Copycrook 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, except it has "Whenever this creature attacks, it connives." (Draw a card, then discard a card. If you discarded a nonland card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
Complete guide
Copycrook is a versatile Shapeshifter that doesn't just mimic the best creature on the board—it improves upon the design with a built-in looting mechanic. By combining the classic Clone effect with the Streets of New Capenna's connive keyword, this Rogue ensures your hand stays fresh and your board presence keeps growing.
What it Does
Copycrook enters the battlefield as a copy of any creature already in play, inheriting all its printed characteristics like name, mana cost, types, and abilities. However, it gains one specific new ability: 'Whenever this creature attacks, it connives.' This means every time you swing for combat, you will draw a card and then discard a card. If the discarded card isn't a land, your Copycrook receives a permanent +1/+1 counter.
How it Resolves
As Copycrook enters the battlefield, you choose a creature for it to copy. This choice does not target, so it bypasses Shroud or Hexproof. If the chosen creature has 'Enters the battlefield' triggers, Copycrook will trigger them immediately. Once it is on the battlefield and you declare it as an attacker, the connive ability goes on the stack. You draw and discard during resolution; your opponents cannot wait to see what you discard before deciding to destroy the creature to prevent the counter.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is trying to copy a creature that is entering at the same time as Copycrook; you must choose a creature already present on the battlefield. Additionally, remember that Copycrook does not copy temporary effects like Giant Growth or existing +1/+1 counters on the target creature. If you choose not to copy anything, Copycrook enters as a 0/0 and will likely die immediately unless an external anthem effect is keeping it alive.
When to Play It
Copycrook is best utilized when your opponent has a high-value utility creature or a massive threat that you want to replicate. Because it connives on every attack, it is particularly potent when copying creatures with Evasion (like Flying) to ensure it can safely attack and grow larger while cycling through your deck for answers.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumWhen Copycrook enters the battlefield as Solemn Simulacrum, its 'enters the battlefield' ability triggers, allowing you to search for a basic land. Furthermore, Copycrook gains the attacking connive ability and retains the 'draw a card when this creature dies' ability from the original Golem.
Roaming ThroneIf you have Copycrook enter as Roaming Throne, you choose a creature type (such as Rogue). As Roaming Throne, it is now a Golem Rogue. Because Copycrook's connive is a triggered ability of a creature that shares the chosen type (Rogue), Roaming Throne's ability causes the connive to trigger an additional time every time you attack.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Copycrook
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Except for the listed exception, Copycrook copies exactly what was printed on the original creature and nothing more (unless that creature is itself copying something 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 attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, and so on.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If the chosen creature has
in its mana cost, X is 0.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is a Clone), then your Copycrook enters the battlefield as whatever the chosen creature copied, with the listed exception.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the chosen permanent is a token, Copycrook copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that put the token onto the battlefield, with the listed exception. Copycrook does not become a token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Copycrook enters the battlefield. Any "as [this creature] enters the battlefield" or "[this creature] enters the battlefield with" abilities of the chosen permanent will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If Copycrook somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Copycrook 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.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Copycrook simply enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature and is probably put into your graveyard immediately, unless something else is increasing its toughness to keep it alive. It won't have "Whenever this creature attacks, it connives."
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
Once an ability that causes a creature to connive begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it's done. Notably, opponents can't try to remove the conniving creature after you discard a nonland card but before it receives a counter.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #9· Wizards of the Coast
If no card is discarded, most likely because that player's hand is empty and an effect says they can't draw cards, the conniving creature does not receive a +1/+1 counter.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #10· Wizards of the Coast
If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to connive but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still connives. If you discard a nonland card this way, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything. Abilities that trigger "when [that creature] connives" will trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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