Have you ever looked at your creatures and thought, ''It's good, but what if bigger? What if stronger? What if... unstoppable?'' Well, good news, that's what the Gatecrash (2013) mechanic Evolve is all about, as it stands as the premier mechanic that can take our creatures from their humble beginnings and transform them into apex predators in just a matter of minutes. And if you're anything like me, a mad brewer who's constantly obsessed with the idea of perfecting strange and unexplored strategies, you're about to fall in love with the utter brilliance that is this mechanic. So, without further ado, pull on your lab coat, grab your test tubes, and join me in this segment of Mechanics Overview as we dive into the wild and wonderful world of Evolve!

What is Evolve?

''Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.''

Evolve is a triggered ability that checks the stats of new creatures entering the battlefield against those of the creature with the keyword. If the incoming creature has a higher stat (either power or toughness), the creature with Evolve will gain a +1/+1 counter. Simple, right?

Evolution in Action

1. turn one: We play a Cloudfin Raptor, the unassuming 0/1 flier that wreaked havoc all throughout its time in Standard.
2. turn two: We play a Shambleshark, a 2/1. Since Shambleshark's power, 2, is greater than Cloudfin Raptor's power, 0, Cloudfin Raptor's Evolve ability triggers, giving it a +1/+1 counter and making it a 1/2.
3. turn three: We play a 0/3 Dinosaur Egg, triggering Evolve once again. Both Cloudfin Raptor and Shambleshark gain +1/+1 counters since Dinosaur Egg has more toughness than both Evolve creatures.

Growth! Perfection! Truly, the embodiment of progress!

Evolve: Rulings & Interactions

Ah, the devil is always in the details, isn't it? Like any great experiment, the success of Evolve depends on our thorough understanding of all its rulings and how it interacts in any game state. So, let's crack open that lab manual and get to it!

Power-to-Power, Toughness-to-Toughness

Evolve checks power against power and toughness against toughness. No exceptions. These comparisons are independent, and you only need one to be greater for Evolve to trigger.

Field Notes:

If we control a 2/2 Watchful Radstag and a 3/2 creature enters, the new creature's power, 3, is greater than Watchful Ragstag's power, 2, so Evolve will trigger. However, in the same example, if a 2/2 enters the battlefield, neither its power nor toughness exceeds that of our 2/2 Watchful Radstag, so Evolve will not trigger at all.

The Trigger Isn't Retroactive

Evolve won't give us a chance to respond by altering stats after a new creature enters. If the stats don't line up when the new creature hits the battlefield, Evolve simply won't trigger.

Field Notes:

A 1/2 creature enters the battlefield while we control a 1/4 Clinging Anemones. We can't cast a toughness pump spell like Tower Defense on the 1/2 in an attempt to force Evolve to trigger. The comparison happens immediately when the creature successfully enters the battlefield.

Stats Are Always Rechecked When the Ability Resolves

In contrast to our last entry, if Evolve successfully triggers, you'll be happy to know that the stat comparison happens once on its trigger and once again when the ability attempts to resolve. Naturally, if the comparison fails as it tries to resolve, Evolve will do nothing, but it does mean that we get to play around a bit if our opponents want to disrupt the trigger with removal or stat-altering effects.

Field Notes:

We control a 1/1 Experiment One. A 5/5 successfully enters our side of the battlefield, triggering Evolve. Before the ability resolves, the 5/5 is reduced to a 1/1 by a spell like Grasp of Darkness. Evolve resolves but sees no greater stats, so no counter gets added to our Experiment.

However, if, in this instance, we then respond to our opponent's Grasp of Darkness by casting the same Tower Defense we mentioned previously, our new 1/1 would then grow to be a 1/6, thus allowing our Experiment to successfully Evolve as the trigger resolves.

Oh, and before I forget, if the new creature happens to leave the battlefield before Evolve resolves, the game will still use its last known power and toughness to complete the comparison! They can use all the removal spells they want, but in the end, life goes on.

Entering with Counters Counts

Evolve is not picky when it comes to stat comparison. Even creatures that enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters already on them, like Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig, have their counters factored into the stat comparison.

Field Notes:

Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig, enters the battlefield with four +1/+1 counters, effectively making it a 4/4. If we happen to control a Crocanura, congrats! Crocanura's Evolve ability will still trigger even though Yorvo's base power and toughness are 0s.

Multiple Creatures Entering Simultaneously

This is where things most often get convoluted. In the event that multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, Evolve can trigger multiple times. But it's important to note that each instance will resolve independently, with the stat comparison happening each and every time.

Field Notes:

We control a 1/2 Simic Fluxmage. Two 2/2 creatures enter the battlefield simultaneously through something like Collected Company. Evolve triggers twice. The first trigger resolves, giving our Simic Fluxmage a +1/+1 counter, making it a 2/3. When the second trigger resolves, our Simic Fluxmage's new stats, now a 2/3, are compared again to the second 2/2, and since neither stat is greater this time around, the second trigger will do nothing.

Cards with Evolve

And now that we've thoroughly dissected all the intricate rulings and interactions of Evolve, it's time for you to examine all of these fine Evolve cards up close:

• Adaptive Snapjaw
• Battering Krasis
• Clinging Anemones
• Cloudfin Raptor
• Crocanura
• Dinosaur Egg
• Elusive Krasis
• Experiment One
• Fathom Mage
• Gluttonous Slug
• Gyre Sage
• Lonis, Genetics Expert
• Pollywog Prodigy
• Renegade Krasis
• Scurry Oak
• Shambleshark
• Simic Fluxmage
• Simic Manipulator
• Tyranid Prime
• Watchful Radstag

The Future of Evolve

As a constant deckbrewer, I naturally can't help but Ponder about the future of Evolve. After all, we've already seen it make numerous appearances even in sets outside of Gatecrash, like in all 3 Modern Horizons sets, and even in various Commander decks. But what truly lies ahead for Evolve? What new experiments will Wizards unleash upon us?

Like what if we got a creature with Evolve that granted abilities to our other creatures as it grew? Or perhaps one that rewarded us for triggering Evolve multiple times in a turn? The possibilities are literally endless, limited only by the imagination of the ever-revered Magic: The Gathering R&D Department.

But, for now, all we can do is hope that Wizards will continue to embrace the Simic spirit of growth and experimentation as they continue to deliver us more and more tools to perfect the evolutionary masterpieces that we call our decks. Until that time comes, as always, happy brewing, and may you always keep experimenting, your +1/+1 counters piling, and your creatures ever adapting.