Clone 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
You may have this creature enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield.
Complete guide
The original master of disguise, Clone is a blue staple that allows you to have the best creature on the board for a fraction of the cost. Whether you are doubling your own threats or mimicking an opponent's powerhouse, understanding how it enters the battlefield is key to victory.
What It Does
Clone enters the battlefield as a copy of any creature currently on the battlefield. It copies the base characteristics printed on the card, including name, mana cost, types, and power/toughness. It does not copy temporary effects, such as +1/+1 counters, Auras, or power-boosting effects from other spells.
How It Resolves
The choice of which creature to copy is made as Clone enters the battlefield, not when you cast it. Since this ability does not target, you can choose a creature with Shroud or Hexproof. Once you choose a creature, Clone becomes that creature before it hits the table, meaning any 'enters-the-battlefield' triggers of the copied creature will fire normally.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is trying to copy a creature that is entering at the same time as Clone. You can only choose a creature that is already present on the battlefield when Clone resolves. Additionally, if you copy a creature with {X} in its cost, X is always zero. Finally, if you choose not to copy anything, Clone enters as a 0/0 and will likely be put into your graveyard immediately.
When to Play It
Clone is best played when there is a creature with a powerful 'enters-the-battlefield' ability or a high-value static effect. Because it scales with the power level of the game, it remains relevant from the mid-game into the late-game, effectively acting as a second copy of your best card or an answer to an opponent's legend.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf you have Clone enter as a copy of Solemn Simulacrum, it will trigger the ability to search for a basic land because it enters the battlefield as a Golem. When the Clone version of the Simulacrum eventually dies, you will also get to draw a card, just like the original.
Roaming ThroneWhen Clone enters as a copy of Roaming Throne, you must choose a creature type for the Clone as it enters. If you choose the same type as the original Roaming Throne, their abilities will interact; however, remember that the Clone copies the Ward {2} ability as well, making it just as difficult for opponents to remove as the original.
Gary CloneIf you have Clone enter as a copy of Gary Clone, it becomes a Human Citizen named Gary Clone. It will benefit from the +1/+0 attack trigger of any other Gary Clone on the field. Note that you do not get to pay the Squad cost for the Clone itself, as Squad is an additional cost paid when casting a spell, and you cast Clone as a Shapeshifter.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Clone
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Clone's ability doesn't target the chosen creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature has
in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Any enters abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Clone enters. Any "as [this creature] enters" or "[this creature] enters with" abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Clone enters as a 0/0 Shapeshifter creature, and is probably put into the graveyard immediately.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If Clone somehow enters at the same time as another creature, Clone can't become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that's already on the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature is a token, Clone copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created the token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature is copying something else (for example, if the copied creature is an Evil Twin), then Clone enters as whatever that creature copied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
Clone copies exactly what was printed on the original creature and nothing else (unless that creature 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 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.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Felidar Guardian + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying its mana cost, choosing to have it enter the battlefield as a copy of Felidar Guardian
- 2When Clone enters the battlefield, it triggers, blinking Felidar Guardian.
- 3When Felidar Guardian enters the battlefield, it triggers, blinking Clone. Choose to have Clone enter the battlefield as a copy of Felidar Guardian.
- 4Repeat from step 2.
Gyruda, Doom of Depths + Mortuary + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying
, having it enter the battlefield as a copy of Gyruda. - 2Put Clone into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 3Mortuary triggers, putting Clone on top of your library from your graveyard.
- 4Clone's enter the battlefield ability triggers, causing each player to mill four cards and you to return Clone from your graveyard to the battlefield as a copy of Gyruda.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Princess Yue + Wormfang Newt + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying its mana cost. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Princess Yue.
- 2Put Clone into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 3When Clone dies, it triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield as a land named Moon. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Wormfang Newt, gaining its abilities.
- 4When Clone enters, its first ability triggers, exiling it.
- 5When Clone leaves the battlefield, its second ability triggers, returning Clone from exile to the battlefield. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Princess Yue.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Princess Yue + Wormfang Turtle + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying its mana cost. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Princess Yue.
- 2Put Clone into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 3When Clone dies, it triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield as a land named Moon. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Wormfang Turtle, gaining its abilities.
- 4When Clone enters, its first ability triggers, exiling it.
- 5When Clone leaves the battlefield, its second ability triggers, returning Clone from exile to the battlefield. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Princess Yue.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker + Clone
- 1Activate Kiki-Jiki by tapping it, creating a token copy of Clone that has haste. Choose to have Clone enter as a copy of Kiki-Jiki.
- 2Put the oldest Kiki-Jiki into the graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 3Repeat step 1 using the Clone token instead.
Princess Yue + Astral Dragon + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying its mana cost. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Princess Yue.
- 2Put Clone into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 3When Clone dies, it triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield as a land named Moon. Choose to have it enter as a copy of Astral Dragon, gaining its abilities.
- 4When Clone enters, it triggers, creating two token copies of itself, thus creating two copies of Moon with Astral Dragon's abilities, that are 3/3 Dragon creatures in addition to its other types.
- 5Put all but one of the Clones into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 6The Clone tokens each trigger. Resolve a trigger, creating two token copies of itself, thus creating two copies of Moon with Astral Dragon's abilities, that are 3/3 Dragon creatures in addition to its other types.
- 7Repeat from step 5.
Sharuum the Hegemon + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying .
- 2Clone enters as a copy of Sharuum.
- 3Put Sharuum into the graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 4Clone triggers, returning Sharuum from your graveyard to the battlefield.
- 5Put Sharuum into the graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 6Sharuum enters the battlefield triggers, returning itself from your graveyard to the battlefield.
- 7Repeat from step 5.
Wispweaver Angel + Clone
- 1Cast Clone by paying its mana cost, choosing to have it enter the battlefield as a copy of Wispweaver Angel
- 2When Clone enters the battlefield, it triggers, blinking Wispweaver Angel.
- 3When Wispweaver Angel enters the battlefield, it triggers, blinking Clone. Choose to have Clone enter the battlefield as a copy of Wispweaver Angel.
- 4Repeat from step 2.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Clone.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Clone
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.