If the names of creature tokens are their creature types, what are then the names of noncreature tokens?
Asked by justincase 6 years ago
I thought tokens were nameless unless otherwise specified.Then when I looked it up to confirm it, I found this answer:
"110.5c A spell or ability that creates a creature token sets both its name and its creature type. If the spell or ability doesnt specify the name of the creature token, its name is the same as its creature type(s). A Goblin Scout creature token, for example, is named Goblin Scout and has the creature subtypes Goblin and Scout. Once a token is on the battlefield, changing its name doesnt change its creature type, and vice versa.
All tokens have names. The card will either define the name, or the name will be the same as the token's creature types. Since they all have names, Echoing Truth will affect all of the ones that have the same name as the originally targeted one."
So what about noncreature tokens?
To my knowledge the only effect that creates noncreature tokens (other than creating copies of things) is investigating, which creates tokens with the clue subtype. The vestion you quoted appears out of date, as the current version refers to subtype, rather than creature type, the current version makes it so the name of these tokens is clue:
110.5c A spell or ability that creates a token sets both its name and its subtype. If the spell or ability doesn't specify the name of the token, its name is the same as its subtype(s). A "Goblin Scout creature token," for example, is named "Goblin Scout" and has the creature subtypes Goblin and Scout. Once a token is on the battlefield, changing its name doesn't change its subtype, and vice versa.
For a token that's a copy, it has the same name as the permanent it's copying:
706.2. When copying an object, the copy acquires the copiable values of the original object's characteristics and, for an object on the stack, choices made when casting or activating it (mode, targets, the value of X, whether it was kicked, how it will affect multiple targets, and so on). The "copiable values" are the values derived from the text printed on the object (that text being name, mana cost, color indicator, card type, subtype, supertype, rules text, power, toughness, and/or loyalty), as modified by other copy effects, by its face-down status, and by "as . . . enters the battlefield" and "as . . . is turned face up" abilities that set power and toughness (and may also set additional characteristics). Other effects (including type-changing and text-changing effects), status, and counters are not copied.
June 8, 2017 2:06 p.m.
Another is Tezzeret the Schemer's +1 ability. It makes a "Etherium Cell" artifact token and no subtypes.
June 8, 2017 4:16 p.m.
Ah, true enough. Those would be nameless, except that the ability names them.
June 8, 2017 4:36 p.m.
To my knowledge, the only cards that make noncreature tokens are as follows:
Gold - Gild & King Macar, the Gold-Cursed
Etherium Cell - Tezzeret the Schemer
Land Mine - Goblin Kaboomist
Stone Forged Blade - Nahiri, the Lithomancer
Clue - Investigate from SOI (Tireless Tracker)
BlueScope says... #1
It works just the same, really. Typically, noncreature tokens provide a name when they're created, such as Clue tokens - their name, as well as subtype, is "Clue". The other kind of noncreature token that exists is a copy of a noncreature permanent, which obviously will have the original permanent's name and subtype.
To my knowledge, there are no exceptions to this schema, but if you have a card in mind, please post it.
June 8, 2017 12:47 p.m.