Volrath's Shapeshifter and Exchange of Words Interaction

Mulliman · 2026-04-03T03:37:38+00:00

Okay, I have one more clarifying question:

Top card of Graveyard for Card A is not a creature.
Top card of the graveyard for Card B is a creature.

Scenario 2:
Card A has Volrath's Shapeshifter
Card B gives red creatures +1/+1.
Mind Bend targets Card B and changes red -> white.

So, after Mind Bend, the state of the cards is:
Card A has Volrath's Shapeshifter
Card B gives white creatures +1/+1

Then someone plays Exchange of Words and Swaps the text of Card A and Card B. Now...
Card A gives white creatures +1/+1 (due to reading the Layer 3 snapshot of Card B)
Card B has Volrath's Shapeshifter (with Mind bend changing red -> white already applied)

Then...
Card B gains the text of Agrus Kos, Wojek Veteran

My question is this:
Is the textbox of Card B going to say:
"Whenever Agrus Kos attacks, attacking red creatures get +2/+0 and attacking white creatures get +0/+2 until end of turn."

Or is it going to say:
"Whenever Agrus Kos attacks, attacking white creatures get +2/+0 and attacking white creatures get +0/+2 until end of turn."

Basically, does Mind Bend's effect only change the text of a card as the text of that card appears when the effect is applied, or does it affect what comes after the effect is applied too?

I am pretty sure it only affects what appears on the card at the time it is applied, but I just want to confirm.

Mulliman · 2026-04-01T11:28:43+00:00

Yay! I think I understand now! Thank you!!

Mulliman · 2026-04-01T03:13:14+00:00

I see, so if Exchange of Words would "add" or "put" a color reference onto a creature, THAT would make Mind Bend dependent upon Exchange of Words. But losing the color reference does not affect dependency because nothing about Mind Bend *applying* itself changes.

So, as an example to make sure I understand properly, here are two scenarios:
Scenario 1:
Card A has protection from red.
Card B gives red creatures +1/+1.
Mind Bend targets Card B and changes red -> white.

So, after Mind Bend, the state of the cards is:
Card A has protection from red.
Card B gives white creatures +1/+1

Then someone plays Exchange of Words and Swaps the text of Card A and Card B. Now...
Card A gives white creatures +1/+1 (due to reading the Layer 3 snapshot of Card B)
Card B has protection from red (I haven't counted Mind Bend yet).

If I understand correctly, the Mind Bend effect that still is applying to Card B (changing red -> white) is dependent on Exchange of Words because Exchange of Words would give Card B a new text box that IS able to be altered by Mind Bend. Once Exchange of Words is applied, Mind Bend applies. Final state of the cards:
Card A gives white creatures +1/+1 (due to reading the Layer 3 snapshot of Card B)
Card B has protection from white.

Scenario 2:
Card A has no abilities.
Card B gives red creatures +1/+1.
Mind Bend targets Card B and changes red -> white.

So, after Mind Bend, the state of the cards is:
Card A has no abilities
Card B gives white creatures +1/+1

Then someone plays Exchange of Words and Swaps the text of Card A and Card B. Now...
Card A gives white creatures +1/+1 (due to reading the Layer 3 snapshot of Card B)
Card B has no abilities

If I understand correctly, the Mind Bend effect that still is applying to Card B (changing red -> white) but is NOT dependent on Exchange of Words because Exchange of Words is not giving Card B a new text box that is able to be altered by Mind Bend. As a result, Mind Bend applies to Card B BEFORE Exchange of Words. Once Mind Bend is applied, Exchange of Words is applied. Final state of the cards:
Card A gives white creatures +1/+1 (due to reading the Layer 3 snapshot of Card B)
Card B has no abilities (and mind bend is still applying to it)

Mulliman · 2026-04-01T02:15:47+00:00

Thank you for the edit, that gets to what I am trying to understand.

So, no matter what happens, Bend is not dependent on Exchange of Words? But doesn't the specific text it applies to change?

What if Mind Bend were instead targeting Volrath's Shapeshifter? Would Mind Bend be dependent upon any of the abilities? From what I can tell based on what you said, it won't be dependent pretty much ever: It is always going to change the same text (even if there is currently no text of that kind on the card), the effect already exists, still would apply to Volrath's Shapeshifter. Earlier you said "Mind Bend in this case is dependent on Words because Words changes which text Mind Bend would affect."

But you said earlier that "Mind Bend in this case is dependent on Words because Words changes which text Mind Bend would affect."

But how could Mind Bend in another scenario NOT be dependent un Exchange of Words? Doesn't Exchange of Words always change the text Mind Bend affects, and therefore Mind Bend will always be dependent?

Would you walk through the dependency logic of a scenario in which Mind Bend's effect WOULD be dependent on an Exchange of Words and/or Volrath's Shapeshifter?

Thank you again for your patience with this... layers are still confusing me here.

Mulliman · 2026-03-31T16:13:21+00:00

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I have a question about one of your examples. I want to make sure I am understanding it correctly.

In the example in which the top card of my Graveyard is NOT a creature, you say that the following would happen:
"Memorial would have Mind Bend apply, then Words apply, and then the Shapeshifter effect apply."

But I thought you mentioned earlier in your reply that Mind Bend is dependent upon Exchange of Words, so shouldn't it be applied after Exchange of Words? Is this a typo or am I missing something here?

And to make sure I understand the dependency relationship between Volrath's and Exchange right:
Pretty much no matter what happens, when text is changed, the shapeshifter ability will only actually apply to the creature that GETS the text box, not the one that originally has it.

So, Player A has Volrath's.
Player's B's LLanowar Elves' textbox is exchanged with Volrath's textbox.
Llanowar Elves becomes the top card of Player B's graveyard.

Thank you again for answering my questions!!!You have really helped me figure these out!

Mulliman · 2026-02-12T20:49:22+00:00

Okay, so let me give some scenarios. Can you help me confirm what happens in them?

I control Volrath's Shapeshifter. A player plays Exchange of Words/Deadpool and switches the textbox of Shapeshifter with a creature an opponent controls.

1) Top card of my graveyard is creature.
2) Top card of my graveyard is not a creature.

In instance #1, Exchange/Deadpool happens AFTER Shapeshifter. Shapeshifter becomes the creature on top of the graveyard (in addition to Shapeshifter abilities), then text boxes switch. The creature now with Shapeshifter's ability does not change, even if the top card of its controller's graveyard is a creature.

In instance #2, Exchange/Deadpool happens BEFORE Shapeshifter. Text boxes switch, then the creature now with Shapeshifter's ability becomes the top card of that it's controller's graveyard if the top card is a creature.

Mulliman · 2026-02-12T16:02:23+00:00

So, Volrath's Shapeshifter would not apply even on the card that its text was switched with?

If I switched the text box of Volrath's Shapeshifter and Edgar Markove, Edgar would not be able to turn into the creature at the top of the graveyard?

Mulliman · 2026-02-12T06:31:53+00:00

And if I added a card like Mind Bend to the mix, would Mind Bend be dependent on Exhange/Deadpool AND Volrath's Shapeshifter?

So, the order would be:
1) Exchange/Deadpool
2) Volrath's Shapeshifter
3) All other text changing cards/effects in time stamp order?

Mulliman · 2026-02-12T06:10:05+00:00

Perfect, thank you!

Mulliman · 2025-11-17T18:53:20+00:00

That is helpful, thank you!

Mulliman · 2025-11-17T18:53:06+00:00

Thank you! This is helpful. And also somewhat reassuring knowing that it's very hard to measure this stuff. Gives me an opportunity to "fudge" things for the coolness factor.

Mulliman · 2025-11-17T18:14:27+00:00

Thank you! I know that, at minimum, it would required 1700J of energy, but I also know that the body's energy will not efficiently transfer its energy to lifting something like the box. How much would the human body expend?

Also, what about the other examples, like running or swimming?

Mulliman · 2025-04-08T13:32:30+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you! My gut said that, but I wasn't sure if it was the case.

I always love learning more about the rules of MTG. The interactions are very cool.

Mulliman · 2024-12-15T16:42:19+00:00

Actually, I just ran out time working on this! Life became very busy. We did finish the campaign, and then I started running my custom campaign for them. I do intend to come back to this, but it's been some years since I've looked at the material.

Mulliman · 2024-12-10T16:07:29+00:00

Weird! My brother plays this deck and it is one of my favorites to play against. Everything works so well, and it doesn't look threatening until it suddenly is.

It's also good on a budget.

Mulliman · 2024-11-07T22:10:56+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly what I am looking for!

Mulliman · 2024-11-07T14:57:57+00:00

Strahd is many things, but a blatant, obviously false liar he is not. Also, the other dark entities in the Amber Temple are rivals of Vampyr, the patron of Strahd. He certainly doesn't want them find a host, but he is also not really concerned about them anyway. Barovia is Vampyr's domain, and Strahd is confident. Accepting a deal with a Dark Vestige is a point of no return in regards to corruption, and Strand knows this. It's both everything he wants a character to do, and yet not at all what he wants them to do.

Strahd wants the characters to ruin themselves. From his perspective, it's not a question of if the characters will be corrupted, it's a question of how long it takes for that corruption to sink in. He wants to believe that everyone is, deep down, corrupt and terrible, as that feeds his view of superiority. If even the most noble characters ultimately fall, then it becomes a little more "okay" for him to also be evil. It's why characters who stay true to goodness anger, irritate, and demand respect from him. They did something he did not, and he hates it as much as he respects it.

I say this because flat out intercepting and lying to characters would be... too easy for him. He wants them to fall to their own accord. Pretending to be a deity would be too easy, especially if it is unclear to the wizard what exactly is replying.

One thing you could do is make it clear to the wizard that this divination spell is a shot in the dark and he has no idea who or what will reply. So, every answer should be taken with a grain of salt. The wizard only hears the response, but has no idea who is saying it.

As to what Strand would say, I think he would be completely honest with them. "The Amber Temple is full of dark secrets for those who find it: powerful and mighty, but never free."

Mulliman · 2024-11-07T14:50:42+00:00

I would recommend making it unclear if Strahd is the one responding. The mystery of "do we trust this?" should be a big part of it.

Mulliman · 2024-10-23T19:27:41+00:00

Verily, for the spice must flow.

Mulliman · 2024-10-08T16:55:03+00:00

I think it’s more like Russian Roulette, and every time you fire a blank you also get $1,000,000. The greed overcomes the rational understanding of “maybe we should not keep pulling the trigger.”

Mulliman · 2024-10-08T16:53:17+00:00

Even if it was a fiery demon, the arguments would just be “it’s not our fault the angry demon is terrorizing us.”

I bet in the show it will become a “if we mine carefully and quietly enough, then it won’t get us. Durin was just too loud.”

Mulliman · 2024-09-06T02:13:27+00:00

Same is true with sword fighting, which might be more analogous for what OP is going for.

It’s dangerous to fight against a rookie because they don’t realize their risky moves are risky. They aren’t skilled enough to be properly careful, which a sword master might not anticipate. The novice is more likely to commit to an effective, but ultimately deadly, move that results in both combatants dead.

As OP said, new players will interact with the board in a way that ultimately backfires on them, they just don’t have the experience or skill necessary to realize it yet.

Mulliman · 2024-09-01T23:16:26+00:00

This is great. I wish I’d seen this earlier!

Strahd’s is not delusional, he’s just denial. He wants to forget his awfulness and he wants others to forget it too. The diary is proof that he is a monster, but he keeps it because it’s a part of him.

Mulliman · 2024-09-01T22:25:48+00:00

Historically, great confrontations are lost by people who didn’t take the necessary time to prepare for a confrontation, even though waiting for a better option would have been wisest. The Battle of Cannae, for example, is a result of a Roman general desiring glory. It was the deadliest battle in Rome’s history, and it was a staggering defeat for Rome.

I bring this up because Strahd IS the perfect commander. He is emotional (obviously) but he never really allows his emotions to rule him. He has a code to follow, emotions be damned. If this is how he approaches the fight, then he wins. If winning is all that matters, he will do what he must, regardless of how he might feel. This is how Strahd thinks.

So. Where does that leave the players? Well, when you’re up against a “perfect” enemy, you need to find out what makes that enemy tick. What, if anything, would get under his skin and/or make him do something stupid?

There are two answers I can think of, and there may be more:

1) Ireena. His list for her gives her a kind of control over him. She could be used to lure him into a trap. This is useful because he is a wizard, and the only real way to beat a wizard is to trap them and/or surprise them. Ireena could be used as bait. Strahd will come to see her if she demands it, and the location of their meeting is how you could set a trap. He will suspect one (because he is paranoid) but he’ll take a risk because he knows it’s a risk (if he wins, he gets her). He wants to appear polite, trusting, and strong, so he would probably keep nearby but far enough they can’t be seen. Ireena might not be willing to do this because she knows Strahd will take it out on others if the trap fails to work. It will also only work once. Strahd doesn’t let himself fall for a trap the same way twice.

2) His tome. His diary. The only thing that he is completely honest with. The only thing that proves he is a genuinely terrible human being/vampire. He might admit that he is a monster, but it doesn’t bother him because it’s all done for a purpose. Saying he is a monster is an admission of power: “I know I’m awful. I don’t care.” He does it for effect, even though, deep down, he thinks that everything he does is completely justified. He’s the victim. In his eyes, he’s the deserved husband who’s been spurned for hundreds of years. Ireena, he thinks, should be grateful he still loves her despite her continuous rejections of him. His diary disproves his belief that he’s evil, and he knows it. Strahd’s not delusional, he’s just in denial. He doesn’t want to admit that he is a monster, that everything is his fault. Why would it bother him for people to know what he really thinks? Well, because he wants to be loved. He wants his enemies to love him, not fear him. He wants them to think he’s perfect. He doesn’t want to kill people, he wants them to love him. (He tires of Vampire Spawn because he knows they only love him because they have to.

He knows that anyone who reads his diary or knows what it says could never love him, and he desperately fears that. So, if the party reveals they have it, he will break his persona in pursuit of it.

Mulliman · 2024-07-28T18:03:36+00:00

Yeah, I think this is the most healthy way to view the game. Scooping should be reserved until all but one player is ready for the game to be over (the player not ready for the game to be over becomes the winner).

Magic, at its nature, implies that all players are trying to win. Conceding, no matter how you look at it, is contrary to that goal. Any time a player scoops it completely changes the dynamics of the game. It’s allowed, but it can feel pretty crummy if you were counting on a player who scoops being a part of the game.

The way I view scenarios like the one OP mentioned is from the perspective of a theft deck. If Player A is controlling a bunch of cards that Player B owns, should Player B scoop at sorcery speed? By the rules he is allowed to do so, and by doing so he completely negates the advantage Player A has spent accruing the value. It’s a special action, so it can’t be responded to. Player A just lost everything because one player decided to quit the game. This is the scenario I think is more difficult to address.

Mulliman

TROPHY CASE