Visage Bandit 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
You may have this creature enter as a copy of a creature you control, except it's a Shapeshifter Rogue in addition to its other types. Plot(You may pay
Complete guide
Visage Bandit is a versatile Shapeshifter from the Outlaws of Thunder Junction set that can mimic your best units. Thanks to its Plot ability, you can set it aside early to perfectly time a powerful entrance later in the game.
Identity Theft and Plotting
Visage Bandit allows you to have it enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature you control, with the slight twist that it remains a Shapeshifter Rogue in addition to its other types. If you choose not to copy anything, it simply enters as a 2/2. Its Plot ability allows you to pay a reduced cost of {2}{U} to exile it from your hand as a sorcery. Once plotted, you can cast it for free on any subsequent turn during your main phase when the stack is empty.
How the Copy Resolves
As Visage Bandit enters the battlefield, you choose a creature you already control. It copies the printed characteristics of that creature, including mana cost, power, toughness, and abilities. It does not copy temporary effects, counters, or Auras attached to that creature. If the creature it copies has an 'enters the battlefield' ability, Visage Bandit will trigger that ability as it arrives. Because the copy effect happens as it enters, it is never on the battlefield as a 2/2 before becoming the copy.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is trying to cast a plotted Visage Bandit on the same turn you plotted it; the rules explicitly forbid this. Additionally, if you plot the card, you cannot choose to pay alternative costs when casting it from exile, though you must still pay mandatory additional costs. Remember that if you copy a creature with {X} in its mana cost, X will always be 0. Finally, you cannot copy a creature that is entering the battlefield at the exact same time as Visage Bandit; it must already be present.
When to Play It
Plotting Visage Bandit is ideal when you have a powerful 'enters the battlefield' creature in hand that you plan to play next turn. By plotting the Bandit now, you ensure that on the following turn, you can play your threat and immediately follow up with the Bandit for free to double down on that creature's impact without needing extra mana.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumFirst, you have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield. When you cast Visage Bandit (perhaps for free from exile via Plot), you choose to have it enter as a copy of the Simulacrum. Because it enters as the Simulacrum, its 'enters the battlefield' ability triggers, allowing you to search for another basic land. Since it is also a Shapeshifter Rogue, it maintains those types alongside being an Artifact Creature — Golem.
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne (with Golem chosen as its type), and Visage Bandit enters as a copy of it, you will choose a type for the Bandit-Throne (e.g., Rogue). Now, because the Bandit is a 'Shapeshifter Rogue Golem', it satisfies the criteria for both Thrones. If another Rogue's ability triggers, it will now trigger two additional times (once for each Throne).
PlotDuring your main phase with an empty stack, you pay {2}{U} to plot Visage Bandit. It is moved to the exile zone. You cannot cast it this turn. On your next turn, you choose to cast it from exile for {0}. As it resolves, you choose a creature you control to copy. If your board was wiped in between, the Bandit can still enter as a 2/2 Shapeshifter Rogue.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Visage Bandit
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Except for the listed exceptions, Visage Bandit copies exactly what was printed on the original creature 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.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature has
in its mana cost, X is 0.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature is a token, Visage Bandit copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token, with the stated exceptions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied creature is copying something else, then Visage Bandit enters the battlefield as whatever that creature copied, with the stated exceptions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Visage Bandit enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters the battlefield” or “[this creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the copied creature will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If Visage Bandit somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Visage Bandit can’t become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that’s already on the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Visage Bandit simply enters the battlefield as a 2/2 Shapeshifter Rogue creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
Plot abilities are written “Plot [cost],” which means “Any time you have priority during your main phase while the stack is empty, you may pay [cost] and exile this card from your hand. It becomes plotted.”
Card named in this ruling
- #9· Wizards of the Coast
Exiling a card using its plot ability is a special action. Once you announce you’re taking that action, no other player can respond by trying to remove that card from your hand.
Card named in this ruling
- #10· Wizards of the Coast
You can’t cast a plotted card on the same turn it became plotted. On any future turn, you may cast that card from exile without paying its mana cost during your main phase while the stack is empty.
Card named in this ruling
- #11· Wizards of the Coast
If you’re casting a plotted card from exile without paying its mana cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the plotted card has any mandatory additional costs, those must still be paid to cast the spell.
Card named in this ruling
- #12· Wizards of the Coast
If a plotted card has
in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.Card named in this ruling
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Meta decks with Visage Bandit
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