Evolve
| Evolve | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Duels Evolve.png}}|70x70px]] | |
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Triggered |
| Introduced | Gatecrash |
| Last used | Modern Horizons 3 |
| Reminder Text | Evolve (Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.) |
| Storm Scale | 4[1] |
| Statistics |
16 cards  25%  6.3%  43.8%  25% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Evolve" | |
Evolve is a keyword introduced in Gatecrash where it serves as the guild mechanic for the Simic Combine.[2]
Description
Inspired by the concept of creatures "evolving in response to competitive pressure from other organisms", Evolve was originally created by Ethan Fleischer during The Great Designer Search 2.[3][4][5]
A creature with evolve gains additional +1/+1 counters whenever another, bigger creature enters the battlefield under the same player's control. The reminder text for Evolve reads "Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature."
History
Evolve reappeared as a one-off in the Tyranid Swarm commander deck from Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks.
Though not identical mechanically, Evolving Adaptive from Phyrexia: All Will Be One "evolves" through Oil counters. Sharp-Eyed Rookie from Murders at Karlov Manor has the ability written out without the keyword, with the additional effect of investigating whenever the ability triggers.
Evolve also appeared in Ravnica: Clue Edition and Modern Horizons 3..
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Evolve
- A keyword ability that lets you put a +1/+1 counter on a creature when a larger creature enters the battlefield under your control. See rule 702.100, “Evolve.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.100. Evolve
- 702.100a Evolve is a triggered ability. “Evolve” means “Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature’s power is greater than this creature’s power and/or that creature’s toughness is greater than this creature’s toughness, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.”
- 702.100b A creature “evolves” when one or more +1/+1 counters are put on it as a result of its evolve ability resolving.
- 702.100c A creature can’t have a greater power or toughness than a noncreature permanent.
- 702.100d If a creature has multiple instances of evolve, each triggers separately.
Rulings
- When comparing the stats of the two creatures, you always compare power to power and toughness to toughness.
- Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, check its power and toughness against the power and toughness of the creature with evolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, evolve won't trigger at all. For example, if you control a 2/3 creature with evolve and a 2/2 creature enters the battlefield under your control, you won't have the opportunity to cast a spell like Giant Growth to make the 2/2 creature large enough to cause evolve to trigger.
- If evolve triggers, the stat comparison will happen again when the ability tries to resolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, the ability will do nothing. If the creature that entered the battlefield leaves the battlefield before evolve tries to resolve, use its last known power and toughness to compare the stats.
- If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it, consider those counters when determining if evolve will trigger. For example, a 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it will cause the evolve ability of a 2/2 creature to trigger.
- If multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, evolve may trigger multiple times, although the stat comparison will take place each time one of those abilities tries to resolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and two 3/3 creatures enter the battlefield, evolve will trigger twice. The first ability will resolve and put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. When the second ability tries to resolve, neither the power nor the toughness of the new creature is greater than that of the creature with evolve, so that ability does nothing.
- When comparing the stats as the evolve ability resolves, it's possible that the stat that's greater changes from power to toughness or vice versa. If this happens, the ability will still resolve and you'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and a 1/3 creature enters the battlefield under your control, its' toughness is greater so evolve will trigger. In response, the 1/3 creature gets +2/-2. When the evolve trigger tries to resolve, its power is greater. You'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve.
Examples
Example
Fathom Mage 
Creature — Human Wizard
1/1
Evolve (Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
Whenever a +1/+1 counter is placed on Fathom Mage, you may draw a card.
Cards that grant Evolve
- Tyranid Prime
- Propagator Drone (creature Tokens)
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2018-06-20). "Where does Evolve sit on the Storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 31, 2012). "Gatecrashing the Party, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Ethan Fleischer. "Well, it's official. My Evolve ...". Twitter.
- ↑ Ethan Fleischer. "@skyteddy The original idea ...". Twitter.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (February 9, 2011). "The Great Designer Search 2 Finalists: Ethan Fleischer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
