Lazav, Dimir Mastermind copying Phytotitan's Upkeep Trigger
Asked by smelly318 9 years ago
If Lazav, Dimir Mastermind copies Phytotitan, when Lazav dies, does it return to the battlefield tapped at the beginning of the player's next upkeep?
I'm unsure if Lazav stays a copy of Phytotitan while in the graveyard. Also, Lazav's copy ability states that Lazav's name is still Lazav, whereas Phytotitan says "When Phytotitan dies....".
nighthawk101 says... #2
Small clarification: Lazav, Dimir Mastermind would not be a copy of Phytotitan while he is in the graveyard, since he has changed zones. However, the triggered ability will still return him to the battlefield.
January 20, 2015 2:41 p.m.
Thank you for the clarification! Been playing MTG for almost 10 years and stuff like this still gets me confused :-P
January 20, 2015 4:07 p.m.
the rule that nighthawk is quoting is rule 706.11:
706.11 "if an effect refers to a permamenet by name the effect still tracks that permanent even if it changes names or becomes a copy of something else"
January 21, 2015 1:38 a.m.
other words Lazav get the ability and even though its name is different it "still tracks that permanent" therefore making it come back tapped as Lazav.
January 21, 2015 1:40 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
In the future, please remember to select an answer to remove this question from the active queue.
nighthawk101 says... Accepted answer #1
Whenever a card refers to itself by name, such as Shivan Dragon or Phytotitan, it actually means "this object."
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind would die while he is copying Phytotitan, and the "When ~ dies..." ability will trigger. You will return Lazav, Dimir Mastermind to the battlefield tapped at the beginning of your next upkeep. He will enter as a new object, and will no longer be copying Phytotitan.
January 20, 2015 2:40 p.m.