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Is MTG Copy Free? Yes, and Here‘s How To Use Copying To Your Advantage

Copying spells in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is one of the most useful – and free – tools available to players. When you copy a spell or ability, you put it on the stack without having to pay its mana cost again. This multiplication of effects for free provides huge advantages!

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover everything an intermediate MTG player needs to know about copying, from basic rules to advanced strategy. Whether you‘re looking to build a new copying-focused deck or want to maximize value from cards you already own, you‘ll learn tons of tips to step up your copying game.

The Power Of "Free" Copies

First, let‘s establishes the golden rule: Copying a spell or ability in MTG does not require paying its mana cost again.

You simply put a copy of the spell onto the stack, choosing any new targets if needed. All costs paid for the original are still considered paid.

This gives copies incredible value: multiplying effects without increasing costs. As streaming expert DesolatorMagic explains:

"Copying spells is one of the most broken things you can do in Magic. Getting two spells for the price of one warps the game in your favor."

Now, there are still limits. You can only have 4 total copies max between both originals and copies combined. And the copy depends on the original – if it leaves play, often the copy fizzles.

But with those caveats, copying is an extremely powerful tool at any MTG player‘s disposal. Let‘s explore how you can take full advantage.

Copying Enables More Streamlined Decks

Since copies are free, you can build your deck a bit differently:

  • Run fewer copies of expensive cards: 2 copies plus ways to copy might be enough, instead of needing the full 4x.

  • Prioritize copying effects: Cards like [[Fork]], [[Reverberate]], and [[Isochron Scepter]] become all-stars.

For example, say you‘re playing a blue-red spells deck. You could run:

  • 2x [[Time Warp]] (5 mana for an extra turn)
  • 3x [[Fork]] (2 mana to copy a spell)

Rather than running the full 4x Time Warp, you just need 2 copies plus Fork for extra copies. This frees up space for more versatility.

When Should You Copy Spells?

Copying powerful spells at key moments can win games. But what are the best targets?

According to TCGplayer‘s metagame analysis, some top contenders are:

  • Extra turn spells: [[Time Warp]], [[Time Stretch]]
  • Board wipes: [[Wrath of God]], [[Damnation]]
  • Big creatures: [[Serra Angel]], [[Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider]]
  • Card draw: [[Harmonize]], [[Blue Sun‘s Zenith]]

Cards that generate big splashy effects or card advantage tend to be the most impactful to copy. You‘ll get the effect twice for the price of one!

For example, copying a Wrath of God with Reverberate against an aggro deck can completely swing a game. Or copying an extra turn spell like Time Warp essentially gives you two turns in a row – a huge tempo boost.

When choosing targets, prioritize spells that are:

  • Expensive: Get more value from higher cost cards.
  • Game changing: Creates big board or card advantage swings.
  • Flexible: Has variable or modular effects.

Just don‘t fall into the trap of copying cards with marginal impact. I see many new players waste copies on cheap cantrips or weak creatures. Be patient and wait for the real power plays.

Common Mistakes Players Make With Copying

Copying spells seems easy – just cast the copy! But there are some nuances and rules to watch out for:

1. Not tapping mana properly

Even though copies are free, you need to pay for the original spell normally. Make sure to tap all the mana before putting the copy on the stack.

2. Forgetting the 4 copy limit

Only 4 combined copies of a card are allowed in your deck, including both originals and copies generated from effects.

3. Assuming copies trigger effects

Copies don‘t trigger "when cast" abilities since they were not cast from hand. Likewise, copies can‘t transform DFCs.

4. Depending too much on the original

If your strategy relies on a copy, remember that the copy depends on the original source. If it gets countered or removed, the copy is impacted.

Be mindful of these areas, especially when first starting out with copying effects. It‘s easy to make small mistakes that sabotage your plans!

Copying Has Risks Too

While copying provides immense power, it also comes with inherent risks you should be aware of:

  • You need the original spell first. Drawing copies without sources is useless.
  • Deck space used on copies effects could be used for more flexible cards.
  • Opponents can disrupt your strategy by removing sources.
  • Drawing multiple copies with no targets can clog up your hand.

As YouTube MTG expert MTGGoldfish warns:

"Copying spells can be amazing when it works, but the strategy can fizzle if your synergies don‘t line up. Include enough card flow and flexibility."

The key is to balance copies with other playable cards so your deck still functions if the perfect copying scenario doesn‘t arise. As fun as it is to pull off copying combos, don‘t go overboard building your entire deck around it.

Special Interactions To Know About

Some cards have unique interactions when copied that are good to know about:

  • Planeswalker abilities: Copying them doesn‘t affect their loyalty counters. Those are paid as an activation cost. So you can copy the effect without impacting the planeswalker.

  • Kicked spells: If you kick a spell and then copy it, the copy enters as kicked also. You didn‘t have to pay the kicker cost again, since that was already paid for the original.

  • Additional costs: Similar to kicker, any additional costs like buyback are retained on the copy without having to pay again.

  • Enters the battlefield (ETB) triggers: These triggers go on the stack for both the original and the copy. Things that care about creatures entering, like [[Panharmonicon]], give you extra value from copies.

Learn these special interactions so you can spot key cards to target for copying or combo potentials.

Improving Your Deck‘s Consistency

Beyond copying, there are other ways to power up your deck and improve consistency:

  • Run the max 4 copies of most non-land cards. This makes them very likely to draw.

  • Lower your mana curve so you can play more cards per turn.

  • Include card draw and tutors to increase options and velocity.

According to Frank Karsten‘s statistical analysis, ideal land counts for 60 card decks are:

Average CMCRecommended Lands
1.016 lands
1.517 lands
2.018 lands
2.519 lands
3.020 lands
3.521 lands
4.022 lands

Follow these tips to build a smooth-running, efficient deck. Combining a solid baseline with copying effects provides next-level potential.

Rarity Matters When Copying

Speaking of power and price…let‘s talk about the rarest, most valuable MTG cards that also make juicy copying targets:

The Power Nine

[[Black Lotus]] [[Time Walk]] [[Timetwister]] [[Mox Sapphire]] [[Mox Jet]] [[Mox Ruby]] [[Mox Emerald]] [[Mox Pearl]] [[Ancestral Recall]]

These ultra-rare cards from MTG‘s earliest sets are priceless collectibles today. Even one is a treasure – imagine copying something like Black Lotus or Time Walk!

While most players don‘t have Power Nine cards, it‘s fun to dream about pulling off such clones.

Other Notable Rare and Mythic Cards

Beyond the Power Nine, there are plenty of other valuable, powerful cards perfect for copying:

  • [[Force of Will]] – $120+
  • [[Liliana of the Veil]] – $80+
  • [[Noble Hierarch]] – $60+
  • [[Tarmogoyf]] – $50+
  • [[Snapcaster Mage]] – $50+

Playing multiples of these iconic cards in one turn through copying would be incredible!

Of course, copying any solid rare or mythic feels great. But these chase cards provide truly immense value. Even just one copy can turn a game.

Odds of Drawing Your Cards

We‘ve covered many strategies around deck building and copying. But at its core, MTG revolves around drawing the right cards (and mana) at the right time.

How likely you are to draw a certain card depends on two key factors:

1. Number of copies (up to 4x)

2. Total deck size (typically 60 cards)

According to mathematician and MTGGoldfish writer, SaffronOlive, here are the odds of having a certain card in your opening hand:

CopiesOdds in 60 Card Deck
1x39.9%
2x65.4%
3x78.4%
4x90.7%

As you can see, every additional copy substantially increases your consistency in finding that card early.

This is why powerful spells you want to cast or copy every game need the full 4x copies. Cards that are more situational can have fewer copies.

When building your deck, use these percentages to make informed decisions about how many copies you need of key cards to reliably draw them when needed.

Closing Thoughts on Copying in MTG

Copying spells and abilities for free generates immense, game-warping value in Magic: The Gathering. While new players often underutilize copying, you now have expert knowledge to maximize this feature.

Here are some final tips to recap:

  • Copy expensive, modular spells for the most impact.

  • Balance copies with other playable cards to avoid fizzling.

  • Watch for special interactions that retain costs like kicker.

  • Improve consistency with 4x copies, draw, and ramp.

  • Copying rare, powerful cards feels awesome!

Hopefully this guide has provided everything you need to level up your copying skills. Just remember – when you copy a spell, you don‘t pay its costs again. So don‘t hesitate to double up on your best cards and go for game winning plays.

Have fun and keep slinging spells!

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Michael

Michael Reddy is a tech enthusiast, entertainment buff, and avid traveler who loves exploring Linux and sharing unique insights with readers.