Taskmaster, Mercenary Mimic 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
Photographic Reflexes — At the beginning of your first main phase, until your next turn, Taskmaster becomes a copy of up to one target creature on the battlefield or creature card in a graveyard, except his name is Taskmaster, Mercenary Mimic and he's a legendary Human Mercenary Villain creature.
Complete guide
Taskmaster, Mercenary Mimic is a versatile legendary creature that uses his Photographic Reflexes to adapt to any threat on the battlefield or in the graveyard. By assuming the abilities of others while retaining his unique identity, he serves as a powerful utility piece in Dimir decks. This guide explores how to maximize his copying potential across different phases of the game.
Understanding Photographic Reflexes
Taskmaster's ability triggers at the beginning of your first main phase. Unlike many clones that enter the battlefield as a copy, Taskmaster is already on the battlefield and transforms for a duration. The effect lasts until your next turn, meaning he maintains the chosen form throughout your combat phase, your opponents' turns, and even your next upkeep.
The Copying Process Step-by-Step
First, the trigger goes on the stack at the start of your pre-combat main phase. You choose up to one target creature currently on the battlefield or a creature card in any graveyard. As the ability resolves, Taskmaster gains all the characteristics of that card, such as its power, toughness, and abilities. However, he explicitly keeps his name as 'Taskmaster, Mercenary Mimic' and retains his types: Legendary Human Mercenary Villain.
Crucial Interactions and Restrictions
Because Taskmaster is already on the battlefield when he becomes a copy, he does not trigger 'Enters the Battlefield' (ETB) abilities of the creature he copies. If the chosen creature has an ability that triggers 'when this creature enters,' it will not fire. Similarly, because he retains his original name, the Legend Rule only applies if you control another actual card named 'Taskmaster, Mercenary Mimic,' not if you copy another legendary creature with a different name.
When to Deploy the Taskmaster
Taskmaster is best utilized when there are creatures with powerful static or triggered abilities that trigger during combat or on opponents' turns. Since he can target graveyards, he also acts as a flexible tool to recover abilities from creatures that have already been destroyed, allowing you to benefit from the best cards played by any player.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf Taskmaster copies Solemn Simulacrum, he gains the ability to draw a card when he dies. Note that because Taskmaster is already on the battlefield, you do not get to search for a land. However, if he is destroyed while he is a copy of the Golem, the 'When this creature dies' ability will trigger correctly because he had that ability at the moment he left the battlefield.
Roaming ThroneIf you target Roaming Throne with Taskmaster's ability, Taskmaster becomes a copy of the Throne. You choose a creature type as the effect applies. If you choose 'Villain', Taskmaster (who is always a Villain) will now have Ward {2} and will cause the triggered abilities of your other Villains to trigger an additional time. This creates a powerful synergy where Taskmaster supports his own creature types.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Taskmaster, Mercenary Mimic
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
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