Let’s say I cast Phyrexian Metamorph and have it enter as itself while Master Biomancer is out, so it lives via the +1/+1 counters. Then I copy the Metamorph using Sakashima the Impostor, making a legendary Phyrexian Metamorph. Then I equip it with Helm of the Host and go to combat, producing a nonlegendary Sakashima token that’s copying the Metamorph. Then, as it enters the battlefield, I have the Helm-produced copy of the Sakashima/Metamorph enter as a copy of Helm of the Host.
Is the copy a nonlegendary Helm, or does it become legendary when it copies the Helm despite being created with the Helm’s “nonlegendary” effect?
Is the copy a nonlegendary Helm, or does it become legendary when it copies the Helm despite being created with the Helm’s “nonlegendary” effect?
The ability "You may have Phyrexian Metamorph enter the battlefield as a copy of any artifact or creature on the battlefield, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types." replaces all the characteristics it would have had without the copy, including the legendary supertype.
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.
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 {2}{B}{B}). 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 {2}{B}{B} to turn it face up.
The Clone in the first example loses "creature" in the same way that the copy in your question loses "legendary".
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
I think you misread the question.
The Helm is removing the legendary type from the token's copiable values then (a moment later) the token's own replacement effect gives it the legendary type in layer 1.
Actually, I think what I misread is that the Helm itself is legendary, and it's being copied by something that doesn't touch that. Either way, it looks like I'll have to go in detail.
Name: Master Biomancer
Types: Creature — Elf Wizard
Text: Each other creature you control enters the battlefield with a number of additional +1/+1 counters on it equal to P1's power and as a Mutant in addition to its other types.
P/T: 2 / 4
P2 Phyrexian Metamorph not copying anything (and with non-copiable values in parentheses)
Name: Phyrexian Metamorph
Types: Artifact Creature — Shapeshifter (Mutant)
Text: You may have P2 enter the battlefield as a copy of any artifact or creature on the battlefield, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types.
P/T: 0 / 0 (with two +1/+1 counters)
Name: Sakashima the Impostor
Types: Legendary Artifact Creature — Shapeshifter (Mutant)
Text: You may have P3 enter the battlefield as a copy of any artifact or creature on the battlefield, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types. 2UU: Return this creature to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.
P/T: 0 / 0 (with two +1/+1 counters)
Name: Helm of the Host
Types: Legendary Artifact — Equipment
Text: At the beginning of combat on your turn, create a token that's a copy of equipped creature, except the token isn't legendary if equipped creature is legendary. That token gains haste.
Equip 5
P5A token as created by P4's ability
Name: Sakashima the Impostor
Types: Legendary Artifact Creature — Shapeshifter
Text: You may have P5A enter the battlefield as a copy of any artifact or creature on the battlefield, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types. 2UU: Return this creature to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.
(Haste)
P/T: 0 / 0
P5B token as P5A copies P4
Name: Helm of the Host
Types: Legendary Artifact — Equipment
Text: At the beginning of combat on your turn, create a token that's a copy of equipped creature, except the token isn't legendary if equipped creature is legendary. That token gains haste.
Equip 5
(Haste)
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Is the copy a nonlegendary Helm, or does it become legendary when it copies the Helm despite being created with the Helm’s “nonlegendary” effect?
The Clone in the first example loses "creature" in the same way that the copy in your question loses "legendary".
I think you misread the question.
The Helm is removing the legendary type from the token's copiable values then (a moment later) the token's own replacement effect gives it the legendary type in layer 1.
Permanent 1 (P1) Master Biomancer
P2 Phyrexian Metamorph not copying anything (and with non-copiable values in parentheses)
P3 Sakashima the Impostor copying P2 but not using P2's copy ability
P4 Helm of the Host equipping P3
P5A token as created by P4's ability
P5B token as P5A copies P4