Hi there!

CR 706.10d says: “Some effects copy a spell or ability for each player or object it ‘could target.’ The copies are put onto the stack with those targets in the order of their controller's choice. (…) If that player or object isn't a legal target for each instance of the word ‘target,’ a copy isn't created for that player or object.”

Am I right that the current appearance of the spell is taken into account when determining whether an object is a legal target or not?

Example 1: I cast Blossoming Defense on my Zada, Hedron Grinder. In response, my opponent casts AEthersnatch and gains control of my instant. When Zada's triggered ability resolves, no copies of Blossoming Defense are created, because the spell (as it is on the stack) can't target my other creatures. It doesn't matter that I would control those copies and my creatures would be legal targets for them.

Example 2: My opponent casts Doom Blade on my Ink-Treader Nephilim in order to destroy all nonblack creatures. Using Mind Bend, I change the text of Doom Blade so that it may only target a nonwhite creature. When the Nephilim's triggered ability resolves, copies of Doom Blade are created only for creatures that are not white. The copies are not affected by the text-changing effect of Mind Bend, so all Doom Blade copies targeting black creature do not resolve. In summary, all white and all black creatures are saved.

Thank you!

Kind regards,

Mario Hassler