If two legendary permanents with the same name are controlled by the same player which one do they keep?

The 'Legend Rule' (CR 704.5j) is a state-based action that applies whenever a player controls two or more legendary permanents with the same name. As soon as this situation arises, the game checks state-based actions and the rule triggers.

When this happens, the controlling player chooses exactly one of those legendary permanents to keep. All other copies they control with that same name are immediately put into the graveyard. This is not a 'destroy' effect, so indestructible does not save the discarded copy — it goes directly to the graveyard as a state-based action (CR 704.5j).

Importantly, this is the controller's choice — they pick whichever copy they want to retain, often choosing based on counters, Auras attached, or other relevant differences between the two permanents.

Example: You control a Giada, Font of Hope with a +1/+1 counter on it, and you then play a second Giada from your hand. State-based actions are checked, and you choose to keep the Giada with the counter, putting the freshly played one into the graveyard.

Note: This rule only applies to permanents controlled by the same player. If each player controls a legendary permanent with the same name, both remain on the battlefield with no issue (CR 704.5j).