Mobilize

Mobilize
Keyword Ability
Type	Triggered
Introduced	Tarkir: Dragonstorm
Last used	Tarkir: Dragonstorm
Reminder Text	Mobilize N (Whenever this creature attacks, create N tapped and attacking 1/1 red Warrior creature tokens. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step.)
Storm Scale	5
Scryfall Statistics
15 cards 20% 20% 20% 40%

Mobilize is a triggered keyword ability introduced in Tarkir: Dragonstorm, where it is tied to the Mardu Horde clan.

Description

Whenever a creature with mobilize N attacks, its controller creates N 1/1 red Warrior creature tokens. The tokens enter tapped and attacking, but each token may be assigned to attack a different player, planeswalker, or battle. They are sacrificed at the end of turn, triggering rewards for death and are good fodder during the second main phase, but as they are 1/1s, they are liable to be blocked and killed in combat. That said, many cards can exploit blocking and damaged creatures, giving the opponent a quandary between these two lines of play.

War Effort and Dalkovan Encampment broadly give Mobilize 1 and 2, respectively, to an attacking player, while Mardu Siegebreaker Mobilizes a token copy of a creature it exiled.

History

The first instance of a mechanic resembling Mobilize came from Gemini Engine, itself a reference to Stangg. Famously, Constructed stars Geist of Saint Traft and Goblin Rabblemaster have a similar premise. Rarely were the tokens of these designs as small as 1/1s, as the latter's ability to amass them was a critical aspect of its power. Additionally, the tokens of these parallel designs often are lost at the end of combat rather than the end step, a safety valve that Mobilize removes to give the 1/1s more play. Some creatures like Flamerush Rider make temporary attacking copies of other creatures.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Mobilize

A keyword ability that creates a number of tapped and attacking red Warrior creature tokens that are sacrificed at the beginning of the next end step. See rule 702.181, “Mobilize.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—Avatar: The Last Airbender)

• 702.181. Mobilize
  • 702.181a Mobilize is a triggered ability. “Mobilize N” means “Whenever this creature attacks, create N 1/1 red Warrior creature tokens. Those tokens enter tapped and attacking. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step.”

Rulings

From the Release Notes for Tarkir: Dragonstorm (January 7, 2025)

• You choose the player, planeswalker, or battle each Warrior token is attacking. They don't all have to attack the same one, and they don't have to attack the same player, planeswalker, or battle as the creature with mobilize.
• Although the Warrior tokens enter as attacking creatures, they were never declared as attacking creatures. Abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks won't trigger when the tokens enter attacking.

Example

Example

Dragonback Lancer
Creature — Human Soldier
3/3
Flying
Mobilize 1 (Whenever this creature attacks, create a tapped and attacking 1/1 red Warrior creature token. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.)

Cards the grant mobilize

• Infantry Shield (equipped creature) — gains mobilize X, where X is its power.

See also

• Myriad