Cytoshape
Instant
Choose a nonlegendary creature on the battlefield. Target creature becomes a copy of that creature until end of turn.
- CMC
- 3
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- GU
- Rarity
- rare
- Set
- Dissension
- Price
- $0.44
- EDHREC rank
- #25392
Cytoshape turns any nonland permanent into a copy of another nonland permanent on the battlefield — at instant speed, for three mana — which means it doubles as a combat trick, a combo enabler, and a way to clone whatever your opponent just dropped. The flexibility is real, but the effect is narrow enough that it earns a slot only in decks that can exploit the copy mechanically, not just situationally.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Commander is where Cytoshape has the most room to breathe, because the permanent-heavy, multiplayer environment guarantees worthwhile targets and combo shells that can abuse instant-speed copying. In Legacy and Vintage it's legal but essentially unplayed — the formats move too fast and the effect too narrow for a three-mana non-cantripping instant to compete. Cytoshape is not legal in Pioneer, Standard, or Pauper, so those aren't conversations worth having.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.44 bulk tier
At $0.44, Cytoshape sits firmly in bulk territory, which makes it a low-risk pickup for any deck that wants it. The price reflects its niche demand — it won't spike without a breakout combo discovery, but it also won't cost you anything to own a copy just in case.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.