Well, Phrexian Metamorph was something to give Phrexian power Cryptosplasm is a card that uses less mana This card dies if it becomes a target of an ability
all in all, Clone is still a single card just there have been small minute changes to it, lol
You'd think this guy will be big in standard. Just so long as Goblin Tunneler isn't running rampant.
Cool trick, even without copying Lord of the Unreal you can choose something with shroud because it doesn't target.
blink182zombies
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(5 votes)
Very good with Sun Titan or as blue removal against legendary creatures. Obvious combo with Lord of the Unreal and the rest of the illusions.
Huffytreefolkman
★☆☆☆☆ (1.3/5.0)(3 votes)
play 2 of them on turn 2 with lord of unreal on the board.
Gabriel422
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Just copying something with enter-the-battlefield abilities, like Titans, Acidic Slime or Skinrender. You'll still get something even if they can kill this.
jfigura
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.7/5.0)(3 votes)
except it's an Illusion in addition to its other types and it gains "When this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it."
So the issue here is... Someone who claims Hexproof trumps the language above. I don't see how. If it becomes a target, that player has to sacrifice whether Hexproof or not.
Xilinoc
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(2 votes)
@jfigura: The reason that Hexproof trumps the ability is that it won't be sacrificed unless you target it yourself. Therefore, the ability is considerably nullified, seeing as how all you have to do is not target it. The ability's only drawback before Hexproof was that the opponent could target it withGideon's Lawkeeper, or whatnot, and it would be gone.
bijart_dauth
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
I like to use this to copy my lord of the unreal. So now all my illusions get +2/+2, and I now have a 4/4 and you can't spot remove my hex proof.
Guest1524274415
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(6 votes)
Turn 1: Phantom Bear Turn 2: Lord of the Unreal Turn 3: Phantasmal Image of Lord of the Unreal. and for good measure, another Bear. Yes to 3 4/4 hexproof creatures on turn 3.
Just keep 2 mana open to negate the board wipe and you are good
Illusion Tribal, here I come
Gelzo
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(19 votes)
So I get the flavor reasoning for a planeswalker or legendary permanent to hit the graveyard once another person summons it, but how do you justify that happening when you create an illusion that looks and behaves like one? Do they have a heart attack once they see themselves? Existential crisis? Immediate fight to the death?
eskan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The real question is "Phyrexian Metamorph of this?" Each has its advantages and disadvantages...
I sincerely hate this card. This card makes playing against Birthing Pod entirely not fun. If he resolves only one Birthing Pod, he can pretty much lock you completely down with this guy, copying his or even your Acidic Slime, then sacing it for a Sun Titan, getting it back, making it another Sun Titan or blowing up one more land - and you can't do anything, because the "Phantasmal" part about him never is important.
Birthing Pod mirrors essentially come down to who can get his first Pod out and start this string, that completely obliterates his opponent.
They should not have never printed this card, they should have just reprinted Clone - it was fine.
Andon_A
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(11 votes)
OK. So. Let's say somehow you have four of these and a Lord of the Unreal in your yard.
Cast Sun Titan. Bring back one of these, copying Sun Titan. Bring back another one, copying Sun Titan Bring back another one, copying Sun Titan Bring back another one, copying Sun Titan. Bring back Lord of the Unreal.
You just paid 6 mana for six creatures. One is a 6/6. Four are 7/7 with Hexproof. The last is Lord of the Unreal.
BuffJittePLZ
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Antares2: Destroy the Acidic Slime in response to his Birthing Pod's ability. Problem solved.
Dr_Fletchers
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
Aren't blue cards getting a hell lot funner :-)
InfectSwampWalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The art for this card should be a sun titan being copied lol
metalevolence
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What's the thing being copied in the art?
Caitiebug
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If the creature you've copied with this card, if its destroyed, does the copy also destroyed?
(Since my humor doesn't seem to translate well to the intrawebz, that's a joke.)
Tempted_Johnny
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Can be attached to Nim Deathmantle, but no other equipment I know of.
YokeOfTheDamned
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is a great card in an ally deck with cards like ondu cleric or in a deck with any allys. its a great card 5 stars
AncientTimer
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(6 votes)
Blue clones are getting better and better. Extremely cheap and efficient. Kills legends including Thrun with very small mana investment. Undercosted even with drawback.
Casseerole
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This copies abilites such as Hexproof and Shroud as well, correct?
Andon_A: What you do is use Unburial Rites to bring back the first Sun Titan. This brings the cost down and means you can just keep milling yourself until all that stuff is in your graveyard.
SweetoothTKC
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Want to make your brain hurt? At FNM last night I did. My opponent activated an Inkmoth in response to me moving to my attack phase. I decided not to attack and, instead, Imaged his Inkmoth. What did I get? A NON-activated Inkmoth that could tap for mana! He tried to Gut Shot it but, as it was not a creature, was not a legal target so he used it on my Snapcaster. And that, my friends, is how a Delver deck poisoned Wolf Run for the win.
Something tells me that Wizards wanted to give the term "mirror match" a more literal meaning. With Havengul Lich and Back from the Brink, the copying will never end.
firearasi
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Now we can even copy undead creatures for more value.
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Because a 2-converted mana cost Phyrexian Obliterator, that can Birthing Pod into ANOTHER Phyrexian Obliterator.....yeah, that's fair. Players will like that.
WHAT THE F.........................................................................!
@JimmyNoobPlayer "Okay, so how is this not a targeting spell? It requires you to point out a single specific creature."
This isn't a targeting spell because it doesn't say the word "target" in any way shape or form in the ability that allows it to copy a creature, with exception to the part where it gains the ability "When this becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it."
Flavor wise, you can think of it as the difference between looking at someone at the battlefield, and throwing a snowball at that same person. When you copy it, you're just looking, when you're throwing the snowball... well... you're targeting them with a snowball. When it hits the illusion, the illusion goes pop.
"Next they'll print Catastrophe Blade: destroy any creature on the battlefield."
Let's see, you can copy your own Drogskol Captain to negate this card's drawback, while further boosting your Lingering Souls tokens and protecting your original Captain. Or you get rid of your opponent's Geist of Saint Traft so you can play your own. Or you can just copy bombs like Inferno Titan or Frost Titan.
No wonder this card is $15.
Ulixes_Pyr
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Guys, guys... you are all doing it all wrong. Drogskol Captain, then this guy.... repeat.
DrakeGroth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I am too nice.
My opponent has Lord of the Unreal on the field and then casts this. In response to his casting I bounce the Lord and he pretends he never cast Phantasmal Image and keeps it in his hand and untaps the two islands... I let him do it.
Now, realistically he has to choose a new target for the Phantasmal Image right? If there was no other creature on the field then Phantasmal Image would just get sent to the grave due to his 0 toughness right?
zeeehmtee
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Better then Phyrexian Metamorph, I dont know why that cards rated higher then this beauty right here
j_mindfingerpainter
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(4 votes)
Sometimes I think WotC considers if cards are fair before they print them. Then they print cards like this.
Okay, so how is this not a targeting spell? It requires you to point out a single specific creature. Next they'll print Catastrophe Blade: destroy any creature on the battlefield.
Edit: Don't assume I'm THAT much of a noob, FluffyThing. :-) I guess I'm starting to appreciate more exotic rule interactions like Phantasmal Image's. I had just learned about the importance of the word "target" when I read this card, and it offended my sensibilities.
Enelysios
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A clone for two. I don't care about the drawback, this clones for two mana!! It even has the great not-technically-targetting effect to get around protection! (This kills Progenitus) I really want four of these for... every one of my blue decks?
I suppose that probably makes this a bit over-powered.
atemu1234
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
It's basically at minimum a illusion version of any creature on the battlefield. Should've costed {3}{U}.
Cygore
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Use this to copy creatures with 'when this creature enters the battlefield' because of its low mana cost to get good combos-works with my WB Splicer deck as a fast replacement for Phyrexian Metamorph and helps keep your two mana open for mana leak. This card also works great with creatures that have Undying such as Geralf's Messenger because you can get it out early as a copy, and when it dies it can become a copy of something that's better suited for late game if needed.
gman92
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is lower rated than Phyrexian Metamorph because it's about par with it. Don't forget that the Metamorph is more splashable and copies artifacts as well.
Mode
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
For two mana, this is just ridiculously great. The biggest part of the drawback is that you won't be able to target it with activated abilities, Auras or the like. But this trigger might even turn out as an advantage since it can save your phantasm from exile, so you can still Unearth it later. Sure, it will also die to a Mother of Runes or a Rancor to the head, but dang. You got a clone for a mere two mana. And you can always copy one of your hexproof creatures so you don't have to worry about your opponent's spells. Unless it's a sweeper.
Xycolian
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Copies the biggest threat on the board for 2 mana? sign me up!
The "downside" of this card really isn't a downside, as you're forcing your opponent to either waste a beneficial spell (like Giant Growth) or some other card that's able to target a creature, and considering this card is only 2 mana there's not much to lose.
And who doesn't like killing legendary creatures that might have shroud, hexproof, or indestructibility for a measly 2 mana?
Osprey_93
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I copied a Progenitus with this once, it paints an interesting image seeing a hydra implode from an existential crisis of seeing a mirage :P
Anzu-chan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
For two, you have a classic clone, but with one drawback : if it's targetted, it dies automatically. It's a drawback you must have in mind : anything that target it can be a Murder for him. Always have a ready counterspell in case.
Oh well, never mind, just clone Troll Ascetic and say "umad bro?" at its controller.
5/5
spartan7023
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i love this card. my opponent plays a powerful creature and i say thats cool me too for 2 mana except lord of the unreal says that mine is better than yours, in mono blue!!!
Lifegainwithbite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What this reads as for EDH: Destroy target commander or legendary creature. It can't be regenerated.
adrian.malacoda
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't like this card.
Mainly because I like legendary creatures, and this is just too easy of an answer. Nothing stops the legend rule except Mirror Gallery. A 20/20 hexproof indestructible protection from everything still dies to this 1U creature, and there isn't a lick you can do about it, except to counter the Image. Sure you could maybe respond with Ghostway and then remove the image before your guy comes back, I guess.
The legend rule itself is enough of a handicap. I think clone effects should be exempt from that.
Update: As of July 13 2013, the legend rule is being revamped to allow multiple players to control copies of a legend. While I kinda think that might be going a bit far in the other direction, I'm relieved that blue no longer has a 2cmc kill spell.
@MrFluffyThing
"Destroy any creature" in that comment was worded to get around "targeting" entirely. It's an effect that doesn't target, and presumably gets around protection and shroud/hexproof.
I'm perfectly ok with this not targeting, though. It doesn't do anything to the copied creature... well, unless it's legendary of course, grumble grumble.
STARTING JULY 2013 THIS CARD WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION AS UNTARGETTED REMOVAL FOR PESKY LEGENDS.
Ananeos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Gelzo
I would imagine a paradox would happen and they both would zap out of existence.
But then there is the 2013 rule change so my theory doesn't really work in this case...
SAUS3
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Yes! M14 rules say **** you to this guy! No more 2 mana make anyone's commander die unless they have a counterspell in EDH.
EyeballFrog
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This creature may have the least relevant downside ever.
sceadu
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Zylo- Phantasmal Image's ability doesn't target the chosen creature.
"Protection from everything" means the following: Progenitus can't be blocked, Progenitus can't be enchanted or equipped, Progenitus can't be the target of spells or abilities, and all damage that would be dealt to Progenitus is prevented.
Both of those are from the gatherer rules thingy. you sir are an idiot.
Arachnos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@adrian: not anymore, it doesn't.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Sun Titan makes this retarded broken. Okay I copy your early game creature and force you to deal with it. Now when I hit 6 mana, I power out 2 sun titans.
mdakw576
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is by far one of my favorite blue creatures. I try to stuff one in every blue EDH deck I have. Cloning ridiculous bombs for only 2 mana is ridiculous, and even at 3 mana I would strongly still consider playing it.
Comments (66)
Kind of hard to take that seriously :P
Have fun.
Cryptosplasm is a card that uses less mana
This card dies if it becomes a target of an ability
all in all, Clone is still a single card
just there have been small minute changes to it, lol
"Not so fast, handsome."
Cool trick, even without copying Lord of the Unreal you can choose something with shroud because it doesn't target.
So the issue here is... Someone who claims Hexproof trumps the language above. I don't see how. If it becomes a target, that player has to sacrifice whether Hexproof or not.
Turn 2: Lord of the Unreal
Turn 3: Phantasmal Image of Lord of the Unreal. and for good measure, another Bear. Yes to 3 4/4 hexproof creatures on turn 3.
Just keep 2 mana open to negate the board wipe and you are good
Illusion Tribal, here I come
Birthing Pod mirrors essentially come down to who can get his first Pod out and start this string, that completely obliterates his opponent.
They should not have never printed this card, they should have just reprinted Clone - it was fine.
Cast Sun Titan. Bring back one of these, copying Sun Titan.
Bring back another one, copying Sun Titan
Bring back another one, copying Sun Titan
Bring back another one, copying Sun Titan.
Bring back Lord of the Unreal.
You just paid 6 mana for six creatures. One is a 6/6. Four are 7/7 with Hexproof. The last is Lord of the Unreal.
(Since my humor doesn't seem to translate well to the intrawebz, that's a joke.)
Phantasmal Image
Phyrexian Metamorph
Cryptoplasm
Evil Twin
Cackling Counterpart
Quicksilver Gargantuan
Something tells me that Wizards wanted to give the term "mirror match" a more literal meaning. With Havengul Lich and Back from the Brink, the copying will never end.
WHAT THE F.........................................................................!
"Okay, so how is this not a targeting spell? It requires you to point out a single specific creature."
This isn't a targeting spell because it doesn't say the word "target" in any way shape or form in the ability that allows it to copy a creature, with exception to the part where it gains the ability "When this becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it."
Flavor wise, you can think of it as the difference between looking at someone at the battlefield, and throwing a snowball at that same person. When you copy it, you're just looking, when you're throwing the snowball... well... you're targeting them with a snowball. When it hits the illusion, the illusion goes pop.
"Next they'll print Catastrophe Blade: destroy any creature on the battlefield."
Well... Avatar of Woe
No wonder this card is $15.
My opponent has Lord of the Unreal on the field and then casts this. In response to his casting I bounce the Lord and he pretends he never cast Phantasmal Image and keeps it in his hand and untaps the two islands... I let him do it.
Now, realistically he has to choose a new target for the Phantasmal Image right? If there was no other creature on the field then Phantasmal Image would just get sent to the grave due to his 0 toughness right?
@ adrian.malacoda: You must like Brothers Yamazaki.
Edit: Don't assume I'm THAT much of a noob, FluffyThing. :-) I guess I'm starting to appreciate more exotic rule interactions like Phantasmal Image's. I had just learned about the importance of the word "target" when I read this card, and it offended my sensibilities.
I suppose that probably makes this a bit over-powered.
The biggest part of the drawback is that you won't be able to target it with activated abilities, Auras or the like.
But this trigger might even turn out as an advantage since it can save your phantasm from exile, so you can still Unearth it later.
Sure, it will also die to a Mother of Runes or a Rancor to the head, but dang. You got a clone for a mere two mana.
And you can always copy one of your hexproof creatures so you don't have to worry about your opponent's spells. Unless it's a sweeper.
The "downside" of this card really isn't a downside, as you're forcing your opponent to either waste a beneficial spell (like Giant Growth) or some other card that's able to target a creature, and considering this card is only 2 mana there's not much to lose.
And who doesn't like killing legendary creatures that might have shroud, hexproof, or indestructibility for a measly 2 mana?
Oh well, never mind, just clone Troll Ascetic and say "umad bro?" at its controller.
5/5
Mainly because I like legendary creatures, and this is just too easy of an answer. Nothing stops the legend rule except Mirror Gallery. A 20/20 hexproof indestructible protection from everything still dies to this 1U creature, and there isn't a lick you can do about it, except to counter the Image. Sure you could maybe respond with Ghostway and then remove the image before your guy comes back, I guess.
Phyrexian Metamorph is even worse because it can be splashed easier.
The legend rule itself is enough of a handicap. I think clone effects should be exempt from that.
Update: As of July 13 2013, the legend rule is being revamped to allow multiple players to control copies of a legend. While I kinda think that might be going a bit far in the other direction, I'm relieved that blue no longer has a 2cmc kill spell.
@MrFluffyThing
"Destroy any creature" in that comment was worded to get around "targeting" entirely. It's an effect that doesn't target, and presumably gets around protection and shroud/hexproof.
I'm perfectly ok with this not targeting, though. It doesn't do anything to the copied creature... well, unless it's legendary of course, grumble grumble.
I would imagine a paradox would happen and they both would zap out of existence.
But then there is the 2013 rule change so my theory doesn't really work in this case...
"Protection from everything" means the following: Progenitus can't be blocked, Progenitus can't be enchanted or equipped, Progenitus can't be the target of spells or abilities, and all damage that would be dealt to Progenitus is prevented.
Both of those are from the gatherer rules thingy. you sir are an idiot.