Birthing Pod is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
(can be paid with either
or 2 life.)
, Sacrifice a creature: Search your library for a creature card with mana value equal to 1 plus the sacrificed creature's mana value, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle. Activate only as a sorcery.
Complete guide
Birthing Pod is a powerful artifact that allows you to transform your creatures into more formidable threats directly from your library. By utilizing Phyrexian mana and a toolbox of creatures, you can climb the mana curve to dominate the battlefield. This card is a staple for players who enjoy tactical flexibility and incremental value.
What it Does
Birthing Pod is an artifact that features Phyrexian mana, meaning you can pay for its costs using either Green mana or 2 life. Its activated ability allows you to sacrifice a creature you control to search your library for a creature card that costs exactly one mana more than the sacrificed one. The new creature is placed directly onto the battlefield, and because this is an activated ability, you can only use it during your main phase when the stack is empty.
How it Resolves Step by Step
First, you pay the activation cost: one generic mana, one Green mana (or 2 life), tap Birthing Pod, and sacrifice a creature. Second, the ability goes on the stack. Third, upon resolution, you check the mana value of the creature you sacrificed. Fourth, you search your library for a creature card with a mana value equal to that value plus one. Finally, you put that creature onto the battlefield and shuffle your library.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is trying to activate Birthing Pod on an opponent's turn; remember, it can only be activated as a sorcery. Another mistake involves mana values: tokens generally have a mana value of 0, so sacrificing a token will fetch a creature with mana value 1. Additionally, you cannot pay 2 life if your life total is 1 or less, as you must be able to pay the full cost to activate the ability.
When to Play It
Birthing Pod is best used in decks that utilize 'enters-the-battlefield' or 'dies' triggers. By sacrificing a creature that has already provided value, you can chain into a larger threat that provides even more utility. It is also an excellent tool for finding specific silver-bullet creatures to answer your opponent's board state.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield (mana value 4). You activate Birthing Pod, sacrificing the Golem. The 'dies' trigger of Solemn Simulacrum goes on the stack, allowing you to draw a card. When Birthing Pod's ability resolves, you search your library for a creature card with mana value 5 and put it onto the battlefield.
Commander's SphereWhile Commander's Sphere is on the battlefield, you cannot sacrifice it to Birthing Pod because Birthing Pod specifically requires a creature as a sacrifice. If you use an effect to turn Commander's Sphere into a creature, it would have a mana value of 3. Sacrificing it would then allow you to search for a creature card with mana value 4.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Birthing Pod
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
To calculate the mana value of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If you're at 1 life or less, you can't pay 2 life.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can't produce Phyrexian mana.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
A creature's mana value is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner (unless that creature is copying something else; see below). If its mana cost includes
, X is considered to be 0. If it has no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it's an animated land, for example), its mana value is 0. Ignore any alternative costs or additional costs (such as kicker) paid when the creature was cast.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
A token has a mana value of 0, unless it is copying something else.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature is copying something else, its mana value is the mana value of whatever it's copying.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Timestream Navigator + Gravecrawler + Birthing Pod
- 1Activate Timestream Navigator by paying
, tapping it and putting it on the bottom of your library from the battlefield, causing you to take an extra turn after this one. - 2Activate Birthing Pod by paying
, tapping it and sacrificing Gravecrawler, causing you to search your library for Timestream Navigator and put it onto the battlefield. - 3Cast Gravecrawler from your graveyard by paying
. - 4Repeat each turn.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Birthing Pod
