Progenitor Mimic MTG Card


Generates ongoing card advantage by cloning creatures, ramping up pressure each upkeep. Diverse functionality across various decks, contributing to substantial board presence without additional cost. A versatile addition to any collection, given its ability to adapt and potent combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Shapeshifter
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

You may have Progenitor Mimic enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the battlefield except it gains "At the beginning of your upkeep, if this creature isn't a token, put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of this creature."


Cards like Progenitor Mimic

Progenitor Mimic stands out as a creative choice in the array of creature-copying effects in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards such as Clone, a classic that lets you enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature already present. Yet, Progenitor Mimic adds a twist with its ability to not only copy but also to create token copies of that creature at each of your upkeep steps.

Comparatively, Followed Footsteps has a similar recurring clone effect, though it adheres to enchanting a creature and replicates it at your upkeep. However, Progenitor Mimic offers more flexibility being a creature itself with the power to choose different targets when it enters the battlefield if it was cast again. There’s also Rite of Replication which can kick things up a notch by creating five copies, but this is a one-time event and doesn’t provide the persistent board presence that Progenitor Mimic guarantees.

Ultimately, Progenitor Mimic’s unique blend of cloning and enduring token generation carves a niche for itself, earning a spot alongside the top echelon of blue and green’s creature manipulation spells.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Followed Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Rite of Replication - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Followed Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Rite of Replication - MTG Card versions

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Trapjaw Kelpie - MTG Card versions
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Sagu Mauler - MTG Card versions
Scuttlegator - MTG Card versions
Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait - MTG Card versions
Euroakus - MTG Card versions
Skanos, Blue Dragon Vassal - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the ability to create a copy of any creature on the battlefield at the beginning of each upkeep, Progenitor Mimic not only potentially doubles your creature’s presence but also offers an ever-growing advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: This unique ability offers a form of resource acceleration not through mana but through sheer creature output. With each token created, players effectively save on casting costs for potentially powerful creatures, enabling substantial board presence expansion without further investment.

Instant Speed: While Progenitor Mimic itself does not operate at instant speed, the flexibility it provides enables players to adapt their strategy reactively. As new tokens are created, options for blocking, attacking, and synergies with other cards are offered on each of your upkeeps, closely mimicking the adaptiveness of instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Despite Progenitor Mimic’s potential for creating numerous copies of a creature, players must be aware that in exchange for this power, they are required to have the creature on the battlefield to clone. This means if a player’s hand is empty or their creatures are already stretched thin, Progenitor Mimic might sit idly in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Progenitor Mimic has a demanding mana cost that necessitates two green and one blue mana. This specificity can be a stumbling block for players not running a deck with a strong base in both of these colours, limiting its versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana to cast, Progenitor Mimic’s cost is on the higher end, making it a late-game play. Players might find themselves in situations where deploying this card comes too late to swing the game, especially against decks that operate at a faster pace or have established board control.


Reasons to Include Progenitor Mimic in Your Collection

Versatility: Progenitor Mimic offers unparalleled flexibility as it can copy any creature on the battlefield, offering a strategy that adapts to a wide range of situations. This adaptability secures a spot for Progenitor Mimic in various deck archetypes, supportive of multitudinous board states.

Combo Potential: The value this card brings to the table grows exponentially when combined with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects or those with powerful ongoing abilities. Its ability to create a token copy of a creature at each of your upkeeps can quickly turn the tides of the game, making it a linchpin in many combo-driven decks.

Meta-Relevance: With constantly shifting metas, Progenitor Mimic maintains its relevance by adapting to dominant threats or strategies. It fits well in a meta filled with high-value creature targets, where it can become an indispensable tool for gaining incremental advantages each turn, potentially spiraling into game-winning scenarios.


How to Beat

Progenitor Mimic is an intriguing card in the MTG universe, known for its capability to become a copy of any creature on the battlefield at the beginning of your upkeep. This not only creates a clone of the creature but if the original creature had any counters on it or was buffed in another manner, Progenitor Mimic also copies those enhancements. This can quickly lead to overwhelming situations where you face an ever-growing army of powerful clones that can spiral out of control if not addressed promptly.

To effectively counter Progenitor Mimic, instant-speed removal spells are key. Removing the original creature that is being copied can disrupt the Mimic’s value train. Countermagic is also highly effective, as it prevents the Mimic from hitting the board in the first place. Additionally, board wipes can reset the board, leaving the Mimic without a target. Enchantment removal spells can also be quite valuable in dealing with the Mimic if it’s copying a creature with powerful enchantments. Lastly, maintaining a faster pace and pressure on your opponent can prevent them from reaching the mana needed to cast Progenitor Mimic, rendering it a non-issue.

Being prepared with a versatile suite of answers and a proactive game plan is essential in overcoming the daunting presence of Progenitor Mimic on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the world of MTG is a thrilling journey filled with strategic planning and intriguing card interactions. Progenitor Mimic, with its ability to clone creatures and accrue card advantages, promises to add depth to your gameplay. Whether it’s expanding your board presence or finding new synergies, this card may very well be the keystone you’ve been looking for. We encourage you to seek out this unique card and consider the endless possibilities it can bring to your deck’s dynamics. Expand your collection and elevate your strategy by incorporating Progenitor Mimic. Visit BurnMana to explore further and discover the full potential of your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Progenitor Mimic MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Commander 2016, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Progenitor Mimic and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Progenitor Mimic Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Daarken.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 922003NormalBlackDaarken
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2162015NormalBlackDaarken
32019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 1232015NormalBlackDaarken
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2122015NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Progenitor Mimic has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Progenitor Mimic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-04-15 Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Progenitor Mimic enters the battlefield. Any “as
-his creature] enters the battlefield” or “
-his creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
2013-04-15 If Progenitor Mimic somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, it can't become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that's already on the battlefield.
2013-04-15 If the chosen creature has in its mana cost (such as Protean Hydra), X is considered to be zero.
2013-04-15 If the chosen creature is a token, Progenitor Mimic copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that put it onto the battlefield. Copying a token doesn't make Progenitor Mimic become a token.
2013-04-15 If you choose to have Progenitor Mimic enter the battlefield as a copy of a creature, the triggered ability it gains will become part of its copiable values. For example, suppose Progenitor Mimic enters the battlefield as a copy of Runeclaw Bear, a 2/2 green Bear creature with mana cost . The resulting object is a 2/2 green Bear creature named Runeclaw Bear with mana cost and with “At the beginning of your upkeep, if this creature isn't a token, put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of this creature.” If another Progenitor Mimic enters the battlefield as a copy of that creature, it will be a Runeclaw Bear with two instances of the triggered ability.
2013-04-15 Progenitor Mimic copies exactly what was printed on the original creature and nothing more (unless that creature is copying something else or is a token). It doesn't copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
2013-04-15 The original Progenitor Mimic will create tokens, but those token copies will not.
2013-04-15 You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Progenitor Mimic enters the battlefield as a 0/0 Shapeshifter creature and is probably put into the graveyard immediately.