Demonstrate

Demonstrate
Keyword Ability
Type	Triggered
Introduced	Commander 2021
Last used	Commander 2021
Reminder Text	Demonstrate (When you cast this spell, you may copy it. If you do, choose an opponent to also copy it. Players may choose new targets for their copies.)
Statistics	5 cards 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
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keyword:"Demonstrate"

Demonstrate is a keyword ability found on five cards in Commander 2021.

Description

Cards with demonstrate let you copy the spell when you cast it, but also let an opponent copy that spell. It is therefore especially suited for politics in Commander games.

Rules

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

Demonstrate

A triggered ability found on some spells that let its controller copy it and choose an opponent to also copy it. See rule 702.144, “Demonstrate.”

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

• 702.144. Demonstrate
  • 702.144a Demonstrate is a triggered ability. “Demonstrate” means “When you cast this spell, you may copy it and you may choose new targets for the copy. If you copy the spell, choose an opponent. That player copies the spell and may choose new targets for that copy.”

Rulings

• You choose whether to make a copy as the demonstrate ability resolves. This happens before the original spell resolves. Your copy goes on the stack above the original spell.
• If you copy a spell with demonstrate, you then immediately choose an opponent. If they copy the spell, it goes on top of the stack.
• If the spell requires targets, you choose the target of the original spell as you cast it. If you create a copy of the spell, you may choose new targets for the copy as you create that copy. Similarly, the opponent you chose to create a copy may choose new targets for that copy as it's created. In other words, your opponent will know the targets of your original spell and your copy when choosing the new targets, if any, for their copy.
• This means that if you cast a spell with demonstrate and both you and an opponent copy it, the opponent's copy will resolve first, then your copy will resolve, and finally the original spell will resolve.
• If you cast the spell and choose not to copy it, no opponent will get to copy it either.

Examples

Example

Excavation Technique
Sorcery
Demonstrate (When you cast this spell, you may copy it. If you do, choose an opponent to also copy it. Players may choose new targets for their copies.)
Destroy target nonland permanent. Its controller create two Treasure tokens.