How does the legend rule work?

Asked by kador11 13 years ago

My friend has a Glissa Sunseeker and a Glissa, the Traitor card. He asked me if he plays both of them do they die of the legend rule. I said yes, just wondering if i'm passing on false information.

Also was wondering if Venser, Shaper Savant and Venser, the Soujerner do they die? I think they do.

thaimaishuu says... Accepted answer #1

Legend rule only applies to cards with the same name. In the case of planeswalkers, subtype with the same name.

So in your case, treat each card as if they were two separate legendary creatures (which they are).

February 3, 2011 1:08 a.m.

thaimaishuu says... #2

Follow up. Venser, Shaper Savant and Venser, the Sojourner are treated as two separate legends, so they would not die.

For added reference here is the legend rule and planeswalker legend rule respectively.

704.5k If two or more legendary permanents with the same name are on the battlefield, all are put into their owners graveyards. This is called the legend rule. If only one of those permanents is legendary, this rule doesnt apply.
704.5j If two or more planeswalkers that share a planeswalker type are on the battlefield, all are put into their owners graveyards. This is called the planeswalker uniqueness rule.

Enjoy.

February 3, 2011 1:24 a.m.

MagnorCriol says... #3

Just a very slight nitpick, Venser, the Sojourner isn't treated as a legend at all. Planeswalkers have their own special rule - the "Planeswalker Rule", that 704.5j you list there - and as such they aren't treated as a legend at all.

This might seem trivial, and it mostly is. But it can be significant.

The difference between the Legend Rule and the Planeswalker Rule is so that things like Mirror Gallery don't let you have multiples of one PW on the field, which would get sick fast with some of them.

And the fact they're not legends also means that effects like Tsabo Tavoc 's "Kill target legend" ability won't hit them if they're somehow turned into a creature.

February 3, 2011 1:58 a.m.

thaimaishuu says... #4

Ah, I see. I have just been lumping the legend rule with the planeswalker rule for easy categorizing in my mind. I see the importances of the "planeswalker uniqueness rule" and how it differs from the "legend rule" now.

Good to know, thanks.

February 3, 2011 2:05 a.m.

MagnorCriol says... #5

Eh, they really can be lumped together in 99% of cases. They function the exact same way and perform the same basic service (preventing spamming of powerful creatures, letting flavorfully unique creatures retain that uniqueness).

Here, for instance; there's no difference in the outcome. Your answer is still correct, the two Vensers can coexist just fine.

(Another reason they did the PW rule how they did it is it gives them the ability to make them unique characters, and avoid just the sort of problem with old Glissa and new Glissa. By keying it off the subtype they can make sure only one version of each character is out there. Design and flavor working together! =p )

February 3, 2011 2:24 a.m.

This discussion has been closed