Dance of Many — ruling 1

If Dance of Many leaves the battlefield before its first ability has resolved, its second ability will trigger and do nothing. Then its first ability will resolve and put a token onto the battlefield. That token won't have any connection to a Dance of Many permanent, so it won't be exiled when a Dance of Many leaves the battlefield.

Dance of Many — ruling 2

Destroying the creature that was copied will not cause the token creature to be destroyed as well.

Dance of Many — ruling 3

Each Dance of Many is associated only with its token creature. If one Dance leaves the battlefield, only the corresponding token is affected, not all tokens from all instances of Dance of Many.

Dance of Many — ruling 4

The ability is targeted and checks the validity of the target when put on the stack and when resolving. If the creature is not still there when the copy ability resolves, the ability doesn't resolve and no token is put onto the battlefield. This card remains on the battlefield as an enchantment with no token.

Dance of Many — ruling 6

Treat the token as entering as a copy of the chosen creature. If that creature normally gets counters when entering, the token creature gets counters.

Dance of Many : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Dance of Many 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

When this enchantment enters, create a token that's a copy of target nontoken creature. When this enchantment leaves the battlefield, exile the token. When the token leaves the battlefield, sacrifice this enchantment. At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this enchantment unless you pay .

Complete guide

Dance of Many is a classic blue enchantment that brings a double to the battlefield for a low initial cost. It acts as a mirror, creating a token copy of a nontoken creature while requiring a steady supply of mana to maintain the illusion. Mastering its triggered abilities is key to ensuring your copy stays exactly as long as you need it.

Dual Bonds and Mana Upkeep

When Dance of Many enters the battlefield, you choose a nontoken creature to copy. This creates a token that inherits all the characteristics of the original, including mana cost and 'enters' abilities. However, this copy is tethered to the enchantment; if the enchantment leaves, the token is exiled, and if the token leaves, the enchantment is sacrificed. Additionally, you must pay two blue mana at the start of every upkeep to keep the enchantment on the battlefield.

The Timing of the Trigger

The token creation is a triggered ability that targets. If the target creature is removed from the battlefield in response to this ability, the ability fails to resolve and no token is created, but the enchantment remains on the battlefield. Conversely, if Dance of Many is destroyed before its entry ability resolves, its 'leaves the battlefield' trigger will fire first and do nothing. Then, the first ability resolves, creating a permanent token that is no longer linked to the enchantment and will persist even without the upkeep cost.

Maintaining the Illusion

It is important to remember that the token and the original creature are independent after the copy is made. Destroying the original creature will not affect your token. However, you must be careful with your mana pool; the upkeep cost is mandatory unless you choose to sacrifice the enchantment, which will immediately exile your copy. This makes it a high-risk, high-reward tool for doubling your best utility creatures.

Interaction examples

Doubling a Token Copy

Copy

You cast Dance of Many and target a nontoken creature. Upon resolution, you use a Copy token to represent the new permanent. During your next upkeep, you must pay {U}{U} or sacrifice the enchantment. If you sacrifice it, the Copy token is exiled immediately.

Interacting with Persistent Value

Rhystic Study

If your opponent has a Rhystic Study on the battlefield, you might use Dance of Many to copy a creature that helps you generate the mana needed to pay for their tax. While Dance of Many is on the battlefield, you must balance paying for its own {U}{U} upkeep and the {1} required by the opponent's Rhystic Study triggers.

Managing Multiple Enchantments

Mystic Remora

In a deck featuring Mystic Remora, your upkeep becomes very resource-heavy. You will have to pay the cumulative upkeep for Mystic Remora and the flat {U}{U} for Dance of Many. If you cannot afford both, you may choose to sacrifice Dance of Many first, which triggers the exile of your token, then handle the Remora's cost.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Dance of Many

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
If Dance of Many leaves the battlefield before its first ability has resolved, its second ability will trigger and do nothing. Then its first ability will resolve and put a token onto the battlefield. That token won't have any connection to a Dance of Many permanent, so it won't be exiled when a Dance of Many leaves the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
Destroying the creature that was copied will not cause the token creature to be destroyed as well.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
Each Dance of Many is associated only with its token creature. If one Dance leaves the battlefield, only the corresponding token is affected, not all tokens from all instances of Dance of Many.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
The ability is targeted and checks the validity of the target when put on the stack and when resolving. If the creature is not still there when the copy ability resolves, the ability doesn't resolve and no token is put onto the battlefield. This card remains on the battlefield as an enchantment with no token.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#5October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
The mana cost is copied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
Treat the token as entering as a copy of the chosen creature. If that creature normally gets counters when entering, the token creature gets counters.
Card named in this ruling
Copy