Just like any other activated ability unless otherwise stated it can only by activated when it is in play.
So...
@GladiusLucix
Pyromancer Ascension and Locket of Yesterdays don't work since the cards name will always be _____ when it's in your graveyard
grandeur doesn't work since the cards name will always be _____ when its in your hand
@KokoshoForPresident
None of the heralds can tutor this card into play since its name will always be _____ when its in your library.
Who ever came up with evil twin that does work and is awesomely funny congrats to you on actually knowing how activated abilities work.
Posted By:
YertleTheTurtle
(12/6/2012 9:39:54 PM)
@YertleTheTurtle
You clearly missed the "Play this ability anywhere, anytime." part of his first ability.
Posted By:
JmLyan
(3/16/2013 3:51:50 PM)
You can only play the flavor text ability when it is on the battlefield.
Posted By:
TheWrathofShane
(3/20/2013 9:25:45 PM)
so you can use his ability even while you're not playing? in that case paying the mana cost might be kinda hard... maybe if you just put an island on a table and turn it sideways...
Posted By:
supershawn
(8/4/2010 2:34:07 PM)
Cool, you could actually name him Mountain or whatever and Maelstrom Pulse him to one-sided Armageddon!
Posted By:
yesnomu
(11/4/2010 4:34:56 PM)
Combos well with Squadron Hawk for even more card draw (at 1 extra mana per card, but that's reasonable :P)
Posted By:
Pramxnim
(8/10/2010 1:29:14 AM)
"Agent Mulder, FBI."
Posted By:
car2n
(4/6/2010 11:50:17 PM)
I'm using his first ability right now.
Posted By:
Grouchu
(6/17/2010 6:37:48 PM)
_____ + Wordmail = A most terrifying combo...
Did you say Infernal temporary part-time libraries North-West inter-library loan business unit administration assistant former known as part-time healthcare team foot health gain facilitator Johnny??!.......FOR 26 WHAT???
Posted By:
Dante80
(9/3/2009 4:45:28 PM)
Fun policing time!
The Unhinged FAQ says that it has to be the name of a creature that exists in Magic. That said, you CAN change it to Our Market Reasearch ...etc etc... Elemental. The quote that proves it:
"To save us some space, maybe I should let you know what it can become. You may change this card to have the name of any _Magic_ card in existence. The reason for this is that there's this picky little rule that only allows you to change items into things that exist in the game. (Stupid comp. rules.)"
Also, it cannot kill legendary permanents. If two legendary permanents with the same name are in play, both of them die as a state based effect. But both permanents must be legendary (Clone copies the legendary status), which our dear nameless friend is not.
Sorry, folks. Now I'm off to ruin someone else's day. Twirling my handlebar mustache menecingly, no doubt.
Posted By:
DoctorKenneth
(3/30/2010 11:29:41 AM)