Replicate

Replicate
Keyword Ability
Type	Static (1st ability) Triggered (2nd ability)
Introduced	Guildpact
Last used	Modern Horizons 3
Reminder Text	Replicate [cost] (When you cast this spell, copy it for each time you paid its replicate cost. You may choose new targets for the copies.)
Storm Scale	5
Statistics	15 cards 53.3% 6.7% 20% 6.7% 13.3%
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keyword:"Replicate"

Replicate is a keyword ability attributed to the Izzet in the Guildpact set of the Ravnica block.

Description

Replicate works by putting copies of a given spell onto the stack for each time you pay the Replicate cost. Until Modern Horizons, each card printed with Replicate had a Replicate cost equal to its mana cost.

History

Replicate was reused in Modern Horizons and appeared as a one-off in the Streets of New Capenna Commander decks. Threefold Signal allowed for Replication of three-colored spells, which included permanents.

While Squad is close in function to a creature version of Replicate, Hatchery Sliver from Commander Masters still used Replicate, and was the first card to Replicate a permanent and creature spell. Replicate was also used as a one-off on Mists of Lórien from the Lord of the Rings Holiday Release and Exterminate! from Doctor Who. It also appeared in Modern Horizons 3.

Plumb the Forbidden has a cost ability that effectively is "Replicate — Sacrifice a creature".

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Replicate

A keyword ability that creates copies of a spell. See rule 702.56, “Replicate.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

• 702.56. Replicate
  • 702.56a Replicate is a keyword that represents two abilities. The first is a static ability that functions while the spell with replicate is on the stack. The second is a triggered ability that functions while the spell with replicate is on the stack. “Replicate [cost]” means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may pay [cost] any number of times” and “When you cast this spell, if a replicate cost was paid for it, copy it for each time its replicate cost was paid. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for any of the copies.” Paying a spell’s replicate cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h.
  • 702.56b If a spell has multiple instances of replicate, each is paid separately and triggers based on the payments made for it, not any other instance of replicate.

Rulings

• Copies created with replicate will have replicate abilities themselves. However, since those copies aren't cast, their replicate costs can't be paid and their replicate abilities won't trigger.
• Each copy is separate. If one of them is countered (including the actual spell card), the rest remain on the stack.
• If the replicate trigger is countered (by the Scourge spell Stifle, for example), no replicate copies will be created. The original spell will be unaffected.

Examples

Example 1

Shattering Spree
Sorcery
Replicate (When you cast this spell, copy it for each time you paid its replicate cost. You may choose new targets for the copies.)
Destroy target artifact.

Example 2

Stream of Thought
Sorcery
Target player puts the top four cards of their library into their graveyard. You shuffle up to four cards from your graveyard into your library.
Replicate (When you cast this spell, copy it for each time you paid the replicate cost. You may choose new targets for the copies.)

Cards that grant Replicate

• Djinn Illuminatus
• Hatchery Sliver
• Threefold Signal
• Ian Chesterton