Squad
| Squad | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type |
Static (1st ability) Triggered (2nd ability) |
| Introduced | Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks |
| Last used | Fallout |
| Reminder Text | Squad [cost] (As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may pay [cost] any number of times. When this creature enters the battlefield, create that many tokens that are copies of it.) |
| Storm Scale | 5[1] |
| Statistics |
12 cards  41.7%  16.7%  16.7%  16.7%  8.3% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Squad" | |
Squad is a mechanic that was introduced in the Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks.[2][3]
Description
When you cast a creature with Squad, you may pay an additional cost any number of times. When it enters the battlefield, you may create that many tokens that are copies of it.
It can be thought of as the creature version of Replicate. However, one counterspell will manage the entire Squad spell, whilst Replicate would fill the stack with copies. As a consequence, Replicate copies enter sequentially while Squad copies enter simultaneously.
History
Squad was introduced in the Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks as the tabletop game is based on using squads of troops to attack an opponent's squad.
Squad reappeared as a one-off on Galadhrim Brigade from the Lord of the Rings Holiday Release.
Fallout, again in Universes Beyond, utilized the Squad mechanic as a minor theme in the Hail, Caesar commander deck.[4][5][6]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Squad
- A keyword ability that creates copies of a creature when it enters the battlefield. See rule 702.157, “Squad.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.157. Squad
- 702.157a Squad is a keyword that represents two linked abilities. The first is a static ability that functions while the creature spell with squad is on the stack. The second is a triggered ability that functions when the creature with squad enters the battlefield. “Squad [cost]” means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may pay [cost] any number of times” and “When this creature enters the battlefield, if its squad cost was paid, create a token that’s a copy of it for each time its squad cost was paid.” Paying a spell’s squad cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h.
- 702.157b If a spell has multiple instances of squad, each is paid separately. If a permanent has multiple instances of squad, each triggers based on the payments made for that squad ability as it was cast, not based on payments for any other instance of squad.
Example
Example
Arco-Flagellant 
Creature — Human
3/1
Squad (As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may pay any number of times. When this creature enters the battlefield, create that many tokens that are copies of it.)
Arco-Flagellant can't block.
Endurant — Pay 3 life: Arco-Flagellant gains indestructible until end of turn.
Rulings
- You may pay the squad cost any number of times. You will get a token that is a copy of that permanent for each time you paid the squad cost.
- The ability will not trigger and tokens will not be created if the original spell has been countered or is otherwise no longer on the stack as the triggered ability resolves.
- The tokens created by the squad ability aren't "cast," so any abilities that trigger when a spell is cast won't trigger for the copies.
- If, for some reason, the creature doesn't have the squad ability when it's on the battlefield, the ability won't trigger, even if you've paid the squad cost one or more times.
Squad tokens
| Token Name | Color | Type Line | P/T | Text Box | Source | Printings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Clone | White | Creature — Human Citizen | 1/3 | Whenever Gary Clone attacks, each creature you control named Gary Clone gets +1/+0 until end of turn. | ||
| Ultramarines Honour Guard | White | Creature — Astartes Warrior | 2/2 | Other creatures you control get +1/+1. | ||
| Securitron Squadron | White | Artifact Creature — Robot | 2/2 | Vigilance Whenever a creature token enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on it. |
||
| Space Marine Devastator | White | Creature — Astartes Warrior | 3/3 | When Space Marine Devastator enters the battlefield, destroy up to one target artifact or enchantment | ||
| Zephyrim | White | Creature — Human Warrior | 3/3 | Flying, vigilance | ||
| Sicarian Infiltrator | Blue | Artifact Creature — Human Soldier | 1/2 | When Sicarian Infiltrator enters the battlefield, draw a card. | ||
| Vanguard Suppressor | Blue | Creature — Astartes Warrior | 3/2 | Flying Whenever Vanguard Suppresor deals combat damage to a player, draw a card. |
||
| Arco-Flagellant | Black | Creature — Human | 3/1 | Arco-Flagellant can't block Pay 3 life: Arco-Flagellant gains indestructible until end of turn. |
||
| Wasteland Raider | Black | Creature — Human Mercenary | 4/3 | When Wasteland Raider enters the battlefield, each player sacrifices a creature. | ||
| Powder Ganger | Red | Creature — Human Rogue | 2/2 | When Powder Ganger enters the battlefield, destroy up to one target artifact. | ||
| Thrill-Kill Disciple | Red | Creature — Human Mercenary | 3/2 | When Thrill-Kill Disciple dies, create a Junk token. | ||
| Galadhrim Brigade | Green | Creature — Elf Soldier | 2/2 | Other Elves you control get +1/+1. |
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2024-01-11). "Where is Squad on the Storm Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Billie Kaplan (May 12, 2022). "A First Look at Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000 Collaboration". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Jess Dunks (September 19, 2022). "Warhammer 40,000 Commander Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Blake Rasmussen, Chris Mooney, Pete Hines (October 19, 2023). "Magic: The Gathering x Fallout™ - First Look (Video)". YouTube.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (February 20, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering - Fallout Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Annie Sardelis (February 27, 2024). "Designing the Magic: The Gathering - Fallout Commander Decks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.