Altered Ego / Genesis Hydra
Asked by Sparko 4 years ago
If I cast Altered Ego and copy Genesis Hydra , would the X in the cost for Altered Ego activate Genesis Hydra's ability?
I presume the ability you are referring to is "Genesis Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it", and your question is whether the in Altered Ego 's casting cost translates to the X in Genesis Hydra's own replacement effect.
It does not. From the Gatherer ruling on Altered Ego :
If the chosen creature has in its mana cost, that X is considered to be 0. The value of X in Altered Ego’s last ability will be whatever value was chosen for X while casting Altered Ego.
May 21, 2019 1:52 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #3
If you require no further clarification please mark an answer as the accepted answer to remove this post from the unanswered queue.
May 27, 2019 8:26 p.m.
As Gidgetimer mentioned, please remember to hit the “Mark as Answer” button in the future. Since this question has been resolved for a couple days, I have marked an answer on your behalf. Since your question has two possible interpretations, I have decided to mark the answer I did not write.
GreatSword says... Accepted answer #1
I assume you're talking about Genesis Hydra 's triggered ability, as it doesn't have any activated abilities.
Genesis Hydra 's ability triggers when it is cast (goes on the stack, waits to be resolved). By the time Altered Ego copies Genesis Hydra , it's entered the battlefield. It wasn't cast as a Genesis Hydra , it was cast as an Altered Ego . The ability never got a chance to trigger.
May 21, 2019 10:19 a.m.