Populate
| Populate | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Return to Ravnica |
| Last used | Modern Horizons 3 Commander |
| Reminder Text | Populate (Create a token that's a copy of a creature token you control.) |
| Storm Scale | 6[1] |
| Statistics |
26 cards  30.8%  3.8%  7.7%  23.1%  23.1%  11.5% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Populate" | |
Populate is a keyword action introduced in Return to Ravnica associated with the Selesnya Conclave.[2]
Description
Populate is a mechanic that creates copies of creature tokens. As it does nothing on its own, it requires a minor amount of setup. Hence, it is designed in two ways: the first is when the effect creates a token, then lets the caster populate. Such an effect is costed for the expected cost of two tokens and can become more powerful with better tokens: compare Horncaller's Chant to Eyes in the Skies. Alternatively, it can be put as a rider on a card mostly on rate, which would become card advantage with other token production.
The mechanic was given a middling 6 on the Storm Scale. While popular yet easy to balance, it requires a devoted infrastructure to make it both interesting while not overwhelming.[3] As Commander products have fewer restrictions on token density and are fully preconstructed, cards that only populate are more common there, in contrast to randomized premier products.
History
Populate was designed by Mark Rosewater. During design it was named "Propagate"[4][5] Populate was introduced in Return to Ravnica as the mechanic for the Selesnya Conclave. Dragon's Maze added two more cards with populate.
Commander 2019 later used populate as a theme for its deck, which added five new cards. Some of these cards modified the outcome of the copied token. It also appeared as a one-off in New Capenna Commander, March of the Machine Commander, Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, the Lord of the Rings Holiday Release, Modern Horizons 3 and Modern Horizons 3 Commander. In Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, the first mono-black populator was printed, alongside a 
populator.
Populate can be done in blue if it returns in a non-Ravnica set.[6]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (April 4, 2025—Tarkir: Dragonstorm)
- Populate
- A keyword action that creates a copy of a creature token you control. See rule 701.30, “Populate.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (April 4, 2025—Tarkir: Dragonstorm)
- 701.30. Populate
- 701.30a To populate means to choose a creature token you control and create a token that’s a copy of that creature token.
- 701.30b If you control no creature tokens when instructed to populate, you won’t create a token.
Rulings
- You can choose any creature token you control. If a spell or ability puts a token onto the battlefield under your control and then instructs you to populate (as Coursers’ Accord does), you may choose to copy the token you just created, or you may choose to copy another creature token you control.
- If you choose to copy a creature token that's a copy of another creature, the new creature token will copy the characteristics of whatever the original token is copying.
- The new creature token copies the characteristics of the original token as stated by the effect that put the original token onto the battlefield.
- The new token doesn't copy whether the original token is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any noncopy effects that have changed its power, toughness, color, and so on.
- Any "as [this creature] enters the battlefield" or "[this creature] enters the battlefield with" abilities of the new token will work.
- If you control no creature tokens when you populate, nothing will happen.
Examples
Example
Eyes in the Skies 
Instant
Put a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield, then populate. (Put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of a creature token you control.)
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2024-03-06). "Where is populate on the storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 2, 2012). "Return to Ravnica Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 2, 2016). "Storm Scale: Ravnica and Return to Ravnica". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 27, 2018). "What was the Guilds that you are directly responsible to design its abilities?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 27, 2024). "With proliferate and populate both being done already, what do you think a mechanic called Propagate would do?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 13, 2023). "How come Populate is green and white, and not blue?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
