As a seasoned tactician, I've seen countless struggles unfold across various planes, where the tide of battle is often turned not by brute force but by the precision and unity of our creatures. And it is in these moments that a true leader looks beyond the obvious and seeks out the subtle strengths that can give their forces an edge. One such strength comes in the form of the seldom-utilized mechanic: Support.

What is Support?

Support is a keyword mechanic that can be simplified as "Support N," where the number N indicates how many creatures can receive a +1/+1 counter. So, for example, if you have a card like Aerie Auxiliary with "Support 2," when it enters, you'll be able to place a +1/+1 counter on up to two different creatures.

How Does Support Work?

Just like in any efficient military operation, understanding the rules of engagement can make all the difference.

Boost Multiple Units at Once

Unlike some mechanics that allow you to stack effects on a single creature, Support insists that you spread the enhancements among multiple creatures. This makes Support perfect for "go-wide" strategies that emphasize getting as many creatures onto the battlefield as possible. Naturally, this means the wider your army, the more valuable Support becomes.

Aid Your Allies or Your Foes

Support doesn't just strictly benefit your creatures; it can also be used on opposing creatures. Especially in multiplayer formats like Commander, this versatility can often open the door to varying degrees of diplomatic play. After all, who knows? By graciously offering a +1/+1 counter to an opponent's creature early in the game, you might just get to survive one extra turn later on in the game.

No Rambo Here

It is important to note that a creature with Support cannot put a +1/+1 counter on itself, nor can you use Support to reinforce the same creature multiple times. Remember, with Support, we're all about that good ol' team effort on the battlefield!

Synergies with Other Mechanics

Support combines just beautifully with other +1/+1 counter-based mechanics. Just off the top of my head, popular cards like Hardened Scales or Doubling Season can seamlessly amplify the value of each Support activation, adding extra counters or even doubling them. Similarly, mechanics like Proliferate can further increase the counters distributed by Support, turning all your creatures into ever-growing threats.

History of Support

Support first marched onto the battlefields in Oath of the Gatewatch (2016), where the set's storyline revolved around teamwork and unity in the face of overwhelming odds brought about by the Eldrazi Titans.

Then, once the Allies successfully fended off the Eldrazi insurgence, the mechanic wouldn't make its second appearance until Battlebond (2018), a set designed for Two-Headed Giant, where teamwork was often no longer just an option but a requirement for victory.

Following these two sets, Support has only been seen sporadically, with only a card here and there in sets like Modern Horizons 2, Streets of New Capenna Commander decks, and Modern Horizons 3.

And admittedly, even though Support hasn't ever been a dominant force in the MTG competitive scene like some mechanics (cough power creep cough), one can argue that it remains a valuable tool in the hands of those who appreciate the strength of numbers and the bonds of teamwork.

Support Today

And in case you haven't had the chance to show your Support to your troops, here is a complete list of all the Support cards out there that are sure to fortify your ranks:

• Aerie Auxiliary
• Captured by Lagacs
• Expedition Raptor
• Generous Patron
• Gladehart Cavalry
• Joraga Auxiliary
• Jubilant Mascot
• Lead by Example
• Nissa's Judgment
• Press into Service
• Relief Captain
• Saddleback Lagac
• Shoulder to Shoulder
• Skyboon Evangelist
• Soulblade Renewer
• The Crowd Goes Wild
• Together Forever
• Unity of Purpose

The Future of Support

While Support certainly brought with it a fresh take on the concept of teamwork, I unfortunately find it quite unlikely that we'll see a major resurgence of the mechanic in future Magic: The Gathering sets. After all, I think we can all agree that Support is somewhat limited in its overall impact.

The main issue I find with Support is that, aside from its glorious flavor profile, it doesn't really offer the kind of versatility or power level that more modern mechanics need to make a splash in competitive play. It's a mechanic that is primarily reactive rather than proactive: you rely on having enough creatures to benefit from it, and even then, the restriction of only being able to place one +1/+1 counter per creature can feel underwhelming compared to more efficient counter-based strategies like Proliferate or, dare I say it, Modular.

And while there's admittedly always room for surprise and innovation, as it stands, it looks like Support will mostly remain a mechanic of niche appeal, primarily for players like myself, who enjoy building Theme Commander Decks or casual multiplayer environments.