The Legendary Rule in MTG is one of the most fundamental rules. It is a game mechanic that limits the number of legendary permanents that a player can control at any given time. A legendary permanent is a card that has the “Legendary” supertype, which is indicated by a small “L” symbol in the upper left corner of the card.
Understanding the Legendary Rule is crucial for any player who wants to become proficient in the game. It is a rule that affects all formats of Magic, from casual kitchen table games to high-level competitive play. The Legendary Rule has undergone several changes throughout the history of the game, and it continues to evolve with each new set release.
Key Takeaways:
- The Legendary Rule limits the number of legendary permanents that a player can control at any given time.
- Understanding the Legendary Rule is crucial for all Magic players, from casual to competitive.
- The Legendary Rule has undergone several changes throughout the history of the game and continues to evolve with each new set release.
Understanding the Legendary Rule In MTG
As a seasoned MTG player, I know that the Legendary Rule is one of the most important rules in the game. It states that a player cannot control more than one Legendary permanent with the same name at the same time. If a player tries to play two cards of the same name, they have to choose one and put the other into their graveyard. This is called the “legend rule.”
The legend rule applies to all Legendary cards, including Legendary creatures, planeswalkers, and other permanents. It is a state-based action, which means that it is checked by the game engine whenever a player would receive priority.
One important thing to note is that the legend rule only applies if the cards in question are identical in terms of their name. They must be word-for-word interchangeable.
To help players understand the Legendary Rule better, Wizards of the Coast has made some changes to it over the years. For example, in the past, a player could have two copies of the same Legendary creature on the battlefield if they controlled them with different names, such as using a card like [[Mirror Gallery]]. However, this is no longer the case, and the rule only applies to cards with the exact same name.
Overall, the Legendary Rule is a crucial part of MTG gameplay. It helps to balance the power of Legendary cards and adds an extra layer of strategy to the game. As a player, it is important to understand this rule and how it applies to different types of cards.
In summary, the Legendary Rule in MTG is a state-based action that limits a player’s ability to control more than one Legendary permanent with the same name. It applies to all Legendary cards and helps to balance the power of these cards in the game.
The Evolution of the Legendary Rule
As a long-time player of Magic: The Gathering, I have seen the evolution of the Legendary Rule. This rule has undergone several changes throughout the history of the game, and it can be confusing for new players to understand. In this section, I will provide an overview of the evolution of the Legendary Rule.
Early Legendary Rule
The Legendary Rule was first introduced in the Champions of Kamigawa set in 2004. At that time, the rule stated that if a player controlled more than one legendary permanent with the same name, they had to choose one and put the rest into the graveyard. This was a significant change from previous sets, where players could have multiple copies of the same legendary permanent on the battlefield.
Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule
In 2009, the Magic: The Gathering rules were updated to include the Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule. This rule stated that a player could only have one planeswalker with the same subtype on the battlefield at a time. This was a necessary addition to the rules because planeswalkers are powerful cards that can quickly take over a game if left unchecked.
Modern Legendary Rule
The Legendary Rule was updated again in Dominaria in 2018. The new rule stated that if a player controls more than one legendary permanent with the same name, they must choose one and put the rest into the graveyard. This is the current version of the Legendary Rule, and it applies to all legendary permanents, including creatures, artifacts, and lands.
In conclusion, the Legendary Rule has undergone several changes throughout the history of Magic: The Gathering. The current version of the rule is straightforward and easy to understand, but it was not always this way. As a player, it is essential to keep up with the changes in the rules to stay competitive and avoid confusion during gameplay.
Legendary Rule and Card Types
As a Magic: The Gathering player, understanding the Legendary Rule is crucial to building a successful deck. The Legendary Rule is a game mechanic that restricts players from having more than one legendary permanent with the same name on the battlefield at the same time. This rule applies to all card types that have the supertype “Legendary.”
Legendary Creatures
Legendary creatures are some of the most powerful cards in Magic: The Gathering. They are unique creatures that have a significant impact on the game. For example, Gisela, Blade of Goldnight is a legendary creature that has double strike and prevents damage from being dealt to you and your creatures by sources your opponents control.
Legendary Planeswalkers
Legendary Planeswalkers are unique Planeswalker cards that represent powerful characters in the game’s lore. They have powerful abilities that can change the course of the game. For example, Jace, the Mind Sculptor is a legendary Planeswalker that can draw cards, bounce creatures, and even control the top of your opponent’s library.
Legendary Lands
Legendary Lands are lands that have the supertype “Legendary.” They have powerful abilities that can help you win the game. For example, Gaea’s Cradle is a legendary land that taps for one green mana for each creature you control.
Legendary Artifacts
Legendary Artifacts are artifacts that have the supertype “Legendary.” They have powerful abilities that can help you win the game. For example, Mox Opal is a legendary artifact that can tap for any color of mana if you control three or more artifacts.
Legendary Enchantments
Legendary Enchantments are enchantments that have the supertype “Legendary.” They have powerful abilities that can help you win the game. For example, Mirari’s Wake is a legendary enchantment that doubles your mana production and gives your creatures +1/+1.
Legendary Sorceries
Legendary Sorceries are sorceries that have the supertype “Legendary.” They have powerful abilities that can help you win the game. For example, Time of Need is a legendary sorcery that lets you search your library for a legendary creature card and put it into your hand.
In conclusion, understanding the Legendary Rule is crucial to building a successful deck in Magic: The Gathering. By knowing which card types have the supertype “Legendary,” you can build a deck that takes advantage of the most powerful cards in the game.
Gameplay Mechanics Involving Legendary Cards
Legendary cards are a unique and powerful subset of Magic: The Gathering cards. They are often key characters or objects in a set’s story, and as such, have special gameplay mechanics associated with them.
Casting and Resolving Legendary Spells
When casting a legendary spell, players must keep in mind the legendary rule. This rule states that a player cannot control more than one legendary permanent with the same name. If a player has two legendary permanents with the same name, they must choose one to keep and put the other into their owner’s graveyard.
Copying Legendary Permanents
Copying a legendary permanent can be a tricky situation. If a player has a copy of a legendary permanent on the battlefield, they must also have the original permanent on the battlefield. If the original permanent leaves the battlefield, the copy will also be put into the graveyard.
Sacrificing and the Graveyard
Legendary permanents can also be sacrificed for various effects. If a player sacrifices a legendary permanent, it will be put into the graveyard. However, if a legendary permanent is put into the graveyard for any other reason, such as being destroyed or exiled, it will trigger any death triggers associated with it.
Overall, the legendary rule adds an interesting layer of gameplay to Magic: The Gathering. Players must carefully consider their choices when it comes to legendary cards, as they are often powerful but come with unique restrictions.
Legendary Cards in Different Formats
As the name suggests, Legendary cards are unique and powerful cards that represent key people, places, and objects of a set’s story. These cards are also subject to the Legendary Rule, which limits players to controlling only one Legendary permanent with the same name at a time. In this section, I will discuss the role of Legendary cards in different formats of MTG.
Commander Format
Commander is a popular format of MTG that allows players to build a deck around a Legendary creature known as the Commander. In this format, players can include only one copy of each card in their deck, except for basic lands. Since the Commander is a Legendary card, players must ensure that they do not include any other Legendary creature with the same name in their deck. Consequently, players must carefully choose their Commander to build a deck that synergizes well with the Commander’s abilities.
Standard Format
Standard is a format of MTG that allows players to use only the most recent sets of Magic cards. Standard-legal expansion sets rotate out of the format every year, which means that players must constantly update their decks to remain competitive. In this format, Legendary cards play a crucial role in determining the meta-game. Players must consider the strengths and weaknesses of Legendary cards when building their decks to ensure that they can compete against other decks in the format.
In conclusion, Legendary cards are an essential part of MTG gameplay, and their role varies depending on the format. Whether you are playing Commander or Standard, Legendary cards can help you build a powerful deck that can dominate the game.
Notable Legendary Cards and Interactions
Famous Legendary Creatures
As a player of MTG, I have come across several legendary creatures that have made an impact in the game. One of the most famous ones is Jace, the Mind Sculptor. Jace is a blue Planeswalker that has been a part of the game since 2010. He is known for his powerful abilities that allow players to manipulate their opponent’s deck and hand. Another legendary creature that has caught my attention is Sakashima of a Thousand Faces. This creature has the ability to copy any creature on the battlefield, which makes it a versatile card to have in any deck.
The Brothers Yamazaki is another legendary creature that is worth mentioning. This card has a unique ability that allows players to have two of them on the battlefield at the same time. However, if a player controls only one of them, they must sacrifice the other. This makes the card a bit tricky to use, but it can be a powerful addition to any deck.
Intriguing Legendary Planeswalkers
In addition to Jace, there are several other legendary Planeswalkers that have made an impact in the game. One of the most intriguing ones is Mirror Box. This card has the ability to create a token copy of any Planeswalker that is on the battlefield. This can be a powerful tool to use against opponents who rely heavily on their Planeswalkers.
Another legendary Planeswalker that has caught my attention is Cunning Castaway. This card has the ability to create token copies of itself, which can be used to overwhelm opponents. Additionally, the card has the ability to make itself unblockable, which can be a powerful tool to use in combat.
Unique Legendary Interactions
One of the most unique legendary interactions in the game is the interaction between Lazav, Dimir Mastermind and tokens. Lazav has the ability to become a copy of any creature that enters the battlefield or graveyard, which means that it can become a copy of a token creature. This can be a powerful tool to use against opponents who rely heavily on token creatures.
Another interesting interaction is the interaction between Spark Double and Helm of the Host. Spark Double has the ability to create a token copy of any creature or Planeswalker that is on the battlefield. Helm of the Host has the ability to create a token copy of the equipped creature at the beginning of each combat. When these two cards are used together, players can create an army of token copies of their most powerful creatures or Planeswalkers.
Overall, there are several powerful and intriguing legendary cards and interactions in MTG. As a player, it is important to understand how these cards and interactions work so that you can use them to your advantage.
Design and Rarity of Legendary Cards
Design Philosophy
As a game designer, I believe that creating fun and balanced gameplay is crucial to the success of a game. In Magic: The Gathering, the design of legendary cards is no exception. The legendary supertype was introduced in the Legends expansion in 1994, and since then, it has been an integral part of the game’s design.
The design philosophy behind legendary cards is to create unique and powerful cards that represent important characters, places, and objects in the game’s lore. These cards are meant to be rare and special, and they often have abilities that are not found on other cards.
Rarity and Power Level
Legendary cards are typically printed at the rare or mythic rare rarity levels. This is because they are meant to be powerful and unique, and their rarity reflects their importance in the game’s lore. However, not all legendary cards are created equal, and their power level can vary widely.
Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Magic: The Gathering, has a team of designers and playtesters who work to balance the game and ensure that no one card is too powerful. This is important because if a card is too strong, it can warp the game and make it less fun to play.
While legendary cards are often powerful, they are not always the most powerful cards in the game. In fact, some legendary cards are intentionally designed to be weaker than others so that players have a variety of options when building their decks.
In conclusion, the design and rarity of legendary cards in Magic: The Gathering are an important part of the game’s design philosophy. These cards are meant to be powerful, unique, and rare, but their power level is carefully balanced to ensure that the game remains fun and enjoyable for all players.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the legendary rule apply to copies of legendary creatures or planeswalkers?
The legendary rule in MTG applies to all legendary permanents, including creatures and planeswalkers. You cannot have more than one legendary permanent with the same name on the battlefield under your control at the same time. If you do, you must choose one of them to keep and put the other into your graveyard. This rule applies even if the two legendary permanents have different art, abilities, or mana costs.
Can a legendary creature’s death trigger occur if it’s put into the graveyard due to the legendary rule?
No, a legendary creature’s death trigger does not occur if it’s put into the graveyard due to the legendary rule. This is because the creature is not considered to have died; it was simply put into the graveyard as part of the resolution of the legendary rule.
What changes were made to the legendary rule in recent updates to MTG?
The legendary rule has undergone several changes in recent updates to MTG. The most significant change occurred in 2018, when the “planeswalker uniqueness rule” was introduced. This rule states that planeswalkers are also legendary, and you cannot control more than one planeswalker with the same name on the battlefield under your control at the same time. This means that if you have a planeswalker with the same name as another planeswalker you control, you must choose one to keep and put the other into your graveyard.
Are there any cards that can bypass or alter the legendary rule in Magic: The Gathering?
Yes, there are some cards in MTG that can bypass or alter the legendary rule. For example, the card “Mirror Gallery” allows you to ignore the legendary rule for all legendary permanents you control. The card “Karn, the Great Creator” allows you to turn all legendary artifacts into non-legendary artifacts, effectively bypassing the legendary rule.
How do the legendary rules differ in the Commander format compared to other MTG formats?
In the Commander format, also known as EDH, the legendary rule is slightly different. You can have multiple legendary permanents with the same name in your deck, but you can only have one of them on the battlefield at a time. This means that if you have two copies of the same legendary creature in your deck, you can only have one of them on the battlefield at a time.
What strategies exist to effectively utilize multiple legendary permanents in a single MTG deck?
One strategy to effectively utilize multiple legendary permanents in a single MTG deck is to include cards that can search for specific legendary permanents and put them directly onto the battlefield, such as “Captain Sisay” or “Thalia’s Lancers”. Another strategy is to include cards that can copy legendary permanents, such as “Helm of the Host” or “Sakashima the Impostor”. Additionally, cards that can protect your legendary permanents, such as “Lightning Greaves” or “Swiftfoot Boots”, can help ensure that they stay on the battlefield for as long as possible.
