Copying A Token Changes The CMC?
Asked by onthestack 13 years ago
If Phantasmal Image copies a 1/1 Spirit creature token, does the converted mana cost of the Phantasmal Image become 0 or remain at 2?
Shavingfoams says... #3
Ahh, nevermind, I was incorrect.
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, expansion symbol, rules text, power, toughness, and/or loyalty), as modified by other copy effects, by "as . . . enters the battlefield" and "as . . . is turned face up" abilities that set characteristics, and by abilities that caused the object to be face down. Other effects (including type-changing and text-changing effects), status, and counters are not copied.Example: Chimeric Staff is an artifact that reads "X: Chimeric Staff becomes an X/X artifact creature until end of turn." Clone is a creature that reads, "You may have Clone enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the battlefield." After a Staff has become a 5/5 artifact creature, a Clone enters the battlefield as a copy of it. The Clone is an artifact, not a 5/5 artifact creature. (The copy has the Staff's ability, however, and will become a creature if that ability is activated.)Example: Clone enters the battlefield as a copy of a face-down Grinning Demon (a creature with morph 2BB). The Clone is a colorless 2/2 creature with no name, no types, no abilities, and no mana cost. It will still be face up. Its controller can't pay 2BB to turn it face up.
Someone tell all the birthing pod players I know
March 20, 2012 11:48 p.m.
To elaborate, Phantasmal Image copies all of the copyable values of the creature that it is copying. One of the copyable values is mana cost. Card colour and CMC are determined by the mana cost. Tokens that are created by an effect like Bitterblossom or Spectral Procession do not have a mana cost, since none was specified by the effect that created them. They therefore have a CMC of zero, and anything that copies them will also have CMC zero.
March 20, 2012 11:49 p.m.
theultrasphinx says... #6
I can't imagine why it would be any different but does this rule also aply to token copies of things? like as in Mirrorworks imprint- pay (2) and make a token copy of imprinted artifact?
March 21, 2012 6:25 a.m.
Yes, the token would have the CMC of whatever it is a copy of.
March 21, 2012 6:44 a.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #8
To expand on Virlym's response: A token has all the characteristics specified by the effect that created it. Most of the time (Lingering Souls, etc.), the effect doesn't give the token a mana cost, but a copy effect copies all copiable characteristics of the original object. Mana cost is one of these characteristics, so a token created by a copy effect does have a mana cost.
March 21, 2012 8:50 a.m.
theultrasphinx says... #9
that's great to know considering the deck I just finished putting together runs Mirrorworks right along side Ratchet Bombs. if I hadn't just glanced at the q&a board and when I did, I would have probably assumed otherwise. that is, right up until some kindly opponent stopped me from $h*t canning my own token copies every other turn. it's practically a pavlovian response at this point after having run tokens almost exclusively for the last several months.
Virlym says... Accepted answer #1
It becomes 0. It becomes the 1/1 Spirit token, with the illusion sac ability.
March 20, 2012 11:42 p.m.