Theoretical Duplication MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage by duplicating creatures, doubling your board presence without depleting your hand.
  2. Instant speed play offers strategic flexibility, allowing for responses to threats or seizing opportunities.
  3. While powerful, has trade-offs like discard requirements and specific mana costs to consider.

Text of card

Whenever a nontoken creature enters the battlefield under an opponent's control this turn, create a token that's a copy of that creature.

"You made it asymmetrical just to annoy me, didn't you?" —Imbraham, Quandrix dean


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Theoretical Duplication card is a standout when it comes to generating card advantage. When played, it enables you to copy the last creature that entered the battlefield under your opponent’s control. This means that you could potentially double the impact of your creature plays, turning one creature into two and effectively doubling your board presence without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Duplicating creatures can also be synonymous with resource acceleration especially if the copied creature has abilities that generate additional mana or provide cost reductions for other spells. By replicating these abilities, Theoretical Duplication can help rocket your resource growth, allowing for more potent plays or enabling high-cost cards to be played earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The fact that Theoretical Duplication operates at instant speed gives you the flexibility to wait until the most opportune moment to act. Whether it’s during combat on your opponent’s turn or after they’ve played a creature with a powerful enter-the-battlefield effect, you get the choice of when to unleash this card for maximum effect, keeping your opponent guessing and allowing you to respond to threats or opportunities on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The act of duplicating with this card comes with a price; you must discard another card from your hand. This can be a major drawback during gameplay when your hand size is diminishing, forcing you to weigh the cost of potential advantage against the immediate depletion of your resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Crafting a deck around the theoretical duplication mechanic means aligning with its precise mana requirements. This often involves a commitment to a specific color combination or archetype, which can pigeonhole your deck-building strategies and reduce the flexibility to adapt to the diversified metagame.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To trigger the duplication effect, the mana investment is significant. In a game where tempo is vital, spending a large amount of mana could set you back, especially when there are alternative cards offering similar outcomes or better board presence for a lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Theoretical Duplication is a unique addition to decks that thrive on copying powerful abilities or spells. Its flexibility allows for dynamic gameplay and the ability to adapt to various situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with permanents that have potent enter-the-battlefield effects or with other spells that multiply the impact of duplicating an ability, leading to potential game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where repetitive effects or cloning strategies are dominant, Theoretical Duplication can be a key card. Adapting to the ever-changing meta, it can provide a significant edge in both casual and competitive formats.


How to Beat

The Theoretical Duplication card brings an intriguing dynamic to the table, offering unique strategic duplication opportunities. To navigate this challenge, one must adapt their gameplay to mitigate its impact. First and foremost, instant-speed removal or counterspells are invaluable, as they can disrupt the duplication process before it begins. Cards like Negate or Disenchant, which target enchantments specifically, are ideal in this situation to prevent Theoretical Duplication from overwhelming the board.

Another effective strategy is to limit the number of valuable targets for duplication on your side. Playing less creature-centric decks or ones with creatures that have negative enter-the-battlefield effects can dissuade your opponent from using Theoretical Duplication beneficially. If Theoretical Duplication does resolve, focusing on asymmetrical board wipes like Shatter the Sky can reset the playing field, tipping the scales back in your favor.

In essence, understanding the timing to disrupt or redirect the effects of Theoretical Duplication is key. Through precise disruption, thoughtful deckbuilding, and proactive board management, one can overcome the challenges posed by this card and maintain a competitive edge in matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the tactical depths of utilizing Theoretical Duplication in your MTG deck for innovative gameplay. This card’s ability to clone creatures can dramatically alter the battlefield, presenting creative strategies and powerful combos. While its mana cost and discard requirement are notable considerations, the advantages it can confer in the right deck are undeniable. Adapt your collection with cards that mitigate its drawbacks and amplify its strengths, such as instant-speed removal to counteract opponents’ strategies. Mastering the nuances of Theoretical Duplication could very well be your next strategic breakthrough in MTG. Connect with fellow enthusiasts and gain deeper insights into making this card a winning component of your arsenal.


Cards like Theoretical Duplication

The Theoretical Duplication card evokes intriguing deck-building strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its unique ability to mimic a permanent as it enters the battlefield offers a creative angle compared to other copy effects in the game. It lines up somewhat with cards like Clone, which also allows a player to copy any creature on the battlefield. Yet, Clone lacks the flexibility to copy noncreature permanents and does not trigger when the copied permanent enters the battlefield.

Mirrormade is another card that enters the conversation. It extends the cloning effect to artifacts and enchantments, widening the range of replication possibilities. However, unlike Theoretical Duplication, Mirrormade requires the target permanent to be already in play, potentially limiting its surprise factor. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning Followed Footsteps, which puts token copies onto the battlefield but does so at a slower, incremental pace through its upkeep trigger. This stands in contrast to Theoretical Duplication’s instant one-time effect.

Examining the nuances of these cards, it’s clear that Theoretical Duplication has a novel place in the fabric of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to instantly adapt and capitalize on new additions to the battlefield can create dynamic and game-altering scenarios.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Mirrormade - MTG Card versions
Followed Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Clone - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Mirrormade - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Followed Footsteps - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Theoretical Duplication by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Vex - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Psionic Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Capsize - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Intuition - Tempest (TMP)
Forbid - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Frantic Search - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Exclude - Invasion (INV)
Crystal Spray - Invasion (INV)
Hibernation - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Circular Logic - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Keep Watch - Judgment (JUD)
Archmage's Charm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Commander's Insight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Ixidor's Will - Onslaught (ONS)
Catalog - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Vex - Darksteel (DST)
Thirst for Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2004 (WC04)
Murmurs from Beyond - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Venser's Diffusion - Future Sight (FUT)
Dream Fracture - Conspiracy (CNS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Theoretical Duplication MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2021, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Theoretical Duplication and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Theoretical Duplication Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Anna Christenson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 900502015normalblackAnna Christenson
22021-04-23Commander 2021C21 342015normalblackAnna Christenson
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3612015normalblackAnna Christenson
42023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 1122015normalblackAnna Christenson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Theoretical Duplication has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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