In Magic: The Gathering, legendary does not automatically mean one copy per deck. The supertype matters mainly on the battlefield: if one player controls two or more legendary permanents with exactly the same name, that player chooses one and puts the rest into their owners' graveyards.
This state-based action is the legend rule. It does not target or use the stack. It also differs from deck construction rules: Constructed formats may allow several copies, while Commander has separate restrictions.
Read the type line first
A relevant card has legendary on its type line, such as Legendary Creature or Legendary Artifact. Artwork, fame or rarity is not enough. Oracle provides the current official wording. Only permanents on the battlefield are compared; cards in hand, library, graveyard, exile or command are not. Review these in our guide to Magic zones.
Three conditions
| Condition | Question | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Same controller | Does one player control them? | Different players may each keep one |
| Same name | Is the Oracle English name identical? | Different names coexist |
| Legendary permanents | Are they legendary and on the battlefield? | Other zones do not count |
If all conditions are true, choose one to keep. The rest go to their owners' graveyards. This is neither sacrificing nor destroying.
When does it happen?
State-based actions are checked whenever a player would receive priority. After a spell or ability resolves, the game checks before anyone can act again. The legend rule does not go on the stack, so no player responds between the choice and the move to the graveyard.
Abilities triggered by the new permanent entering may still have triggered. They are put on the stack after state-based actions have been handled.
Choose what stays
Do not automatically keep the newest permanent. Compare tapped status, counters, damage, Auras, Equipment and temporary effects. An older copy may hold valuable counters; a newer one may already have delivered an enters ability even if it does not remain.
- Confirm controller and exact name.
- Group only relevant legendary permanents.
- Compare counters, damage, attachments and effects.
- Choose one to keep.
- Move the rest to their owners' graveyards, then process triggers.
Can opponents keep the same legend?
Yes. The rule applies to each player separately. You and an opponent may each control a legendary permanent with the same name.
Do not confuse battlefield and deck rules
Legendary alone does not impose a one-copy Constructed limit. General deck rules may allow up to four cards with the same English name, subject to format rules. Commander singleton and colour identity are separate deckbuilding rules. A mana value or X cost does not change a card's name; see our guide to spells with X.
Common mistakes
- Different art still counts if the name matches.
- Different languages use the Oracle English name.
- Each player checks their own permanents.
- A legendary token is still a permanent.
- Indestructible does not stop the legend rule because it does not destroy.
Checklist
- Are all objects battlefield permanents?
- Are they legendary?
- Do they have exactly the same name?
- Does one player control them?
- Were counters, damage and attachments compared?
- Do the others go to their owners' graveyards?
Browse the Magic collection and practise reading the type line and Oracle name before planning your next sequence.