Vesuvan Doppelganger MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 87
1993-10-04 - Number 88
1993-12-01 - Number 88
1993-12-10 - Number 88
1993-12-10 - Number 88
1994-04-01 - Number 88
1994-04-01 - Number 88
1994-06-21 - Number 88
2007-09-10 - Number 54
2022-11-28 - Number 87
2022-11-28 - Number 384
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Shapeshifter |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Upon summoning, Doppelganger acquires all normal characteristics (except color) of any one creature in play on either side; any enchantments on the original creature are not copied. During controller's upkeep, Doppelganger may take on the characteristics of a different creature in play instead. Doppelganger may continue to copy a creature even after that creature leaves play, but if it switches it won't be able to switch back.
Cards like Vesuvan Doppelganger
Vesuvan Doppelganger stands out as a unique creature card with its ability to clone other creatures on the battlefield. It shares some similarities with Clone, another card that can enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature already in play. However, Vesuvan Doppelganger goes a step further by undergoing transformation at the upkeep if desired, offering flexibility and surprise element that Clone lacks.
Moreover, the Doppelganger finds kinship with cards like Phantasmal Image, which can mimic creatures for a lesser mana investment but comes with the downside of being more fragile due to its illusionary nature. Additionally, the Mirror Image also reflects the cloning ability, yet without the ongoing versatility found in Vesuvan Doppelganger. It’s a single-shot mimicry, unlike the Doppelganger’s adaptable copy ability.
Comparing these clone cards, Vesuvan Doppelganger provides a dynamic and strategic option for players, adapting each turn to create the most advantageous board presence. With its unique features, it holds a strong position among creature-copying cards in MTG for players who value ingenuity and flexibility.
Cards similar to Vesuvan Doppelganger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Vesuvan Doppelganger offers dynamic card advantage by adapting the form and abilities of the best creatures on the battlefield. This adaptability can turn the tide by effectively duplicating your opponent’s most potent threats or by amplifying your own board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Not directly providing mana acceleration, the Doppelganger can, however, assume the identity of creatures that may have ramp abilities, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration without the need for additional cards or mana investment.
Instant Speed: Although the Vesuvan Doppelganger’s ability isn’t activated at instant speed, its transformation occurs during each of your upkeep phases. This allows for tactical adaptations to the ever-changing game state, giving the appearance of instant-speed responsiveness by continuously threatening to become whatever is most beneficial on the board at that time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Vesuvan Doppelganger doesn’t incur a direct discard cost, its continuous cloning ability could potentially waste resources if there aren’t beneficial targets to copy on the battlefield, leading to a less impactful presence if your hand is already struggling.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost demanding both blue and generic mana, Vesuvan Doppelganger could strain mana bases in multicolored decks, potentially causing delays or restricting its inclusion to decks with a heavier blue focus.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three generic and two blue mana, Vesuvan Doppelganger may be considered a luxury in faster, more tempo-oriented strategies. There are numerous lower-cost creatures that could offer more immediate board presence or synergies with the deck’s overarching strategy.
Reasons to Include Vesuvan Doppelganger in Your Collection
Versatility: Vesuvan Doppelganger offers unparalleled flexibility on the battlefield. As a card that can clone the best creature on the board each turn, it can adapt to an ever-changing game state, making it a powerful addition to decks that value reactive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can become an integral part of numerous combos. Its ability to copy creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects or powerful static abilities lends itself to a variety of synergistic interactions, elevating many deck archetypes.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures are key, Vesuvan Doppelganger can often become the strongest force on the battlefield. With the ability to clone the latest power players, this card remains as relevant today as it was upon its initial release, ensuring your deck keeps up with the trends.
How to beat
Vesuvan Doppelganger is a classic from the early sets of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that can clone itself as any other creature on the battlefield at the beginning of each upkeep, it sounds like a formidable challenge. To gain the upper hand against Vesuvan Doppelganger, consider strategies that don’t rely heavily on powerful creatures. This means that when the Vesuvan Doppelganger tries to copy, it only meets a modest target, minimizing its impact.
Removal spells are also your ally here. Playing a card that can exile or destroy the Doppelganger outright before it can become a copy is crucial. Cards that can bounce creatures back to their owner’s hand can reset the Doppelganger’s ability, wasting your opponent’s mana spent. Additionally, as the Doppelganger’s ability triggers at upkeep, instant speed spells that can disrupt during your opponent’s turn or end phase can prevent the creature from ever becoming a threat.
Positioning Vesuvan Doppelganger in the meta, it’s clear that with thoughtful deck construction and timing of spells, this shapeshifting creature becomes much less intimidating. Strategic play and well-timed removal are key to mastering the matchup against Vesuvan Doppelganger.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vesuvan Doppelganger MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Vesuvan Doppelganger and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Vesuvan Doppelganger Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Quinton Hoover.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 87 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 88 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 88 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 88 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 88 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 88 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 88 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 88 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 9 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 54 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 10 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 87 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 384 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vesuvan Doppelganger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vesuvan Doppelganger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Can switch to the same creature it is currently a copy of. |
| 2004-10-04 | Damage is not removed when it changes forms. |
| 2004-10-04 | When changing forms, any text changes that exist on the Doppelganger are applied to the new text, if appropriate. |
| 2004-10-04 | When it takes on the characteristics of the other card, it is no longer of creature type Shapeshifter. |
| 2004-10-04 | When the Doppelganger switches creatures, the creature it used to be is not considered to have left the battlefield. Such effects will consider the creature to have left the battlefield when the Doppelganger leaves the battlefield. |
| 2004-12-01 | If a Doppelganger is flipped, and it copies a flip card in any state, it will copy both “sides” of that card but use the flipped side. If a Doppelganger is unflipped, and it copies a flip card in any state, it will copy both “sides” of that card but use the unflipped side. In the second case, if it ever meets the flip conditions of its new ability, it will flip and used the flipped side of what it is copying. |
| 2007-09-16 | Although Vesuvan Doppelganger’s triggered ability is targeted, its “as enters the battlefield” ability is not. |
| 2007-09-16 | If another creature copies Vesuvan Doppelganger, the new creature will become a copy of whatever Vesuvan Doppelganger is copying except for its color, will copy Vesuvan Doppelganger’s color, and will gain Vesuvan Doppelganger’s triggered ability. |
| 2007-09-16 | Vesuvan Doppelganger copies a face-down creature, it becomes a face-up 2/2 blue creature with no name and no abilities other than the one it gives itself. |
| 2007-09-16 | Vesuvan Doppelganger copies the mana cost of the creature it’s copying but doesn’t copy its color. |
| 2007-09-16 | Vesuvan Doppelganger’s triggered ability may cause it to become a copy of itself. A Vesuvan Doppelganger that becomes a copy of a Vesuvan Doppelganger (either itself or a different one) will gain another instance of its triggered ability. Each instance of that ability will trigger during its controller’s upkeep. They’ll all be put on the stack and resolve one at a time. The last one to resolve determines the Doppelganger’s characteristics for the rest of the turn. |
| 2007-09-16 | When Vesuvan Doppelganger’s triggered ability triggers, you must choose a target for it. You determine whether to have the Doppelganger become a copy of that target when the ability resolves. |