Mirage Mirror — ruling 1

Once Mirage Mirror's ability resolves, it no longer has that ability.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 2

Mirage Mirror copies the printed values of the target permanent, plus any copy effects that have been applied to it. It won't copy counters on that permanent or effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on. Notably, it won't copy effects that made the target permanent become a creature.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 3

If Mirage Mirror copies a permanent that's copying something else, it will become whatever the target is copying.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 4

If you activate Mirage Mirror's ability multiple times in a turn in response to itself, then each time one of those abilities resolves, it will overwrite whatever Mirage Mirror is copying. Mirage Mirror will wind up as a copy of the permanent targeted by the last ability to resolve. When the turn ends, all instances of the ability will wear off at the same time.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 5

If an effect begins to apply to Mirage Mirror before it becomes a copy of another permanent, that effect will continue to apply. For example, if Mirage Mirror is activated twice in response to itself targeting first Rampaging Hippo then Frilled Sandwalla, the ability it has while it's a copy of Frilled Sandwalla can be activated and its effect will continue to apply while Mirage Mirror is a copy of Rampaging Hippo.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 6

If Mirage Mirror becomes a creature the same turn it enters the battlefield, you can't attack with it or use any of its {T} abilities (if it gains any) unless it has haste.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 7

If Mirage Mirror becomes a copy of a legendary permanent you control, you'll put one of them into your graveyard.

Mirage Mirror — ruling 8

If Mirage Mirror becomes a copy of an Aura, it's put into its owner's graveyard unless it's somehow attached to an appropriate object or player already. If it becomes a copy of an Equipment and is attached to a creature, it'll become unattached when it becomes a non-Equipment artifact again.

Mirage Mirror : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Mirage Mirror 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

: This artifact becomes a copy of target artifact, creature, enchantment, or land until end of turn.

Complete guide

Mirage Mirror is a versatile artifact that acts as a chameleon on the battlefield, reflecting the most powerful permanent in play. Whether you need a mana source, a finishing attacker, or a specific utility piece, this mirror provides a temporary solution for just two mana. Mastering its timing and copy mechanics is essential for any player looking to maximize their board presence.

What Mirage Mirror Does

Mirage Mirror has an activated ability that costs two generic mana. When it resolves, the Mirror becomes a copy of a target artifact, creature, enchantment, or land until the end of the turn. It gains all the printed characteristics of the target, including name, mana cost, types, and text, but it loses the 'Mirage Mirror' copy ability for the duration of the effect. Remember that it only copies the base values; it does not copy counters, power/toughness buffs, or temporary effects currently affecting the target.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you pay two mana and choose a legal target for the ability. While the ability is on the stack, you can actually activate it again to target something else; if you do, the last ability to resolve determines what the Mirror becomes first. Once an ability resolves, the Mirror transforms immediately. If it becomes a creature, it is subject to summoning sickness unless it has been under your control since the start of your most recent turn. At the end of the turn, the effect expires, and the Mirror returns to its original artifact form.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error involves targeting Legendary permanents; if you already control a legendary permanent and copy it with Mirage Mirror, the 'Legend Rule' applies immediately, forcing you to put one of them into the graveyard. Additionally, note that if the Mirror becomes a copy of an Aura, it will be put into the graveyard unless it was somehow already attached to a legal permanent. Finally, if you activate an ability the Mirror gained while copying something else, that effect continues even if you use a second activation to turn the Mirror into something new before the first effect ends.

When to Play It

Mirage Mirror is best played when you need flexibility or to double up on a powerful effect already on the board. Because it can become a land, it can provide emergency mana, or it can become a copy of an opponent's best creature to block it. Since the ability can be activated at instant speed, you can wait until your opponent's turn to see what they do before deciding what the Mirror should become.

Interaction examples

Gaining Mana or Protection

Arcane Signet

Swiftfoot Boots

If you need extra mana, you can pay two mana to turn Mirage Mirror into a copy of Arcane Signet. It will gain the ability to tap for mana until end of turn. Alternatively, if you target Swiftfoot Boots, the Mirror becomes an Equipment. You can then pay the Equip cost to attach it to a creature, giving that creature hexproof and haste. However, at the end of the turn, when the Mirror stops being an Equipment, it will automatically unattach from the creature.

Chaining Multiple Activations

Arcane Signet

You can activate Mirage Mirror targeting Arcane Signet, then, while that ability is on the stack, activate it again targeting a creature. The Mirror will first become a copy of the creature. Once the second ability (the one targeting the Signet) resolves, it will overwrite the creature copy effect, and the Mirror will become the Signet for the remainder of the turn.

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

How it works : Mirage Mirror

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Once Mirage Mirror's ability resolves, it no longer has that ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Mirage Mirror copies the printed values of the target permanent, plus any copy effects that have been applied to it. It won't copy counters on that permanent or effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on. Notably, it won't copy effects that made the target permanent become a creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If Mirage Mirror copies a permanent that's copying something else, it will become whatever the target is copying.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If you activate Mirage Mirror's ability multiple times in a turn in response to itself, then each time one of those abilities resolves, it will overwrite whatever Mirage Mirror is copying. Mirage Mirror will wind up as a copy of the permanent targeted by the last ability to resolve. When the turn ends, all instances of the ability will wear off at the same time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect begins to apply to Mirage Mirror before it becomes a copy of another permanent, that effect will continue to apply. For example, if Mirage Mirror is activated twice in response to itself targeting first Rampaging Hippo then Frilled Sandwalla, the ability it has while it's a copy of Frilled Sandwalla can be activated and its effect will continue to apply while Mirage Mirror is a copy of Rampaging Hippo.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If Mirage Mirror becomes a creature the same turn it enters the battlefield, you can't attack with it or use any of its abilities (if it gains any) unless it has haste.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If Mirage Mirror becomes a copy of a legendary permanent you control, you'll put one of them into your graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8July 14, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If Mirage Mirror becomes a copy of an Aura, it's put into its owner's graveyard unless it's somehow attached to an appropriate object or player already. If it becomes a copy of an Equipment and is attached to a creature, it'll become unattached when it becomes a non-Equipment artifact again.
No other card is named in this ruling.