Copy 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
(This token can be used to represent a token that's a copy of a permanent.)
Complete guide
Copying effects are a cornerstone of Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to replicate powerful permanents or double up on impactful spells. Whether you are generating a token or turning one card into another, understanding how copy properties transfer is essential for tactical play. This guide explains the mechanics behind tokens and temporary copies to help you master the battlefield.
What a Copy Represents
A copy acquires the copiable values of the original object, which include name, mana cost, color, card type, subtype, supertype, rules text, power, toughness, and loyalty. It does not copy temporary effects like +1/+1 counters, continuous effects from other spells, or whether a permanent is tapped or equipped. If a token is created as a copy, it is a separate permanent that remains on the battlefield until it is destroyed or otherwise removed.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When a copy effect occurs, follow these steps: First, identify the object being copied and its base printed characteristics (modified only by other copy effects). Second, apply any 'except' clauses mentioned in the copy ability, such as gaining haste or changing a card type. Third, if the copy is a permanent, it enters the battlefield, triggering any 'enters' abilities. If the copy is a spell or ability on the stack, it is placed there directly without being cast, unless the effect specifically states to 'cast the copy.'
Common Mistakes
Players often mistakenly believe that copies inherit counters or temporary power boosts from cards like Giant Growth; they do not. Another common error is thinking that a copy of a creature token doesn't have a mana cost; while tokens usually have no mana cost, a copy of a token inherits whatever mana cost the original token was defined as having. Lastly, remember that legendary rules still apply: if you copy a legendary permanent, you must choose one to keep and put the other into the graveyard unless the effect says the copy 'is not legendary.'
Strategic Timing
Copying is most effective when used to scale your board state or react to an opponent's threats. Use copy spells to duplicate high-value targets with enters-the-battlefield abilities or to double your resource generation. Temporary copy effects are best used during combat to surprise opponents with an extra attacker or a defensive blocker that matches their strongest creature's stats.
Interaction examples
When you control six or more lands and a land enters, Scute Swarm creates a copy of itself. Because the copy has the same Landfall ability, the next land you play will trigger both the original and the token, leading to exponential growth.
If you cast an instant and then use Return the Favor to copy it, both Archmage Emeritus and Storm-Kiln Artist will trigger twice. You will draw two cards and create two Treasure tokens because Magecraft looks for both casting and copying.
When you cast Sevinne's Reclamation for its Flashback cost, you create a copy of the spell on the stack. You can then choose a new target for the copy, allowing you to return two different permanents with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.
If you activate Shifting Woodland's Delirium ability to copy a Phyrexian Metamorph in your graveyard, the land becomes a copy of the Metamorph. As that effect resolves, you then choose a creature or artifact on the battlefield for the 'new' Metamorph to copy until end of turn.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Copy
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Copy.
This creature gets +1/+0 for each artifact you control. Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")
Landfall — Whenever a land you control enters, create a 1/1 green Insect creature token. If you control six or more lands, create a token that's a copy of this creature instead.
Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, draw a card.
({U/P} can be paid with either {U} or 2 life.) You may have this creature enter as a copy of any artifact or creature on the battlefield, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types.
Return target permanent card with mana value 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. If this spell was cast from a graveyard, you may copy this spell and may choose a new target for the copy. Flashback {4}{W} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
This land enters tapped unless you control a Forest. {T}: Add {G}. Delirium — {2}{G}{G}: This land becomes a copy of target permanent card in your graveyard until end of turn. Activate only if there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard.
You may have this creature enter as a copy of a creature or planeswalker you control, except it enters with an additional +1/+1 counter on it if it's a creature, it enters with an additional loyalty counter on it if it's a planeswalker, and it isn't legendary.
At the beginning of combat on your turn, create a token that's a copy of equipped creature, except the token isn't legendary. That token gains haste. Equip {5}
{T}: Add {R}. As this artifact enters, you may have it become a copy of any creature on the battlefield until end of turn, except it has haste.
For each token you control, create a token that's a copy of that permanent.
Spree (Choose one or more additional costs.) + {1} — Copy target instant spell, sorcery spell, activated ability, or triggered ability. You may choose new targets for the copy. + {1} — Change the target of target spell or ability with a single target.
{T}: Add {C}. {2}, {T}: This land becomes a copy of target land, except it has this ability.
Related cards and tokens
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