Standard rotation just happened with the release of Bloomburrow and everyone is running around playing their frogs, or their bunnies, and what have you. But what everyone seems to be forgetting is that even with this Standard rotation, there are still a plethora of creatures lying in the tall grass that are just waiting to take a bite out of your new furry companions. Creatures that can hatch at a moment's notice - well - at the cost of two generic mana but that's still pretty scary!

That's right, folks! Today, we're going to be revisiting one of the most impactful mechanics that emerged out of March of the Machine: Incubate. So, even if you think the Phyrexian threat is over with the fall of Elesh Norn, I'm here to tell you that you really shouldn't count your ravenous robot chickens before they've hatched.

March of the Machines Mechanics: Incubate

For the uninitiated, Incubate is a keyword action that triggers the creation of an Incubator token. This token is initially an artifact with no creature type and does not have any abilities that affect the battlefield immediately. However, its potential lies in what it can become rather than what it is initially.

Here's a quick look at your typical Incubate process:

1. Create an Incubator Token: When a spell or ability instructs you to Incubate, you generate an Incubator token.
2. Adding +1/+1 Counters: Simultaneously, the token enters the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters, typically determined by the specifics of the Incubate trigger (e.g., Incubate 3 would add three +1/+1 counters).
3. Transformation: For a cost, typically two generic mana, these tokens can then be transformed at instant speed (Baby Phyrexians apparently do not care for Summoning Sickness) into a "Token Artifact Creature - Phyrexian," which retains the previously added +1/+1 counters but now becomes an active participant in combat and other interactions.

So, What Incubates?

At this time of writing, there are a grand total of 33 cards with the MTG Incubate mechanic:

• Assimilate Essence
• Blighted Burgeoning
• Blight Titan
• Bloated Processor
• Brimaz, Blight of Oreskos
• Chrome Host Seedshark
• Compleated Huntmaster
• Converter Beast
• Corruption of Towashi
• Elesh Norn
• Elvish Vatkeeper
• Essence of Orthodoxy
• Excise the Imperfect
• Eyes of Gitaxias
• Furnace Gremlin
• Gift of Compleation
• Glissa, Herald of Predation
• Glistening Dawn
• Ichor Drinker
• Infected Defector
• Injector Crocodile
• Marauding Dreadship
• Merciless Repurposing
• Norn's Inquisitor
• Phyrexian Awakening
• Progenitor Exarch
• Sculpted Perfection
• Searing Barb
• Sunder the Gateway
• Sunfall
• Tangled Skyline
• Tiller of Flesh
• Traumatic Revelation

My Top 3 MTG Incubate Cards

Since the release of March of the Machine on April 21, 2023, several of these Incubate cards were quickly adopted by players eager to exploit this mechanic. However, as metas evolve, as they often do, only a subset of these cards continue to see widespread play today. Here's my breakdown of what I believe to be the top 3 Incubate-rs of their time:

#3. Norn's Inquisitor

I said it back when I was first getting into Quick Draft on Magic: The Gathering Arena and I'll say it again: Get as many copies of Norn's Inquisitor as you can if you're ever drafting with this set again. This unassuming two-mana Phyrexian Knight, for me at least, was a Limited all-star as it essentially provided you with incremental value for all your little Incubator tokens, regardless of where they came from. And even if this was your only Incubator generator, at its worst, it's still a four-mana 4/4 spread across two bodies! First pick, every time, trust me on this one.

#2 Chrome Host Seedshark

Now, this mommy shark was initially hyped as one of the best, if not the best, Incubate generator when it was first released into the populace. And I can't really blame people for thinking that way. After all, a three-mana 2/4 flier is often more than enough to slow down your typical Mono-Red Aggro decks. Then, as the game progresses, with its ability to incubate X, where X is the mana value of each non-creature spell you cast, you start generating baby sharks for FREE!

Despite all its value, however, I think where this card flopped was the fact that the Control decks that tried it in the main deck were often forced to make a choice. Naturally, with its Incubate ability, the earlier you can establish it onto the battlefield, the more value you will gain over the course of the game.

But then the issue quickly became: Would you ever want to tap out on turns 3-5 to play your value generator, or would you rather hold up mana so your opponent doesn't go crazy? As something of a control player myself, the choice was unfortunately obvious.

#1. Sunfall

From its very inception during March of the Machine spoiler season till even today, this sorcery-speed board wipe has practically been a 4-of in every list that played it, and for good reason. Control deck wants a sweeper and a win condition? Sunfall. Midrange deck lost the die roll and has to play catchup? Sunfall. You're playing mono-White something? Yea, why not, Sunfall. Heck, are all your friends playing cards like Heroic Intervention and Flawless Maneuver in your casual Commander pod? SUNFALL!!! It's really that good.

Keep an Eye on These Eggs

So, sure, the release of Bloomburrow has everyone buzzing about their frogs, bunnies, rats, and bats, but let's never forget about the Phyrexian threat that remains ever lurking in the shadows of a turn 5 Sunfall. Until next time!