Permeating Mass 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
Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a creature, that creature becomes a copy of this creature.
Complete guide
Permeating Mass is a unique Spirit that spreads its essence like a virus through combat. Even though it is a humble 1/3, its ability to transform mighty foes into copies of itself makes it a terrifying blocker. Understanding how these layers of transformation interact is key to mastering this green creature.
What It Does
Whenever Permeating Mass deals combat damage to another creature, that creature loses its original identity and becomes a copy of Permeating Mass. This effect is permanent and overrides the printed text, power, and toughness of the affected creature. Because the copy effect includes the original triggered ability, the new copy can also transform other creatures in subsequent turns.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, Permeating Mass must deal combat damage; if it is blocked or if it blocks, the damage is dealt simultaneously. Next, the triggered ability goes on the stack. When it resolves, the game checks the current characteristics of Permeating Mass. If Permeating Mass has left the battlefield, the game uses its last known information. The target creature then becomes a 1/3 Spirit with the same infectious ability, though it retains any counters or temporary stat boosts it already had.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming lethal damage prevents the transformation. If Permeating Mass deals damage to a creature with 1 toughness, that creature dies before the ability resolves. Conversely, if Permeating Mass itself takes lethal damage, its ability still triggers and will still transform the creature it hit. Also, remember that this copy effect only copies the 'base' card; it does not copy any Auras, Equipment, or +1/+1 counters currently on Permeating Mass.
When to Play It
Permeating Mass is an excellent defensive tool against large ground attackers. It effectively 'neutralizes' high-threat creatures by turning them into 1/3 Spirits. It is best used early in the game to discourage opponents from attacking with valuable utility creatures or large threats that lack Evasion.
Interaction examples
Llanowar ElvesIf your opponent blocks Permeating Mass with their Llanowar Elves, Permeating Mass deals 1 damage. The Elves' toughness is 1, so they receive lethal damage and are destroyed. However, if the Llanowar Elves were boosted to a 2/2, they would survive the combat and then resolve the trigger, becoming a 1/3 Permeating Mass. This new copy can now turn your other creatures into Permeating Masses later!
Birds of ParadiseIf an opponent attacks with Birds of Paradise, Permeating Mass usually cannot block it because it lacks Reach or Flying. Since no combat damage is dealt between the two creatures, the Birds of Paradise will not become a copy of Permeating Mass. The ability only triggers specifically upon the dealing of combat damage.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Permeating Mass
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A creature dealt lethal damage during combat won’t survive long enough to become a copy of Permeating Mass. If Permeating Mass is dealt lethal damage during combat, the creature Permeating Mass dealt damage to still becomes a copy of it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
A creature with 3 or more damage marked on it that becomes a copy of Permeating Mass will be destroyed immediately after becoming a copy.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The damaged creature copies the printed values of Permeating Mass. It won’t copy counters on Permeating Mass or effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on. Notably, this means that a creature that becomes a copy of Permeating Mass has the ability to permeate other creatures as well.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If Permeating Mass becomes a copy of another creature before its triggered ability resolves, the damaged creature will become a copy of that creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Effects that have already applied to the damaged creature will continue to apply to it. For example, if Giant Growth had given it +3/+3 earlier in the turn, it will be 4/6.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Permeating Mass
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