Phyrexian IncubatorHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Phyrexian Incubator allows you to search your entire library for any number of cards that are either Phyrexians or have a Phyrexian back face (such as transforming double-faced cards). Once these cards are exiled, the artifact instructs you to 'incubate 2' for every card you exiled this way. This creates a series of 0/0 colorless Incubator artifact tokens, each with two +1/+1 counters, which can later be transformed into 2/2 Phyrexian artifact creatures.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you activate the ability by paying three mana, tapping the Incubator, and sacrificing it as a cost. Upon resolution, you search your library for the chosen cards and exile them all at once. Count the number of cards exiled; for each one, you create one Incubator token and put two +1/+1 counters on it. Finally, you shuffle your library to ensure the remaining cards are randomized.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that you cannot exile just any card; the card must explicitly have the 'Phyrexian' creature type or a back face that is Phyrexian. Additionally, players often forget that the Incubator tokens enter as 0/0 non-creature artifacts. They do not have haste and require an additional payment of two mana each to become creatures. If an effect prevents you from searching your library, the entire ability will fail to produce tokens.

When to Play It

This card is best used in the late game when you have excess mana to transform the tokens immediately. Because the cards are exiled from your library, it is also a way to 'thin' your deck, ensuring that your future draws are high-impact spells rather than the specific creatures you just turned into tokens. It is particularly effective after a board wipe when you need to rebuild your presence quickly.

Interaction examples

Mass Incubation

With five Phyrexian cards remaining in your library, you activate Phyrexian Incubator. You exile all five cards and create five separate Incubator tokens. Each token enters with two +1/+1 counters. You now have 10 power across five permanents waiting to be transformed for two mana each.

Mana Efficiency and Setup

Solemn Simulacrum

You play Solemn Simulacrum to fetch a basic land, ensuring you have the eight total mana needed to cast and immediately activate Phyrexian Incubator. While the Golem itself isn't a Phyrexian, it provides the ramp necessary to activate the Incubator's ability in a single turn, reducing the window for your opponents to destroy it.

Survival Tactics

The One Ring

After casting The One Ring to gain protection from everything, you are safe from attacks for a round. This gives you the perfect window to activate Phyrexian Incubator without fear of being killed on the backswing. You exile your Phyrexians and create tokens, then use the extra cards drawn from The One Ring to find the mana needed to transform your new army on the following turn.