Secret InvasionHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Secret Invasion is an Aura that must enchant a creature you control. When it enters the battlefield, you choose up to one other target creature to exile. As long as Secret Invasion remains on the battlefield, the enchanted creature becomes a copy of the exiled card and gains Ward {2}. If the Aura leaves, the exiled card returns to the battlefield under its owner's control and your creature reverts to its original form.

Resolving the Invasion Step-by-Step

First, you cast the spell targeting a creature you control. Upon resolution, the 'enters' ability triggers, and you choose a target creature (other than the enchanted one) to exile. As that ability resolves, the target is moved to exile and the copy effect immediately applies to your enchanted creature. The copy effect and the exile duration are both tied to Secret Invasion remaining on the battlefield; if the Aura is destroyed in response to the trigger, the target is never exiled and no copy occurs.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that the copy effect only lasts as long as the Aura is attached and on the battlefield. If your creature dies, the Aura goes to the graveyard, causing the exiled creature to return instantly. Additionally, remember that Secret Invasion only grants Ward {2} to the enchanted creature, not the Aura itself, though the creature retains this protection even if it copies a creature that doesn't normally have Ward.

When to Play It

This card is best used when you have a small creature that has outlived its usefulness and your opponent has a powerful creature with static or triggered abilities. Because it provides Ward {2}, it is also an excellent way to protect a vital creature you already own by exiling a secondary threat and simply having your creature 'copy' itself to gain the protection.

Interaction examples

Infiltrating the Bureaucracy

Rhystic Study

You enchant a 1/1 Soldier token with Secret Invasion and target an opponent's creature that has a powerful 'enters the battlefield' effect. While your opponent loses their creature, your Soldier becomes a copy of it. If you also have Rhystic Study on the battlefield, you continue to tax your opponent's spells while your new copy is protected by Ward {2}, making it harder for them to remove your creature to get theirs back.

Setting Up the Defense

Propaganda

With Propaganda in play, your opponent already finds it difficult to attack you. By casting Secret Invasion on your best blocker and exiling your opponent's largest attacker, you force them to pay mana to attack while your blocker copies that large threat. The Ward {2} from Secret Invasion ensures that any attempt to use a removal spell to free their exiled attacker will cost them even more mana, further straining their resources.