In Magic: The Gathering, the act of duplicating a permanent with the “artifact” card type is a significant strategic element. This duplication creates a separate token that mirrors the chosen permanent’s characteristics, including name, mana cost, color, card type, subtype, abilities, power, and toughness. For example, duplicating a Sol Ring would create a token that also taps for two colorless mana.
The ability to create copies of artifacts has profound implications for gameplay. It allows players to multiply the effects of powerful artifacts, establish board control, and generate significant advantage. From early sets like Antiquities, with cards like Copy Artifact, to more recent iterations, this mechanic has been a recurring feature, demonstrating its enduring strategic relevance. It can swing the momentum of a game by offering additional mana sources, creatures, or other valuable permanents.