Is Copying a Creature Targeting?
When it comes to playing with Magic: The Gathering, understanding the rules of copying a creature can be a crucial aspect of developing your strategy. In this article, we’ll explore whether copying a creature targets or not, and how it affects gameplay.
What is Targeting in Magic: The Gathering?
Before we dive into the specifics of copying a creature, it’s essential to understand what targeting means in Magic: The Gathering. In simple terms, targeting refers to selecting a specific object (a permanent, player, or spell) as the recipient of an effect or spell. This object becomes the target of the spell, and the effect applies to it.
The Mirrors and Cloning Spells
Now, let’s talk about the mirroring and cloning spells. Spells like Mirror, Mirror, Clone, and Copy don’t target the creature to be copied. Instead, they replace the original creature’s effect with a copy of the creature. The clone is created without targeting the original creature, so hexproof or protection will not protect the original creature.
The Difference Between Creating a Token and Copying a Creature
Another essential point to understand is the difference between creating a token and copying a creature. Creating a token is a process where an effect generates a new permanent object with specific characteristics, while copying a creature replaces the original creature with a new version.
Here’s a summary table to help you visualize the differences:
| Characteristic | Creating a Token | Copying a Creature |
|---|---|---|
| Source | A separate effect or spell | Replaces the original creature |
| Object type | Permanent object with unique characteristics | Permanent object with same characteristics as the original |
| Interaction with effects | Typically not affected by effects targeting tokens | Affected by effects targeting creatures |
Rules for Copying Creatures
To further clarify, let’s look at some rules related to copying creatures:
- The replaced creature remains on the battlefield, even if the copying spell creates a token or replaces the original creature with a copy.
- Effects targeting creatures still work on the copied creature, just like they do on the original creature. Hexproof, protection, and other effects will continue to apply.
- Triggers and abilities associated with the original creature may not trigger or activate if the creature is replaced with a copy.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the main points:
- Copying a creature is not considered targeting the original creature.
- Mirroring and cloning spells replace the original creature’s effect with a copy, without targeting it.
- Creating a token and copying a creature have distinct differences in terms of their source, object type, and interaction with effects.
By understanding these fundamental rules, you’ll be better equipped to make strategic decisions during your Magic: The Gathering games. Keep in mind that complex situations may arise, so it’s essential to be familiar with the specific card text and interactions.
I hope this article has clarified the concept of copying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Happy gaming!