<p>Nope, when an ability on an object refers to itself by name it means "this object."</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>201.4b If an ability of an object refers to that object by name, and an object with a different name gains that ability, each instance of
  the first name in the gained ability that refers to the first object
  by name should be treated as the second name. </p>
  
  <p>Example: Quicksilver
  Elemental says, in part, “{U}: Quicksilver Elemental gains all
  activated abilities of target creature until end of turn.” If it gains
  an ability that says “{G}: Regenerate Cudgel Troll,” activating that
  ability will regenerate Quicksilver Elemental, not the Cudgel Troll it
  gained the ability from. </p>
  
  <p>Example: Glacial Ray is an instant with
  “splice onto Arcane” that says “Glacial Ray deals 2 damage to target
  creature or player.” If it’s spliced onto a Kodama’s Reach, that
  Kodama’s Reach deals 2 damage to the target creature or player.</p>
  
  <p>Example: Dimir Doppelganger says “{1}{U}{B}: Exile target creature
  card from a graveyard. Dimir Doppelganger becomes a copy of that card
  and gains this ability.” Dimir Doppelganger’s ability is activated
  targeting a Runeclaw Bear card. The Doppelganger becomes a copy of
  Runeclaw Bear and gains an ability that should be treated as saying
  “{1}{U}{B}: Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Runeclaw Bear
  becomes a copy of that card and gains this ability.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p>If the name were to be used literally, the text would read "<em>a creature you control not named Vigor</em>" instead of "<em>a creature you control other than Vigor</em>".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-07T17:55:44.560Z
Even if this weren't the case, Lazav always keeps the name "Lazav, Dimir Mastermind"
Origami Robot
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-09T18:37:37.117Z
So, if two Vigors were in play they would infact only refer to themselves as objects and therefore protect each other?
zo0x
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-09T18:42:18.807Z
@zo0x Yes. Rules text on a card mentioning the card name always refers to that card only. The template would have to be "other than a source named Vigor" for it not to be the case. See [Blazing Effigy](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=1560)
ghoppe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-09T20:30:06.600Z
I guess in the context of **Vigor** the template would be *other than a creature named Vigor* — similar to the [Relentless Rats](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205082) rules text.
ghoppe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-09T16:26:48.407Z
2013-05-10T06:53:25.427Z
2013-05-10T06:53:25.427Z
Affe
<p>Say I have <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lazav%2C%20Dimir%20Mastermind">Lazav, Dimir Mastermind</a> and <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=140227" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vigor</a> on the battlefield and Vigor dies. Lazav's ability triggers and I have him become a copy of Vigor. Does he now apply Vigor's ability to himself as well, since the ability says: &quot;other than Vigor&quot;?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-10T16:15:20.690Z
Also incidentally, noticing the way you worded the first sentence, remember Lazav would only trigger if your opponent owns the Vigor.
Affe
<magic-the-gathering>
How do Lazav, Dimir Mastermind and Vigor work together in Magic the Gathering?
zo0x
# How do Lazav, Dimir Mastermind and Vigor work together in Magic the Gathering?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-05-09)

Say I have [Lazav, Dimir Mastermind](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lazav%2C%20Dimir%20Mastermind) and [Vigor](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=140227) on the battlefield and Vigor dies. Lazav's ability triggers and I have him become a copy of Vigor. Does he now apply Vigor's ability to himself as well, since the ability says: "other than Vigor"?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Also incidentally, noticing the way you worded the first sentence, remember Lazav would only trigger if your opponent owns the Vigor.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-05-09. Score: 10

Nope, when an ability on an object refers to itself by name it means "this object."

> 201.4b If an ability of an object refers to that object by name, and an object with a different name gains that ability, each instance of
> the first name in the gained ability that refers to the first object
> by name should be treated as the second name.
>
> Example: Quicksilver
> Elemental says, in part, “{U}: Quicksilver Elemental gains all
> activated abilities of target creature until end of turn.” If it gains
> an ability that says “{G}: Regenerate Cudgel Troll,” activating that
> ability will regenerate Quicksilver Elemental, not the Cudgel Troll it
> gained the ability from.
>
> Example: Glacial Ray is an instant with
> “splice onto Arcane” that says “Glacial Ray deals 2 damage to target
> creature or player.” If it’s spliced onto a Kodama’s Reach, that
> Kodama’s Reach deals 2 damage to the target creature or player.
>
> Example: Dimir Doppelganger says “{1}{U}{B}: Exile target creature
> card from a graveyard. Dimir Doppelganger becomes a copy of that card
> and gains this ability.” Dimir Doppelganger’s ability is activated
> targeting a Runeclaw Bear card. The Doppelganger becomes a copy of
> Runeclaw Bear and gains an ability that should be treated as saying
> “{1}{U}{B}: Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Runeclaw Bear
> becomes a copy of that card and gains this ability.”

If the name were to be used literally, the text would read "*a creature you control not named Vigor*" instead of "*a creature you control other than Vigor*".

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So, if two Vigors were in play they would infact only refer to themselves as objects and therefore protect each other?  
> **username_3**: @username_0 Yes. Rules text on a card mentioning the card name always refers to that card only. The template would have to be "other than a source named Vigor" for it not to be the case. See [Blazing Effigy](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=1560)  
> **username_3**: I guess in the context of **Vigor** the template would be *other than a creature named Vigor* — similar to the [Relentless Rats](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205082) rules text.  
> **username_2**: Even if this weren't the case, Lazav always keeps the name "Lazav, Dimir Mastermind"  

---

