Layers: The interaction of continuous effects - Joel Nerenberg

Layers The interaction of continuous effects

By Joel Nerenberg, L2 Minneapolis

Copy affects only copy: • Printed characteristics • Other copy effects

Layer 2 - Copy

Which of these examples is NOT a Control-layer effect?

Layer 2 - Control

Layer 3 - Text Changing

Besides spells with Overload, very few cards use this layer. Most are 1-mana blue instants that replace one color word or land type with another.

Layer 4 - Type

• Includes o Types : Creature, Instant, Land o Super-types : Basic, Legendary, Snow o Sub-types : Goblin, Gideon, Gate

• Becoming a type removes all other types unless

the effect says "in addition." • Becoming an artifact creature is always considered

"in addition." • Becoming a basic land type also removes all other

rules text from the land (unless "in addition").

Layer 4 - notes about Type

Becoming a color replaces all other colors, unless the effect says "in addition."

Layer 5 - Color

Layer 6 - Abilities

Layer 7a - Power & Toughness

Sublayer B - Power and Toughness Setting

Layer 7b - Power & Toughness

Other P&T effects are applied after Setting, so you can think of these as changing only the "base."

Sublayer C - Modifying + or -

Layer 7c - Power & Toughness

Sublayer D - Counters + or -

Layer 7d - Power & Toughness

Sublayer E - Switching

Layer 7e - Power & Toughness

• Many cards affect how rules are applied, but do not change an object's characteristics.

Not-a-layer 8 - Changing Game Rules

• A single characteristic is affected • The large majority of effects are applied

in order by Timestamp • The most recent affect "wins“

• If multiple permanents enter the

battlefield at once, their controller chooses their Timestamp order.

Within Each Layer

• If one ability would change the text, existence, or scope of another ability, the second ability is dependant on the first.

• Apply the independent ability first, and then apply the dependant one next, if still applicable.

Dependencies within a Layer

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: ) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Which creatures receive the Bad Moon bonus?

Clone copying Bears is enchanted by Splinter Twin. When the Tap ability is activated, what characteristics does the copy have? • Is it a Bear, or can it copy something else? • Does it have the Splinter Twin tap ability?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: ) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

What are the Bear's Power and Toughness after both effects?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: ) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

What is the Bear's P&T after both effects? What if they're played in the other order?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: ) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

What are the P&T of the enchanted creature after Snakeform resolves? What abilities does it have?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

What if the creature was the creature was green before Snakeform?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Does Painter's Servant make my library blue when Humility is in play?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Does Urborg's affect apply?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Does Urborg's affect apply after being targeted by both spells?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Do my creatures have trample if: • Gruul War Plow is played first? • Gruul War Plow is played second? • Gruul War Plow is played first, then activated after

Humility? How big is War Plow? • Gruul War Plow is played second, then activated

after Humility? How big is War Plow?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

How is Avian Changeling affected by Life and Limb? What about the activated Mutavault?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Figure of Destiny is an 8/8 flying Avatar. What are his characteristics after Lignify?

Figure of Destiny is an 8/8 flying Avatar. What happens to Figure when Mirrorweave makes all creatures a copy of Bear?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

How big is the enchanted Tarmogoyf after Snakeform? Is it Indestructible?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

Can Ancient Grudge be played with Flashback if Jailer is in play? Does it matter when the Jailer arrived? What if I target it with Snapcaster?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

What happens to Saprolings when Life and Limb and Blood Moon are in play? What happens to Stomping Ground?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

What if Conspiracy (naming Goblin), Opalescence and Dralnu's Crusade are the only permanents I control? What if Humility comes into play next?

1) Copy 2) Control 3) Text 4) Type 5) Color 6) Abilities 7) P/T: a) CDAs b) Setting c) +/- d) Counters e) Switching

There are two Quicksilver Gargantuans; one copies Tarmogoyf and the other copies nothing. Which creatures are affected by Petroglypths?