Spore counter

Spore counter
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Fungus.svg}}|70x70px]]
Counter
Use	Upkeep tracking; Resource
Placed on	Creatures (especially Fungi)
Introduced	Fallen Empires
Last used	Alchemy: Ixalan
Statistics
20 cards 10% 5% 85%
Scryfall search
oracle:"Spore counter"

Spore counters are counters that form the basis of the Thallid mechanic, which are a fungus tribal subtype from Fallen Empires (with some guest Elves), and are usually created during the upkeep step.

Description

Originally all spore counters had a secondary ability with a cost of "Remove three spore counters from this card:", but with several different effects; the most common of these was to create a 1/1 Saproling token. Its return in Time Spiral expanded on this using Thallid Devourer as a basis; there would be an upkeep spore counter ability, a Saproling-creating ability, and sometimes a Saproling-sacrificing ability. Alchemy: Ixalan combined these two aspects into Propagator Primordium.

This allows the player to have a spore counter and a Saproling token-based economy.

Notable cards

• Fungal Bloom can place spore counter on a target Fungus.
• Thelon of Havenwood is a fungus lord, which gives +1/+1 for each spore counter on it.
• Sporesower Thallid doubles the spore counter production, and Sporoloth Ancient lowers the cost from three counters to two counters to germinate. Put together, they allow for one Saproling every other turn, per Fungus, and even allow Fungi without natural spore counters to germinate Saprolings.

Trivia

• In Magic Online, the counter is colored green as its considered a positive effect and shares its icon with Fungus, Growth, Matrix, Petal, Polyp, Pupa, Rust, and Vitality counters.