Metastatic EvangelHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding the Trigger

Metastatic Evangel features a triggered ability that occurs whenever another nontoken creature you control enters the battlefield. It is important to note that tokens will not trigger this ability; only actual creature cards or copies of permanent spells that resolve as nontoken creatures will work. Once the trigger resolves, you Proliferate, which allows you to select any number of players or permanents that already have counters and add one more of each type to them.

The Proliferation Process

When the Proliferate ability resolves, you look at all players and all permanents on the battlefield. You can choose any number of them that already possess at least one counter. If you choose a target that has multiple types of counters—such as a +1/+1 counter and a Shield counter—you must add one of each kind. You cannot pick and choose which specific counters to add; it is all or nothing for that specific permanent or player.

Timing and Responses

The ability triggers and goes on the stack as soon as the nontoken creature enters. Players can respond to this trigger by casting spells or activating abilities. However, once you begin to resolve the Proliferate effect and start choosing which permanents or players receive counters, it is too late for anyone to take action. The choices are made during resolution, meaning opponents must act before they know exactly which targets you will choose to buff.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is trying to Proliferate counters on cards that are not on the battlefield, such as suspended cards in exile or cards with experience counters in the command zone. Proliferate only affects players and permanents currently on the battlefield. Additionally, remember that you cannot choose to Proliferate a permanent that has no counters on it in hopes of adding one; the counter must already be present to be duplicated.

Interaction examples

Taxing with Esper Sentinel

Esper Sentinel

If you control Metastatic Evangel and a 1/1 Esper Sentinel with a +1/+1 counter on it, casting another nontoken creature will trigger the Evangel. When the trigger resolves, you choose the Esper Sentinel to Proliferate. It now has two +1/+1 counters, effectively increasing the tax your opponent must pay for their first noncreature spell from {1} to {2}.

Fixing Mana and Growing Wide

Ornithopter of Paradise

Imagine you have Metastatic Evangel and a creature with a +1/+1 counter. You cast Ornithopter of Paradise. Since the Ornithopter is a nontoken creature, Metastatic Evangel triggers. Even though the Ornithopter itself doesn't have counters, its entry allows you to add another counter to your other creature, growing your board while developing your mana base.