Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules

Table of Contents

111. Tokens

  • 111.1. Some effects put tokens onto the battlefield. A token is a marker used to represent any permanent that isnt represented by a card.
  • 111.2. The player who creates a token is its owner. The token enters the battlefield under that players control.
  • 111.3. The spell or ability that creates a token may define the values of any number of characteristics for the token. This becomes the tokens text. The characteristic values defined this way are functionally equivalent to the characteristic values that are printed on a card; for example, they define the tokens copiable values. A token doesnt have any characteristics not defined by the spell or ability that created it.
  • 111.4. A spell or ability that creates a token sets both its name and its subtype(s). If the spell or ability doesnt specify the name of the token, its name is the same as its subtype(s). A Goblin Scout creature token, for example, is named Goblin Scout and has the creature subtypes Goblin and Scout. Once a token is on the battlefield, changing its name doesnt change its subtype, and vice versa.
  • 111.5. If a spell or ability would create a token, but a rule or effect states that a permanent with one or more of that tokens characteristics cant enter the battlefield, the token is not created.
  • 111.6. A token is subject to anything that affects permanents in general or that affects the tokens card type or subtype. A token isnt a card (even if represented by a card that has a Magic back or that came from a Magic booster pack).
  • 111.7. A token thats in a zone other than the battlefield ceases to exist. This is a state-based action; see rule 704. (Note that if a token changes zones, applicable triggered abilities will trigger before the token ceases to exist.)
  • 111.8. A token that has left the battlefield cant move to another zone or come back onto the battlefield. If such a token would change zones, it remains in its current zone instead. It ceases to exist the next time state-based actions are checked; see rule 704.
  • 111.9. Some effects instruct a player to create a legendary token. These may be written create [name], a . . . and list characteristics for the token. This is the same as an instruction to create a token with the listed characteristics that has the given name.
  • 111.10. Some effects instruct a player to create a predefined token. These effects use the definition below to determine the characteristics the token is created with. The effect that creates a predefined token may also modify or add to the predefined characteristics.
  • 111.10a A Treasure token is a colorless Treasure artifact token with {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.
  • 111.10b A Food token is a colorless Food artifact token with {2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.
  • 111.10c A Gold token is a colorless Gold artifact token with Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.
  • 111.10d A Walker token is a 2/2 black Zombie creature token named Walker.
  • 111.10e A Shard token is a colorless enchantment token with {2}, Sacrifice this enchantment: Scry 1, then draw a card.
  • 111.11. A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token as it resolves. The token has the characteristics of the spell that became that token. The token is not created for the purposes of any replacement effects or triggered abilities that refer to creating a token.