A new mechanic called Offspring synergizes with go-wide Magic: The Gathering strategies and creature themes within the Bloomburrow Standard-legal set. Similar to Kicker, in that you pay extra mana for additional value, the mechanic creates a copy token of the card with Offspring.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new MTG Offspring mechanic.
What is the Offspring mechanic in MTG?
The Offspring mechanic requires a player to pay additional mana when you cast a creature spell, creating a 1/1 token of that creature card with the same abilities as the original card that was cast.
- Offspring definition: You may pay an additional “X” mana (the number is determined on creature card) as you cast this spell. If you do, when this creature enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 token copy.
You’ll find the new MTG mechanic on creature types designed to go wide, like a Mouse or a Rabbit. Much like the name suggests, you fill your board with offspring to strengthen your board state and that specific creature type.
What’s unique about the Offspring token in MTG?
Unlike MTG tokens that are created, an Offspring token has the same abilities as the card it was copied from. It also has a mana value, which tokens in Magic typically don’t have.
The token having a mana value is especially important in MTG Devotion builds as the mechanic cares about the number of color pips on the battlefield.
Examples of MTG cards with Offspring mechanic in Bloomburrow
One of the best MTG Bloomburrow cards (at time of writing) with the Offspring mechanic is Warren Warleader. The four-drop Mono-White Mythic Rare has an Offspring cost of two. If you pay the CMS of six, the token created also has the Rabbit Knight’s modal abilities copied over.
With Warren Warleader and an Offspring copy on the battlefield, you can quickly create an army of Rabbits or buff them with +1/+1 stats until the end of the turn when you attack.
Flowerfoot Swordmaster is another example that will perform well within the Bloomburrow Limited format. The one-drop Mono-White 1/2 Mouse Soldier has an Offspring cost of two and a new keyword ability called Valiant.
- Valiant definition: Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability you control for the first time each turn, Mice you control get +1/+0 until the end of turn.
The Mouse Soldier token created from Flowerfoot Swordmaster through Offspring has the same keyword ability, strengthening your board state through the use of combat tricks and cheap Equipment.
