Copy CatchersHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it does

Copy Catchers is a 2/1 creature with Flying. Its main strength lies in its triggered ability: whenever you surveil, you have the option to pay {1}{U}. If you pay this cost, you create a token that is an exact copy of Copy Catchers, including the ability to generate further copies when you surveil again.

How it resolves step by step

First, you perform the surveil action. The ability triggers after you finish surveilling, even if you had no cards in your library to look at. Second, the triggered ability is put onto the stack. Third, as the ability resolves, you choose whether to pay the {1}{U} cost. Finally, if paid, a token copy enters the battlefield. If Copy Catchers left the battlefield before this happens, the game uses its last known copiable values to create the token.

Common mistakes

A common error is thinking you can pay the mana multiple times per surveil event to get multiple tokens from a single Copy Catchers; however, you only get one chance to pay per trigger. Additionally, remember that the token is a fresh copy. It does not inherit any counters, equipment, or temporary power boosts that the original Copy Catchers might have had at the time of copying.

When to play it

This card excels in decks that can surveil frequently at instant speed. Because the ability triggers 'whenever' you surveil, having multiple Copy Catchers on the battlefield allows you to pay for each one individually, effectively doubling your Faerie count every time you manipulate the top of your deck.

Interaction examples

Building the Swarm

Copy CatchersCopy

You have one Copy Catchers on the battlefield and cast a spell that allows you to surveil. After you surveil, the ability triggers. You pay {1}{U}, creating a token (represented by the Copy token). Now you have two creatures. Next time you surveil, both the original and the token will trigger, allowing you to pay {2}{U}{U} to create two more tokens!

Mana Support for Copies

Copy CatchersOrnithopter of Paradise

To keep making copies, you need a steady supply of blue mana. You can tap Ornithopter of Paradise to add {U} to your mana pool. This mana can be used to help pay the {1}{U} cost for the Copy Catchers trigger immediately after you surveil, ensuring you don't miss an opportunity to expand your board.

Resource Management

Copy CatchersFoundry Inspector

While Foundry Inspector reduces the cost of artifact spells, it does not reduce the cost of the Copy Catchers triggered ability because that is an activated cost within a trigger, not a spell being cast. You must still pay the full {1}{U} to create your Faerie token, even if you used the Inspector to play other artifacts in the same turn.