Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 1

The creature copies exactly what is printed on the chosen creature (unless that creature has additional copy effects affecting it, is copying something else, or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or any Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 2

Non-copy effects that have already applied to the equipped creature will continue to apply to it. For example, +1/+1 counters on it will still affect it.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 3

The copiable values granted by Blade of Shared Souls are locked in as its effect begins to apply. After that point, it doesn't matter if the creature that's being copied leaves the battlefield or if any of its copiable values change.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 4

If the target creature isn't normally a creature (for example, an animated Monument to Perfection), the equipped creature will become a copy of the noncreature permanent. Blade of Shared Souls will become unattached and the copy effect will end. The previously equipped creature will revert to whatever it was before the copy effect applied.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 5

If the target creature is copying something else (for example, if that creature is equipped by another Blade of Shared Souls), then the equipped creature becomes a copy of whatever the target creature copied.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 6

If the target creature is a token, the equipped creature copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created it. If the equipped creature isn't a token, copying a token won't cause it to become a token. Similarly, if the equipped creature is a token, copying a nontoken won't cause it to become a nontoken.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 7

If the target creature is a double-faced or melded permanent, the equipped creature copies the face shown. If the equipped creature copies a melded permanent or the back face of a double-faced card, its mana value is 0.

Blade of Shared Souls — ruling 8

The Rebel enters the battlefield as a 2/2 creature, then the Equipment becomes attached to it. Abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield see that a 2/2 creature entered the battlefield.

Blade of Shared Souls : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Blade of Shared Souls is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

For Mirrodin! (When this Equipment enters, create a 2/2 red Rebel creature token, then attach this to it.) Whenever this Equipment becomes attached to a creature, for as long as this Equipment remains attached to it, you may have that creature become a copy of another target creature you control. Equip

Complete guide

Blade of Shared Souls is a versatile Equipment that brings its own pilot to the battlefield and allows your creatures to masquerade as your most powerful threats. With the For Mirrodin! keyword, it provides immediate value and tactical flexibility in any deck utilizing blue mana.

Dual Identity Artifact

This card functions in two parts: first, it creates a 2/2 red Rebel creature token and automatically attaches to it. Second, its triggered ability allows the equipped creature to become a copy of another target creature you control for as long as the Blade remains attached. This copy effect is optional, meaning you can keep your 2/2 Rebel or transform it into something much more dangerous.

How the Copying Works

When the Blade becomes attached, the ability triggers and targets another creature you control. The copy effect only copies the base characteristics of the target—what is printed on the card. It does not copy counters, temporary buffs, or other Auras and Equipment. If the target is itself a copy, your creature becomes a copy of whatever that creature is currently copying. Crucially, the copy effect lasts only as long as the Blade is attached; if the Blade is moved or destroyed, the creature reverts to its original form.

Strategic Considerations

Since the copy effect is a trigger that occurs whenever the Blade becomes attached, you can re-trigger this by paying the Equip cost to move it to a different creature. Remember that if you target a non-creature permanent that is temporarily a creature (like an animated artifact), the equipped creature will become a non-creature copy. Because an Equipment cannot be attached to a non-creature permanent, the Blade will immediately fall off and the copy effect will end.

Interaction examples

Creating an Instant Army

Blade of Shared Souls Rebel

Rebel

When you cast Blade of Shared Souls, its For Mirrodin! ability triggers. You create a 2/2 red Rebel token. Then, the Blade attaches to that token. This attachment triggers the second ability, allowing your new Rebel to immediately become a copy of the best creature you already have on the board.

Layers of Equipment

Blade of Shared Souls

Swiftfoot Boots

If your creature is equipped with both Swiftfoot Boots and Blade of Shared Souls, and you choose to have it copy another creature, it retains the Haste and Hexproof from the Boots. The copy effect changes the 'base' creature, but additional Equipment and counters still apply their effects on top of that new form.

Interaction with Non-Creatures

Blade of Shared Souls

Arcane Signet

If you control a creature that has somehow become a copy of Arcane Signet, and you move Blade of Shared Souls onto a different creature, you can target that 'Signet-creature'. Your creature will become an Arcane Signet. Because it is no longer a creature, Blade of Shared Souls will become unattached and fall off, and your creature will immediately stop being a Signet and revert to its original card values.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Blade of Shared Souls

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The creature copies exactly what is printed on the chosen creature (unless that creature has additional copy effects affecting it, is copying something else, or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or any Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Non-copy effects that have already applied to the equipped creature will continue to apply to it. For example, +1/+1 counters on it will still affect it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The copiable values granted by Blade of Shared Souls are locked in as its effect begins to apply. After that point, it doesn't matter if the creature that's being copied leaves the battlefield or if any of its copiable values change.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the target creature isn't normally a creature (for example, an animated Monument to Perfection), the equipped creature will become a copy of the noncreature permanent. Blade of Shared Souls will become unattached and the copy effect will end. The previously equipped creature will revert to whatever it was before the copy effect applied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the target creature is copying something else (for example, if that creature is equipped by another Blade of Shared Souls), then the equipped creature becomes a copy of whatever the target creature copied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the target creature is a token, the equipped creature copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created it. If the equipped creature isn't a token, copying a token won't cause it to become a token. Similarly, if the equipped creature is a token, copying a nontoken won't cause it to become a nontoken.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the target creature is a double-faced or melded permanent, the equipped creature copies the face shown. If the equipped creature copies a melded permanent or the back face of a double-faced card, its mana value is 0.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The Rebel enters the battlefield as a 2/2 creature, then the Equipment becomes attached to it. Abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield see that a 2/2 creature entered the battlefield.
Card named in this ruling
Rebel
#9February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the Rebel is destroyed, the Equipment stays on the battlefield. Similarly, you may pay its equip cost to move it from the Rebel token to another creature you control.
Card named in this ruling
Rebel
#10February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the ability causes two Rebel tokens to be created (due to an effect such as that of Mondrak, Glory Dominus), the Equipment becomes attached to only one of them.
Card named in this ruling
Rebel