Lithoform Engine — ruling 1

The source of the copy from Lithoform Engine's first ability is the same as the source of the original ability.

Lithoform Engine — ruling 2

Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keyword abilities (such as equip) are activated abilities and will have a colon in their reminder text.

Lithoform Engine — ruling 3

Triggered abilities use the word “when,” “whenever,” or “at.” They're often written as “[Trigger condition], [effect].” Some keywords (such as prowess) are triggered abilities and will use “when,” “whenever,” or “at” in their reminder text.

Lithoform Engine — ruling 4

Lithoform Engine's first ability targets an activated or triggered ability that is on the stack and creates another instance of that ability on the stack. It doesn't cause any object to gain an ability.

Lithoform Engine — ruling 5

If an ability is linked to a second ability, copies of that first ability are also linked to that second ability. If the second ability refers to “the exiled card,” it refers to all cards exiled by the first ability and the copy. For example, if Fiend Hunter's enters-the-battlefield ability is copied and two creatures are exiled, they both return when Fiend Hunter leaves the battlefield.

Lithoform Engine — ruling 6

Lithoform Engine can copy any spell or ability on the stack, not just one with targets. If a permanent spell is copied, new targets can't be chosen for it, if it has any (perhaps because it's an Aura or a mutating creature spell).

Lithoform Engine — ruling 7

The copy is created on the stack, so it's not “cast” or “activated.” Creating the copy won't cause abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell or activates an ability to trigger. Abilities that say that a triggered ability triggers additional times won't apply to copying a triggered ability.

Lithoform Engine — ruling 8

The copy will resolve before the original spell or ability does.

Lithoform Engine : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Lithoform Engine 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

, : Copy target activated or triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. , : Copy target instant or sorcery spell you control. You may choose new targets for the copy. , : Copy target permanent spell you control. (The copy becomes a token.)

Complete guide

Lithoform Engine is a versatile legendary artifact that acts as a Swiss Army knife for any commander deck, allowing you to replicate almost anything on the stack. Whether you are doubling a powerful spell, an impactful triggered ability, or even a permanent itself, this engine provides immense late-game value. Understanding the timing and the nature of copies is key to unlocking its full potential.

One Engine, Three Gears

Lithoform Engine features three distinct activated abilities. The first costs two mana and targets an activated ability (look for a colon) or a triggered ability (look for 'when', 'whenever', or 'at'). The second costs three mana and targets an instant or sorcery spell. The third costs four mana and copies a permanent spell, such as a creature or artifact. Each ability requires tapping the Engine, so choose which part of your turn is most important to double.

Resolving the Copy

When you activate Lithoform Engine, its ability goes on the stack above the target spell or ability. If the Engine's ability resolves, it creates a copy of that target directly on the stack. This copy resolves before the original version. For permanent spells, the copy resolves by entering the battlefield as a token; notably, this token is not 'created' in the keyword sense, but it still triggers 'enters-the-battlefield' abilities. If the original spell was 'kicked' or had a value chosen for X, the copy inherits those exact same values and choices.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is trying to change the mode of a modal spell (like those saying 'Choose one —'); the copy must use the same mode as the original. Additionally, you cannot choose to pay alternative or additional costs for the copy, though it benefits if those costs were paid for the original. Remember that copying a triggered ability is not the same as the ability 'triggering an additional time,' so effects that prevent or enhance triggers won't necessarily apply to the Engine's manual activation.

When to Use the Engine

The best time to use Lithoform Engine is when you have excess mana to guarantee your most impactful effects resolve twice. Since the Engine must tap, it is often best used during your own turn to copy a powerful creature or sorcery. However, the first ability can be used reactively on an opponent's turn if you have a triggered ability occurring, such as a 'dies' trigger or a defensive activated ability.

Interaction examples

Double the Ramp

Solemn Simulacrum

When Solemn Simulacrum enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. You can then pay two mana and tap Lithoform Engine to copy that ability. The copy resolves first, letting you search for a basic land. Then, the original ability resolves, letting you search for a second basic land. This works similarly when the Simulacrum dies, allowing you to draw two cards instead of one.

Multiplying Permanent Spells

Commander's Sphere

While Commander's Sphere is on the stack (after you cast it but before it becomes a permanent), you can pay four mana and tap Lithoform Engine using its third ability. This creates a copy of the Commander's Sphere spell. The copy resolves and enters the battlefield as a token that is a copy of Commander's Sphere. Then, the original spell resolves, leaving you with two Spheres on the battlefield.

Sacrifice and Copy

Commander's Sphere

If you have a Commander's Sphere on the battlefield, you can sacrifice it as a cost to activate its ability to draw a card. While that 'draw a card' ability is on the stack, you can pay two mana and tap Lithoform Engine to copy it. You will end up drawing two cards in total: one from the copy and one from the original ability, even though the Sphere itself is already in the graveyard.

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

How it works : Lithoform Engine

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The source of the copy from Lithoform Engine's first ability is the same as the source of the original ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keyword abilities (such as equip) are activated abilities and will have a colon in their reminder text.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Triggered abilities use the word “when,” “whenever,” or “at.” They're often written as “[Trigger condition], [effect].” Some keywords (such as prowess) are triggered abilities and will use “when,” “whenever,” or “at” in their reminder text.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Lithoform Engine's first ability targets an activated or triggered ability that is on the stack and creates another instance of that ability on the stack. It doesn't cause any object to gain an ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If an ability is linked to a second ability, copies of that first ability are also linked to that second ability. If the second ability refers to “the exiled card,” it refers to all cards exiled by the first ability and the copy. For example, if Fiend Hunter's enters-the-battlefield ability is copied and two creatures are exiled, they both return when Fiend Hunter leaves the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Lithoform Engine can copy any spell or ability on the stack, not just one with targets. If a permanent spell is copied, new targets can't be chosen for it, if it has any (perhaps because it's an Aura or a mutating creature spell).
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The copy is created on the stack, so it's not “cast” or “activated.” Creating the copy won't cause abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell or activates an ability to trigger. Abilities that say that a triggered ability triggers additional times won't apply to copying a triggered ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will resolve before the original spell or ability does.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will have the same targets as the spell or ability it's copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can't choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell or ability that's copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. A different mode can't be chosen. This doesn't apply to copying a permanent spell with a modal enters-the-battlefield triggered ability, but it does apply to copying that ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#11September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell or ability that's copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast or activated, the copy will have the same value of X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#12September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell or ability has damage divided as it was put onto the stack, the division can't be changed, although the targets receiving that damage still can. The same is true of spells and abilities that distribute counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#13September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
You can't choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy. Most notably, if the original spell was kicked, the copy is kicked.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#14September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Any choices made when the spell or ability resolves won't have been made yet when it's copied. Any such choices will be made separately when the copy resolves. Most notably, if a triggered ability asks you to pay a cost (such as that of Leyline Tyrant), you pay that cost for the copy if you wish to have it paid.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#15September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent spell is copied, it's put onto the battlefield as a token as the spell resolves rather than putting the copy of the spell onto the battlefield. The rules that apply to a permanent spell becoming a permanent apply to a copy of a spell becoming a token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#16September 25, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The token that a resolving copy of a spell becomes isn't said to have been “created.”
No other card is named in this ruling.