Crib Swap

Kindred is a card type that allows noncreature cards to have creature types. For example, Morcant's Eyes is an Elf (although not a creature) while on the battlefield and an Elf card (although not a creature card) in zones other than the battlefield.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

While it appears only on cards that already have other card types, kindred is a card type and will be counted by effects that refer to the number of card types among cards in a zone.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

The subtype Shapeshifter that appears on the type line is mostly there to reinforce the flavor. A creature card with changeling is just as much a Kithkin, a Goblin, a Merfolk, and a Brushwagg as it is a Shapeshifter.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

Changeling is a characteristic-defining ability. It functions in all zones, not only while a card that has it is on the battlefield.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

If an effect causes a creature with changeling to become a new creature type, it will be only that new creature type (unless the effect says "in addition" or similar). It will still have changeling; the effect making it all creature types will simply be overwritten.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

Some older cards were originally printed with the "tribal" card type. That card type has been replaced with "kindred." This change does not affect the gameplay function of these cards.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

If an effect causes a creature with changeling to lose all abilities, it will remain all creature types, even though it will no longer have changeling. This is because changeling applies before the effect that removes it.

Wotc — November 17, 2025

Kindred is a card type that allows noncreature cards to have creature types. For example, Echoes of Eternity is an Eldrazi (although not a creature) while on the battlefield and an Eldrazi card (although not a creature card) in zones other than the battlefield.

Wotc — June 07, 2024

This card was originally printed with the "tribal" card type. That card type has been replaced with "kindred". This change does not affect the gameplay function of this card.

Wotc — June 07, 2024

If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Crib Swap tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. No player will create a Shapeshifter token.

Wotc — August 07, 2020

Changeling applies in all zones, not just the battlefield.

Wotc — August 07, 2020

Kindred is a card type (like creature or instant), not a supertype (like legendary).

Wotc — August 07, 2020