Cytoshape 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
Choose a nonlegendary creature on the battlefield. Target creature becomes a copy of that creature until end of turn.
Complete guide
Cytoshape is a versatile Simic instant that allows you to transform one creature into another on a whim. Whether you are upgrading your smallest token or sabotaging an opponent's powerhouse, this card offers a unique way to manipulate the board state until the end of the turn.
What It Does
Cytoshape targets one creature on the battlefield and forces it to become a copy of a chosen nonlegendary creature. It is important to note that only the creature being transformed is targeted; you do not choose the 'source' creature until the spell actually resolves. The transformation lasts until the end of the turn, at which point the creature reverts to its original form.
How It Resolves
When Cytoshape resolves, you first choose any nonlegendary creature currently on the battlefield. The targeted creature then copies the printed values and any existing copy effects of the chosen creature. It does not copy counters or temporary stat-boosts from spells like Giant Growth. If you choose a face-down creature, your target will become a 2/2 creature with no name, types, or abilities.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming Cytoshape copies the current power and toughness of a creature modified by counters. If you copy a 0/0 creature that has four +1/+1 counters on it, your target will become a 0/0 and likely die unless it has its own counters. Additionally, if you copy an animated land, your creature will become an unanimated version of that land, potentially removing it from combat entirely.
When to Play It
Cytoshape is best used reactively or as a combat trick. You can use it to turn an opponent's attacking creature into a weak 1/1 token or turn your own blocked creature into the strongest nonlegendary threat on the board. Since it is an instant, it can also be used to 'counter' certain abilities by changing a creature's types or removing abilities before they can be activated.
Interaction examples
CounterspellYou cast Cytoshape targeting your 1/1 token, intending to turn it into a 5/5. While Cytoshape is on the stack, your opponent casts Counterspell. Because Cytoshape is countered, it never resolves, and you never get to choose which nonlegendary creature to copy. Your token remains a 1/1.
Beast WithinAn opponent attacks you with a massive nonlegendary creature. You cast Beast Within on one of your own lands to create a 3/3 Beast token. Then, you cast Cytoshape targeting your opponent's attacker. As it resolves, you choose your new 3/3 Beast token. The opponent's creature becomes a 3/3 Beast until end of turn, significantly reducing the damage you take.
If you target your own creature with Cytoshape and choose a nonlegendary creature that is currently a copy of something else, your creature will become whatever that creature is copying. For example, if a Clone is copying a Shivan Dragon, your creature will become a Shivan Dragon until end of turn.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Cytoshape
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Only the creature that’s becoming a copy is targeted. The creature that it will copy isn’t chosen until Cytoshape resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The creature copies the printed values of the chosen creature, plus any copy effects that have been applied to it. It won’t copy counters on that creature. It won’t copy effects that have changed the creature’s power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature copies a creature that’s copying a creature, it will become whatever the chosen creature is copying.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature becomes a copy of a face-down creature, it will become a 2/2 creature with no name, creature type, abilities, mana cost, or color. It will not become face-down and thus can’t be turned face up.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
This effect can cause the target to stop being a creature. For example, if it becomes a copy of an animated Blinkmoth Nexus, the printed wording will be copied and it will become an unanimated Blinkmoth Nexus.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Effects that have already applied to the target creature will continue to apply to it. For example, if Giant Growth had given it +3/+3 earlier in the turn, then Cytoshape makes it a copy of Grizzly Bears, it will be a 5/5 Grizzly Bears.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
A creature may become a copy of itself this way. This generally won’t have any visible effect.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
At the end of the turn, the creature reverts to what it was before. If two Cytoshapes affect the same creature on the same turn, they’ll both wear off at the same time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Cytoshape
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.