Do Token Copies Keep Abilities?
When it comes to token creation in Magic: The Gathering, a token copy inherits the abilities and characteristics of the original card that it was copied from. But what does this mean, exactly? Let’s dive into the intricacies of token creation and abilities.
Inheriting Abilities
When a token is created, it doesn’t come with a blank slate. Instead, it inherits the abilities, supertypes, and subtypes from the original card that was copied to create the token. This is in accordance with the game’s official rules and FAQs. Here’s an excerpt from the official Magic: The Gathering FAQ:
"…the token copy will have the abilities of the permanent being copied."
Source: Official Magic: The Gathering FAQ
So, when you copy a creature using a token creation effect, the token you create will have the same abilities as the original creature. For example, if you copy a Stormwing, your token copy will have Flying, Deathtouch, and any other abilities that the Stormwing has.
Ability Triggering
When it comes to triggering abilities on token copies, things get a bit more complex. Abilities that trigger "whenever [some object] dies" won’t trigger when the token copy itself dies. This is because the token copy is a separate object from the original card, and the ability is specifically referencing the death of that card.
On the other hand, abilities that trigger "whenever you cast [some spell]" will trigger even if you cast a token copy. This is because the ability is referencing the casting of the spell itself, not the object being cast.
Here’s a breakdown of ability triggering on token copies:
- When: Abilities that trigger "when [some object] dies" won’t trigger on token copies.
- Whenever: Abilities that trigger "whenever [some object] [some action]" will trigger even on token copies if the token copy itself is the one performing the action.
- Upon: Abilities that trigger "upon [some object] dying" will trigger when the token copy dies, even though it’s not the original card.
Other Important Considerations
There are a few other key considerations when it comes to token copies and abilities:
- Modality: Modality affects the ability’s scope and applicability to the token copy. If the original card’s ability is modally conditional, the token copy’s ability will follow the same rules.
- Supertype and Subtype: Token copies inherit the supertype and subtype from the original card. This can have important implications for cards with abilities that trigger on specific supertypes or subtypes.
Here’s a table summarizing key points:
| Ability Triggering Type | Triggers on Token Copy? |
|---|---|
| When: Ability triggers "whenever [some object] dies" | No |
| Whenever: Ability triggers "whenever [some object] [some action]" | Yes, if the token copy performs the action |
| Upon: Ability triggers "upon [some object] dying" | Yes |
Conclusion
Token copies in Magic: The Gathering inherit abilities and characteristics from the original card they were copied from. While this can sometimes lead to interesting and powerful interactions, it’s important to understand how ability triggering works on token copies. By keeping track of supertypes, subtypes, and modalities, you can unlock the full potential of token copies in your gameplay.
In this article, we’ve explored the intricacies of token copies and abilities, from inheriting characteristics to triggering abilities. Remember to stay vigilant for token copy-related interactions in your gameplay and to take full advantage of the strategies that they offer.