Gray and Adira, Forever JoinedHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking the Trigger

The ability triggers at the beginning of combat on your turn, but only if you have already cast a noncreature spell earlier that same turn. A noncreature spell is any spell that does not have the 'Creature' type, including Artifacts, Enchantments, Sorceries, Instants, and Planeswalkers. Note that the trigger checks for the 'cast' action; even if that noncreature spell was countered, Gray and Adira still recognize that it was cast.

The Copying Process

When the ability resolves, you choose a target creature you control. The token created is an exact copy of that creature as it exists on the battlefield, including its mana cost, base power, and abilities, with one major exception: the token is not legendary. This allows you to safely copy Gray and Adira themselves or other legendary creatures without the 'Legend Rule' forcing you to choose one to keep.

Haste and Sacrifice

The token gains haste immediately, allowing it to attack during the same combat phase it was created. However, this reinforcement is temporary. At the beginning of the next end step, the delayed triggered ability created by Gray and Adira will trigger, and you must sacrifice the token. If you create the token during an opponent's turn (though their ability only triggers on your turn) or after the combat phase, the token would still be sacrificed at the next available end step.

Strategic Timing

To maximize this card, you must cast your noncreature spells during your first main phase. If you move straight to combat without casting anything, the ability will not trigger, and you cannot go back to the main phase to cast a spell and expect a second chance at the trigger for that turn. Ensure you have your target creature already on the battlefield before the combat phase begins.

Interaction examples

Ramping with Replicas

Solemn Simulacrum

First, cast a noncreature spell during your main phase. At the start of combat, Gray and Adira trigger, targeting Solemn Simulacrum. A non-legendary token copy of the Golem enters the battlefield, triggering its 'enters' ability to fetch a basic land. You attack with the token, and at the beginning of your end step, you sacrifice it. This triggers the token's 'dies' ability, allowing you to draw a card.

Doubling the Fun

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human' or 'Officer', its ability will apply to Gray and Adira. After casting a noncreature spell, two instances of Gray and Adira's ability will trigger at the start of combat. This allows you to create two separate non-legendary tokens of creatures you control. Both tokens gain haste and both will be sacrificed at the next end step.

The Token Identity

Copy

When the ability resolves, use a Copy token to represent the target. The Copy token inherits all printed characteristics of the target, such as its name and subtype. Because Gray and Adira's effect specifies the token 'isn't legendary', the Copy token will not cause a conflict even if it is copying a legendary creature you already have in play.