MTG Wiki
Advertisement

Offspring
MTGA Offspring
Keyword Ability
Type Static (1st ability)
Triggered (2nd ability)
Introduced Bloomburrow
Last used Bloomburrow
Reminder Text Offspring [cost] (You may pay an additional [cost] as you cast this spell. If you do, when this creature enters, create a 1/1 token copy of it.)
Statistics
20 cards
{W} 20% {U} 15% {B} 20% {R} 25% {G} 20%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Offspring"

Offspring is a mechanic that was introduced in Bloomburrow to represent the familial nature of the set's characters.[1][2][3]

Description[ | ]

When you cast a creature with Offspring, you may pay an additional cost.[4] When it enters the battlefield, you may create a 1/1 token that is a copy of that creature. The token has the same name, creature types, mana cost, mana value, and abilities as its parent. The only differences are power and toughness.[2]

Like with the embalm mechanic from Amonkhet, each card with Offspring has its own dedicated token depicting its junior version. R&D wanted the creatures with Offspring to have abilities that were relevant to a 1/1 body, but usually not as potent as with the original creature. The most fruitful design space was triggers, especially "enters” triggers and attack triggers. This made the larger body better for combat while keeping the junior versions relevant.[3]

Rules[ | ]

Rulings[ | ]

  • You can pay an offspring cost only once as you cast a spell with offspring. You can't try to pay it multiple times to get more token copies.
  • If the spell is countered, the offspring ability will not trigger, and no token will be created.
  • If the spell resolves but the creature with offspring leaves the battlefield before the offspring ability resolves, you'll still create a token copy of it.
  • The token copies exactly what was printed on the original creature and nothing else, except it's a 1/1 (unless that creature is copying something else; see below). It doesn't copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its types, color, or so on.
  • In the rare case where the original creature is copying something else when the offspring ability resolves, the token enters as whatever that creature copied, except it's a 1/1.
  • Many creatures with offspring abilities have other abilities that refer to them as "this creature" rather than referring to them by name. This difference is for clarity purposes and does not change the function of any of these abilities.
  • Any "enters" abilities of the copied creature will trigger when the token enters. Any "as [this creature] enters" or "[this creature] enters with" abilities of the copied creature will also work.
  • The token created by the offspring ability isn't "cast", so abilities that trigger when a creature spell is cast won't trigger for the copy.
  • In the rare case where the creature doesn't have the offspring ability when it enters, the ability won't trigger even if you paid the offspring cost.[5]
  • If the creature with offspring leaves the battlefield before the triggered ability resolves, you still create a 1/1 token copy of that creature.[2]

Example[ | ]

Example

Thundertrap Trainer {1}{U}
Creature — Otter Wizard
1/2
Offspring {4} (You may pay an additional {4} as you cast this spell. If you do, when this creature enters, create a 1/1 token copy of it.)
When this creature enters, look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal a noncreature, nonland card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Offspring tokens[ | ]

Token Name Color Type Line P/T Text Box Source Printings
Flowerfoot Swordmaster White Creature — Mouse Soldier 1/1 Valiant — Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability you control for the first time each turn, Mice you control get +1/+0 until end of turn.
(This token's mana cost is {W}.)
Intrepid Rabbit White Creature — Rabbit Soldier 1/1 When this creature enters, target creature you control gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
(This token's mana cost is {2}{W}.)
Steelburr Champion White Creature — Mouse Soldier 1/1 Vigilance
Whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
(This token's mana cost is {2}{W}.)
Warren Warleader White Creature — Rabbit Knight 1/1 Whenever you attack, choose one —
• Create a 1/1 white Rabbit creature token that’s tapped and attacking.
• Attacking creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
(This token's mana cost is {2}{W}{W}.)
Finch Formation Blue Creature — Bird Scout 1/1 Flying
When this creature enters, target creature you control gains flying until end of turn.
(This token's mana cost is {2}{U}.)
Splash Lasher Blue Creature — Frog Wizard 1/1 When this creature enters, tap up to one target creature and put a stun counter on it. (If a permanent with a stun counter on it would become untapped, remove one from it instead.)
(This token's mana cost is {3}{U}.)
Thundertrap Trainer Blue Creature — Otter Wizard 1/1 When this creature enters, look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal a noncreature, nonland card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{U}.)
Darkstar Augur Black Creature — Bat Warlock 1/1 Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its mana value.
(This token's mana cost is {2}{B}.)
Iridescent Vinelasher Black Creature — Lizard Assassin 1/1 Landfall — Whenever a land you control enters, this creature deals 1 damage to target opponent.
(This token's mana cost is {B}.)
Starscape Cleric Black Creature — Bat Cleric 1/1 Flying
This creature can’t block.
Whenever you gain life, each opponent loses 1 life.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{B}.)
Thornplate Intimidator Black Creature — Rat Rogue 1/1 When this creature enters, target opponent loses 3 life unless they sacrifice a nonland permanent or discard a card.
(This token's mana cost is {3}{B}.)
Agate Instigator Red Creature — Lizard Rogue 1/1 Whenever another creature you control enters, this creature deals 1 damage to each opponent.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{R}.)
Coruscation Mage Red Creature — Otter Wizard 1/1 Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature deals 1 damage to each opponent.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{R}.)
Manifold Mouse Red Creature — Mouse Soldier 1/1 At the beginning of combat on your turn, target Mouse you control gains your choice of double strike or trample until end of turn.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{R}.)
Prosperous Bandit Red Creature — Raccoon Rogue 1/1 First strike
Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, create that many tapped Treasure tokens.
(This token's mana cost is {2}{R}.)
Steampath Charger Red Creature — Lizard Warlock 1/1 When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to target player.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{R}.)
Bushy Bodyguard Green Creature — Squirrel Warrior 1/1 When this creature enters, you may forage. If you do, put two +1/+1 counters on it. (To forage, exile three cards from your graveyard or sacrifice a Food.)
(This token's mana cost is {1}{G}.)
Pawpatch Recruit Green Creature — Rabbit Warrior 1/1 Trample
Whenever a creature you control becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control other than that creature.
(This token's mana cost is {G}.)
Rust-Shield Rampager Green Creature — Raccoon Warrior 1/1 This creature can’t be blocked by creatures with power 2 or less.
(This token's mana cost is {3}{G}.)
Tender Wildguide Green Creature — Possum Druid 1/1 {T}: Add one mana of any color.
{T}: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
(This token's mana cost is {1}{G}.)

Cards that grant Offspring[ | ]

See also[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. The Preview Panel - MagicCon Chicago (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (February 23 2024).
  2. a b c Matt Tabak (July 9, 2024). "Bloomburrow Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. a b Mark Rosewater (July 15, 2024). "The Bloom of the Burrow". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Mark Rosewater (July 29, 2024). "Bloomburrow Vision Design Handoff, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Eric Levine and Eliana Rabinowitz (July 19, 2024). "Bloomburrow Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
Advertisement