1. Layers
The interaction of continuous effects
By Joel Nerenberg, L2 Minneapolis

2. Copy affects only copy:
• Printed characteristics
• Other copy effects
Layer 2 - Copy

3. Which of these examples is NOT a
Control-layer effect?
Layer 2 - Control

4. 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.

5. Layer 4 - Type

6. • 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

7. Becoming a color replaces all other colors,
unless the effect says "in addition."
Layer 5 - Color

8. Layer 6 - Abilities

9. Layer 7a - Power & Toughness

10. 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."

11. Sublayer C - Modifying + or -
Layer 7c - Power & Toughness

12. Sublayer D - Counters + or -
Layer 7d - Power & Toughness

13. Sublayer E - Switching
Layer 7e - Power & Toughness

14. • Many cards affect how rules are applied, but do not
change an object's characteristics.
Not-a-layer 8 - Changing Game
Rules

15. • 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

16. • 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

17. 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?

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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?

22. 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?

23. 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?

24. 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?

25. 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?

26. 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?

27. 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?

28. 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?

29. 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

30. 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?

31. 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?

32. 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?

33. 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?

34. 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?