What all does Donal, Herald of Wings copy?
Asked by CamraMaan 1 year ago
Does Donal, Herald of Wings copy whether or not a creature spell is kicked, or copy any other additional costs paid? Like, say I kick Academy Drake? Does the copy enter with two +1/+1 counters on it...? What if a creature had an X casting cost? Will a copy of Murktide Regent ETB with the same number of +1/+1 counters as the original card? Also, what happens when Donal copies Sturmgeist? Is it a 1/1 or a x/x? (It won't let me post with stars for the P/T) As always, thanks in advance for the help! :)
TheVectornaut says... Accepted answer #1
There is an entire section of the rules dedicated to dealing with fringe copy situations just like this. The first rule to note is 707.10: "[...] A copy of a spell or ability copies both the characteristics of the spell or ability and all decisions made for it, including modes, targets, the value of X, and additional or alternative costs. (See rule 601, “Casting Spells.”) Choices that are normally made on resolution are not copied. If an effect of the copy refers to objects used to pay its costs, it uses the objects used to pay the costs of the original spell or ability. [...]" The first part of this rule tells you that values of x, kickers, and any other alternative/additional costs paid for the original spell will also apply to the copy. Hence, a copy of a kicked Academy Drake will enter as a token with 2 +1/+1 counters. The second part of this rule explains that objects used to pay costs will be referenced by the copy. So a copy of Murktide Regent that has delved for 4 instants/sorceries will enter as a token with 4 +1/+1 counters.
For the last question, consider rule 707.9d: "When applying a copy effect that doesn’t copy a certain characteristic, retains one or more original values for a certain characteristic, or provides a specific set of values for a certain characteristic, any characteristic-defining ability (see rule 604.3) of the object being copied that defines that characteristic is not copied. [...]" Because Donal, Herald of Wings is forcing the copy to be a 1/1, an ability like Sturmgeist's that defines power and toughness will not be copied at all.
August 7, 2022 2:08 a.m.