When you copy a double-faced card with a clone effect, you get an exact copy of the currently showing side. Anything that isn’t a double-faced card can’t transform.

So if you copy a Chalice of Death with a Phyrexian Metamorph, you end up with an exact copy of the Chalice of Death. The game doesn’t acknowledge or care that the card has another side, so you don’t somehow end up with a Chalice of Life instead. Conversely, if you copy a Chalice of Life, then tap it to gain life and end up at more than 30 life, it just remains a Chalice of Life forever.

If you copy a Ravager of the Fells (the reverse side of Huntsmaster of the Fells) with a Phantasmal Image, you’ll end up with an exact copy that also is an illusion in addition to its other types with the ability “Whenever this creature becomes a target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.” Because it didn’t transform into Ravager of the Fells (it just entered as a copy of it), you won’t get to damage your opponent or one of his creatures. This also means it will never turn into a Huntmaster, even if a player casts 2+ spells in a turn.

Today’s Rules Tip written by
Peter Golightly, Level 1 judge from Austin, TX