What happens when Clone copies your own legendary creature?

The scenario

You control Isamaru, Hound of Konda. Clone resolves and you choose to have it enter as a copy of your Isamaru. There are no exceptions to the legend rule. Can you keep both or respond before choosing?

Short answer

You cannot keep both. Clone copies Isamaru's name and legendary supertype. Before a player gets priority, you choose one of the two to keep and put the other into its owner's graveyard. This is not destruction.

Step by step

1. Clone's copy choice is made as it enters, not by targeting a creature with a spell or ability. The copy has Isamaru's copiable characteristics, including its name and legendary supertype.
2. After Clone finishes resolving, you control two legendary permanents named Isamaru, Hound of Konda.
3. State-based actions apply the legend rule before anyone receives priority. You choose one to keep; the other goes to the graveyard. There is no response window between Clone entering and this choice.

What changes the answer?

Copy an opponent's Isamaru

If you do not already control another legendary permanent with that name, you may keep your copy. The legend rule checks each player's permanents separately.

Indestructible or a death trigger

Indestructible does not save the one put into the graveyard, because the legend rule does not destroy it. It still dies if it moves from the battlefield to the graveyard, and appropriate death triggers can trigger.

Rules and verification

Checked against the Comprehensive Rules effective 2026-09-25. Read the dated official source. Rule-browser links may use an older site snapshot; the dated official document is this scenario's verification source.

• CR 707.2: The copiable values include name, supertypes, and other printed or copy-modified characteristics.
• CR 704.5j: The legend rule checks legendary permanents with the same name controlled by one player.
• CR 117.5: SBAs apply before players receive priority.

Card sources

Oracle text snapshot checked 2026-10-15. These quotations are card reference material, not original MtG-RC explanations.

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