opens up a surprise factor, letting you get ahead with key abilities and ultimates.

Planeswalker FAQs: Unraveling the Complexities

Here are fifteen frequently asked questions designed to clarify common misconceptions and provide a deeper understanding of planeswalker mechanics:

1. Does copying a planeswalker ability add loyalty counters to the original planeswalker? No. Copying a planeswalker ability only duplicates the effect of the ability. The act of adding or removing loyalty counters is part of the ability’s cost, which is not copied.

2. Can you copy a planeswalker ability with Rings of Brighthearth? Absolutely! Loyalty abilities are activated abilities. Whenever you activate a loyalty ability, Rings of Brighthearth will trigger, allowing you to copy it for {2}. Note, as mentioned, only the effect is copied.

3. If I copy a planeswalker, does the copy have the same loyalty as the original? When you copy a planeswalker (for example, using Spark Double), the copy enters with the loyalty counters specified on the copy effect. If nothing is specified, it will have the same printed loyalty as the original. The current loyalty of the planeswalker being copied is irrelevant; it uses the value printed on the card itself.

4. Can I have two Jace planeswalkers on the battlefield simultaneously? Yes, you can, but only if they have different names. The Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule (often called the “legend rule” for planeswalkers) prevents you from controlling two planeswalkers with the exact same name. So, you can have Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Jace Beleren in play at the same time.

5. If I turn a planeswalker into a creature and equip Helm of the Host, will the copies be legendary? No. Helm of the Host creates copies of the creature it’s equipped to, and the copies it creates are explicitly non-legendary. This allows you to bypass the Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule, provided the original is a creature.

6. What card lets you use planeswalker abilities multiple times per turn? The Chain Veil is a key card for activating multiple planeswalker abilities per turn. Its activated ability allows you to activate each planeswalker ability an additional time that turn. Remember, you still must pay the costs to use the planeswalker abilities.

7. Can I use a planeswalker’s ability, flicker it with a card like Cloudshift, and then use its ability again in the same turn? Yes! “Flickering” (exiling and returning) a planeswalker resets it. It’s considered a new permanent entering the battlefield, meaning you can activate another of its abilities, following standard timing restrictions.

8. If a planeswalker is also a creature, does Deathtouch affect it? Deathtouch only works on creatures. If a source with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature, that creature is destroyed. Deathtouch itself doesn’t affect planeswalkers unless they are also creatures at the time the damage is dealt. However, there are cards like Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence which applies Deathtouch to planeswalkers.

9. Can I target a planeswalker with Lightning Bolt? Yes, you can. Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to any target, which includes creatures, players, and planeswalkers.

10. Do board wipes affect planeswalkers? Many board wipes only affect creatures. However, some board wipes, such as [[Wrath of God]], specifically state they destroy all creatures. Other board wipes, like [[Farewell]], can exile planeswalkers and/or creatures depending on the modes chosen upon casting it. In short, it depends on the specifics of the card.

11. If Spark Double copies a planeswalker, is the copy also a creature? No, unless the original planeswalker is already a creature when it’s being copied. Spark Double enters as a noncreature planeswalker, even if it’s copying a Gideon planeswalker who is currently a creature.

12. Can I use a counterspell to stop a planeswalker ability from resolving? Yes. Planeswalker abilities, once activated, go on the stack and can be countered like any other activated ability.

13. If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, what happens? The planeswalker is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action.

14. How can I remove a planeswalker before my opponent can activate an ability? Unfortunately, you usually can’t. Once a planeswalker enters the battlefield, your opponent has priority and can activate an ability before you can respond with removal.

15. Can planeswalkers create planes? This is primarily lore-based, not a game mechanic. In the Magic: The Gathering storyline, powerful planeswalkers could, with immense effort, create their own planes. This doesn’t translate into a game mechanic, however.

Planeswalkers and Education: A Learning Opportunity

The complex rules and strategic depth surrounding planeswalkers (and Magic: The Gathering in general) make it a valuable tool for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org research and promote the educational applications of games, including trading card games like MTG. Exploring the mechanics of planeswalkers, deckbuilding, and strategic gameplay can enhance cognitive abilities and foster a deeper understanding of complex systems.

Mastering Planeswalkers: A Path to Victory

Understanding the nuances of copying planeswalker abilities is crucial for competitive Magic: The Gathering play. By mastering the rules, identifying key interactions, and utilizing cards like Rings of Brighthearth and The Chain Veil effectively, you can unlock the full potential of your planeswalkers and dominate the battlefield. Good luck, and may your loyalty counters ever be in your favor!