Clone Doesn't Copy the Secret
Judge Level 2Cloning a face-down creature — you get a sad, face-up 2/2.
Cards involved
The cloning experiment
Your opponent controls a face-down creature (secretly a Willbender — you don't know that). You cast Clone and choose the face-down creature as the template.
707.2When copying an object, the copy acquires the copiable values of the original object’s characteristics and, for an object on the stack, choices made when casting or activating it (mode, targets, the value of X, whether it was kicked, how it will affect multiple targets, and so on). The copiable values are the values derived from the text printed on the object (that text being name, mana cost, color indicator, card type, subtype, supertype, rules text, power, toughness, and/or loyalty), as modified by other copy effects, by its face-down status, and by “as . . . enters” and “as . . . is turned face up” abilities that set power and toughness (and may also set additional characteristics). Other effects (including type-changing and text-changing effects), status, counters, and stickers are not copied.
What happens?
What does Clone enter as?
Do you get a copy of everything hiding underneath?
Pick an answer to continue.
The copiable values of a face-down creature are simply: 2/2, no name, no types, no abilities (707.2 together with chapter 708). Clone copies that state — not the face-down card with its secret. It enters face up and stays a 2/2.
707.2When copying an object, the copy acquires the copiable values of the original object’s characteristics and, for an object on the stack, choices made when casting or activating it (mode, targets, the value of X, whether it was kicked, how it will affect multiple targets, and so on). The copiable values are the values derived from the text printed on the object (that text being name, mana cost, color indicator, card type, subtype, supertype, rules text, power, toughness, and/or loyalty), as modified by other copy effects, by its face-down status, and by “as . . . enters” and “as . . . is turned face up” abilities that set power and toughness (and may also set additional characteristics). Other effects (including type-changing and text-changing effects), status, counters, and stickers are not copied.
The sad result
A face-up, anonymous 2/2 with nothing. The real Willbender over there stays face down and keeps its morph option.
Rule of thumb
Copy ≠ card: what gets copied is the visible STATE of the characteristics. What's hidden stays invisible to copy effects — including your own.
707.2When copying an object, the copy acquires the copiable values of the original object’s characteristics and, for an object on the stack, choices made when casting or activating it (mode, targets, the value of X, whether it was kicked, how it will affect multiple targets, and so on). The copiable values are the values derived from the text printed on the object (that text being name, mana cost, color indicator, card type, subtype, supertype, rules text, power, toughness, and/or loyalty), as modified by other copy effects, by its face-down status, and by “as . . . enters” and “as . . . is turned face up” abilities that set power and toughness (and may also set additional characteristics). Other effects (including type-changing and text-changing effects), status, counters, and stickers are not copied.
Stack
Clone
Enters as a copy of a creature
Willbender
Your opponent's face-down creature
The stack is empty.
Battlefield
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