Flesh Duplicate 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 vanishing 3 if that creature doesn't have vanishing. (A permanent with vanishing 3 enters with three time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter from it. When the last is removed, sacrifice it.)

Complete guide

Flesh Duplicate is a versatile Shapeshifter that offers a low-cost way to replicate the most powerful threats on the board. While its price is efficient, its existence is fleeting due to the vanishing mechanic, making it a temporary but potent tool for blue mages. Master the art of timing to ensure this Rebel makes a lasting impact before it fades away.

A Fleet-Footed Mimic

Flesh Duplicate enters the battlefield as a copy of any creature currently in play. The key distinction is that it gains vanishing 3 if the original creature does not already have it. This means it will enter with three time counters, and you will sacrifice it once those counters are depleted during your upkeeps.

Resolution Step by Step

First, as Flesh Duplicate is resolving, you choose a creature on the battlefield to copy; this is not a targeted ability, so Hexproof cannot stop you. Second, the Duplicate enters with all the characteristics of that creature, including its name, types, and abilities. Third, if the copied creature doesn't have vanishing, Flesh Duplicate enters with three time counters. Finally, the vanishing trigger will check every one of your upkeeps to remove a counter until the last one is gone, at which point the sacrifice trigger occurs.

Common Pitfalls

Many players forget that the 'vanishing 3' is an additional ability granted to the copy, not a triggered ability that can be countered easily. If you copy a creature that already has vanishing, Flesh Duplicate will simply have that creature's original vanishing value instead of defaulting to 3. Also, keep in mind that since it enters as a copy, any 'enters the battlefield' abilities of the chosen creature will trigger.

Strategic Timing

Because Flesh Duplicate only costs two blue mana, it is best used to copy expensive utility creatures or high-powered attackers to swing the momentum of the game. Since it will only last for a few turns, prioritize copying creatures that provide immediate value or can end the game quickly before the third time counter is removed.

Interaction examples

Sky-High Mana Ramp

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you choose to have Flesh Duplicate enter as a copy of Ornithopter of Paradise, it will be an Artifact Creature — Thopter with Flying and the ability to tap for any color of mana. Because the original Ornithopter does not have vanishing, the Flesh Duplicate version enters with three time counters. You now have a temporary mana fixer that can fly over blockers for three turns.

Reducing Costs Temporarily

Foundry Inspector

By copying Foundry Inspector, Flesh Duplicate becomes a Construct that reduces the cost of your artifact spells by one generic mana. This allows you to chain together several artifact plays at a discount for the next few turns. Remember, once the third time counter is removed during your upkeep, the discount disappears along with the Duplicate.

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