What happens if you clone a legendary creature?

What Happens If You Clone a Legendary Creature?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, legendary creatures are among the most powerful and coveted cards in a player’s deck. Cloning these creatures can be a powerful strategy, but it also raises important questions about how the game’s rules and mechanics interact with legendary permanents. In this article, we’ll explore the answers to these questions and provide a comprehensive guide on what happens when you clone a legendary creature.

The Legend Rule

To understand what happens when you clone a legendary creature, it’s essential to grasp the Legend Rule. The Legend Rule states that you can’t control more than one legendary permanent with the same name at the same time. This means that if you have a legendary creature in play, you can’t create another copy of the same creature using cloning or other means.

Cloning a Legendary Creature

When you clone a legendary creature, you’re creating a copy of the creature that has the same characteristics and abilities as the original. However, the copy is not the same permanent as the original, so it’s not subject to the Legend Rule. In other words, you can control multiple copies of a legendary creature as long as they have different names.

The Consequences of Cloning a Legendary Creature

Cloning a legendary creature can have significant consequences for your game state and strategy. Here are a few important points to consider:

• The copied creature is not the original: While the copied creature has the same abilities and characteristics as the original, it’s a separate permanent and can be targeted or destroyed independently.
• You can control multiple copies: As mentioned earlier, you can control multiple copies of a legendary creature as long as they have different names.
• You may need to sacrifice the original: If you copy a legendary creature and there’s only one left on the battlefield, you may need to sacrifice the original to maintain the Legend Rule.
• The Legend Rule still applies: Remember that the Legend Rule states that you can’t control more than one legendary permanent with the same name at the same time. Cloning a legendary creature does not exempt you from this rule.

Strategies for Cloning Legendary Creatures

Cloning legendary creatures can be a powerful strategy in the right situations. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:

• Use spells and abilities that create multiple copies: Spells and abilities that create multiple copies of a creature can be incredibly powerful when used on legendary creatures.
• Take advantage of token-generating creatures: Creatures that generate tokens can be used to create multiple copies of a legendary creature.
• Keep an eye on the Legend Rule: Remember to keep an eye on the Legend Rule and make sure you’re not controlling multiple copies of the same legendary creature.
• Use cards that manipulate the Legend Rule: Cards that manipulate the Legend Rule, such as Sakashima the Impostor, can be powerful tools in your deck.

Conclusion

Cloning a legendary creature can be a powerful strategy in Magic: The Gathering, but it’s essential to understand the Legend Rule and how it interacts with legendary permanents. By keeping the Legend Rule in mind and using the right cards and strategies, you can make the most of cloning legendary creatures and take your gameplay to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I control multiple copies of a legendary creature?: Yes, you can control multiple copies of a legendary creature as long as they have different names.
• How does the Legend Rule work?: The Legend Rule states that you can’t control more than one legendary permanent with the same name at the same time.
• What happens if I clone a legendary creature?: When you clone a legendary creature, you’re creating a copy of the creature that has the same characteristics and abilities as the original. The copied creature is not the same permanent as the original.

Table: Legendary Creature Cloning

Note: This table is a simplified representation of the rules and mechanics surrounding legendary creature cloning. It’s not an exhaustive list, and there may be additional factors to consider in specific situations.