Mockingbird 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
Flying You may have this creature enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield with mana value less than or equal to the amount of mana spent to cast this creature, except it's a Bird in addition to its other types and it has flying.
Complete guide
Mockingbird is a versatile blue creature that perfectly blends the flavor of a bard with the tactical utility of a clone. Whether you need a cheap flyer early or a massive threat later, this Bird Bard adapts its form to match the best creatures on the board.
Scaling with Mana
Unlike traditional clones, Mockingbird's ability is restricted by the amount of mana you spent to cast it. This includes the blue mana, the value assigned to {X}, and even any additional tax or cost increases. If you pay more for it, you can copy more expensive creatures.
How it Resolves
As Mockingbird enters the battlefield, you choose a creature currently on the field with a mana value less than or equal to the total mana spent. It enters as a copy of that creature but retains its Bird type and gains Flying. This doesn't target, so your opponent cannot respond once the choice is made during resolution.
Copying Characteristics
Mockingbird copies the printed characteristics of the chosen creature, including its mana cost, name, and abilities. It does not copy counters, equipment, or temporary power changes. If the target is a token, it copies the characteristics defined by the effect that created that token.
Common Mistakes
A common error is forgetting that if you copy a creature with {X} in its cost, X is treated as 0 for the copy's mana value once on the field. Additionally, remember that Mockingbird is always a Bird and always has Flying, regardless of what it copies.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseIf you cast Mockingbird for just {U} (X=0), the total mana spent is 1. Since Ornithopter of Paradise has a mana value of 2, you cannot copy it. However, if you cast Mockingbird with X=1 for a total of {1}{U}, you can copy the Ornithopter, gaining a mana-producing Bird that has Flying twice (which is redundant but legal).
Faerie MastermindWith Faerie Mastermind on the battlefield, you can cast Mockingbird for {1}{U}. Mockingbird enters as a copy of Faerie Mastermind. It will trigger its own card-draw ability whenever an opponent draws their second card, even though it wasn't cast with Flash itself.
Mockingbird, Bobbi MorseIf you cast Mockingbird for {2}{U} or more, you can copy Mockingbird, Bobbi Morse. Note that the card 'Mockingbird' (the Bird Bard) is different from the legendary character 'Mockingbird, Bobbi Morse'. If the Bird Bard copies the Legendary Hero, it becomes Legendary and gains the 'Whenever Mockingbird is dealt damage' ability. Because the name matches exactly, the ability works as intended.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Mockingbird
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Mockingbird’s second ability counts all mana spent to cast Mockingbird, not just mana spent on
. If there are any additional costs to cast it, the mana spent to pay those costs counts as well.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Mockingbird copies exactly what was printed on the original creature, except it’s a Bird in addition to its other types and it has flying, and nothing else (unless that creature is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, and so on.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature has
in its mana cost, X is 0.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature is a token, Mockingbird copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token, with the noted exceptions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature is copying something else, then Mockingbird enters as whatever that creature copied, with the noted exceptions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Any “enters” abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Mockingbird enters. Any “as [this creature] enters” or “[this creature] enters with” abilities of the copied creature will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose not to have Mockingbird enter as a copy of another creature. If you do, it will just be a 1/1 Bird Bard creature with flying, an ability that didn’t do anything, and the opportunity for a good self-deprecating joke or two.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Mockingbird.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Mockingbird
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.