Rulings

• 2018-03-16
  When Vesuvan Shapeshifter is turned face down, its copy effect wears off. While it’s face down, it’s a 2/2 face-down Vesuvan Shapeshifter that can be turned face up for a morph cost of .
• 2018-03-16
  If Vesuvan Shapeshifter somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Vesuvan Shapeshifter can’t become a copy of that creature. You may only choose a creature that’s already on the battlefield.
• 2018-03-16
  Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Vesuvan Shapeshifter enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters the battlefield” or “[this creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work as it enters the battlefield. Similarly, any “[when/as] [this creature] is turned face up” abilities of the chosen creature will work if Vesuvan Shapeshifter is turned face up.
• 2018-03-16
  If the chosen creature is a token, Vesuvan Shapeshifter copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created the token. Vesuvan Shapeshifter is not a token in this case.
• 2018-03-16
  If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is another Vesuvan Shapeshifter), then Vesuvan Shapeshifter copies whatever the chosen creature copied.
• 2018-03-16
  If the chosen creature has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
• 2018-03-16
  Vesuvan Shapeshifter copies exactly what was printed on the original creature (unless that creature is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
• 2018-03-16
  Vesuvan Shapeshifter’s ability to become a copy is a replacement effect. Because turning a creature face up and applying replacement effects both don’t use the stack, players won’t be able to take actions between the time you announce that you’re turning Vesuvan Shapeshifter face up and the time it has become a copy of the creature of your choice.
• 2018-03-16
  If Vesuvan Shapeshifter copies a face-down creature, it becomes a face-up 2/2 colorless, nameless creature with no abilities other than the one it gives itself.
• 2018-03-16
  If another creature copies Vesuvan Shapeshifter while it’s face up and copying another creature, the new creature will become a copy of whatever Vesuvan Shapeshifter is copying and gain the “you may turn this creature face down” ability. It won’t gain morph . If that creature is then turned face down, its copy effect will continue and it’ll be a face-down version of whatever it’s copying. If the creature it’s copying has morph, it can be turned face up. If the creature it’s copying doesn’t have morph, it’s stuck face down.
• 2021-03-19
  Vesuvan Shapeshifter copies exactly what is printed on the creature it’s copying and nothing else (unless it’s copying a creature that’s copying something else or that’s a token; see below). It doesn’t copy whether a creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and/or Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that changed its power, toughness, types, color, and so on. Most notably, if it copies a creature that’s not normally a creature, it won’t be a creature.
• 2021-03-19
  If a copied creature has in its mana cost, X is 0.
• 2021-03-19
  If a copied creature is copying something else, Vesuvan Shapeshifter uses the copiable values of that creature. In most cases, Vesuvan Shapeshifter will copy whatever that creature is copying.
• 2021-03-19
  If a copied creature is a token that isn’t a copy of something else, Vesuvan Shapeshifter copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created it. Vesuvan Shapeshifter isn’t a token in this case.
• 2021-03-19
  Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger if Vesuvan Shapeshifter is entering the battlefield. Any “As [this creature] enters the battlefield” or “[This creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the copied creature will also work. If a Vesuvan Shapeshifter becomes a copy of a creature after it’s already on the battlefield, these abilities won’t apply as Vesuvan Shapeshifter becomes a copy since it’s not entering the battlefield; instead, any “As [this creature] is turned face up” or “When [this creature] is turned face up” abilities will apply.
• 2021-03-19
  If something copies Vesuvan Shapeshifter, the new copy will also have the triggered ability to turn it face down. However, once face-down, it won’t have Vesuvan Shapeshifter’s morph ability, so it can’t be turned face up unless whatever it’s copying also has a morph ability.