Do tokens cease to exist when phased out? There are lots of seemingly authoritative sources that say yes, and lots of credible-looking sources that say no. Reference is often made to rule 704.5, which addresses state-based actions, but the only direct reference I can find is rule 704.5d which states "If a token is in a zone other than the battlefield, it ceases to exist."
At one time there was a "phased out zone," but this has been eliminated. It makes sense that a token moving to another zone would cease to exist, so that's obviously how it used to work. Now that the phased-out zone has been eliminated, how does phasing affect tokens? Do tokens still cease to exist when they undergo phasing?
A permanent, token or not, that phases out doesn't actually leave the battlefield (C.R. 702.26d).
Notably, "[t]okens continue to exist while phased out" (C.R. 702.26d); this was a change in the rules with Commander 2017. For details, see the update bulletin for Ixalan, and compare C.R. 702.25k, 110.5f, 704.5d, as were in effect in Hour of Devastation, with those rules as were in effect in Commander 2017.
At one time there was a "phased out zone," but this has been eliminated. It makes sense that a token moving to another zone would cease to exist, so that's obviously how it used to work. Now that the phased-out zone has been eliminated, how does phasing affect tokens? Do tokens still cease to exist when they undergo phasing?
Notably, "[t]okens continue to exist while phased out" (C.R. 702.26d); this was a change in the rules with Commander 2017. For details, see the update bulletin for Ixalan, and compare C.R. 702.25k, 110.5f, 704.5d, as were in effect in Hour of Devastation, with those rules as were in effect in Commander 2017.