Propagator Primordium MTG Card


Clones creatures at instant speed, allowing flexible and surprising gameplay strategies with Propagator Primordium. Demands a precise mana mix and card discard, potentially limiting deck integration and resources. Despite costing more, Propagator Primordium’s versatility adapts well to various MTG deck strategies.
Propagator Primordium - Alchemy: Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Fungus
Abilities Conjure
Released2023-12-05
Set symbol
Set nameAlchemy: Ixalan
Set codeYLCI
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number20
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDaniel Romanovsky

Text of card

When Propagator Primordium enters the battlefield, conjure two cards named Propagator Primordium into your graveyard. At the beginning of your upkeep, put a spore counter on Propagator Primordium. Remove three spore counters from Propagator Primordium: Return target Fungus creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.


Cards like Propagator Primordium

Propagator Primordium stands as a unique creature in the vast landscape of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its distinctive ability to sacrifice itself and clone a nonlegendary creature on the battlefield provides strategic depth and potential for game-winning plays. When examining parallels, Clone is an evident reference. Clone offers the flexibility to enter the battlefield as any creature already present, which can be a legendary one as well—something Propagator Primordium cannot mimic.

Delving into the Simic guild, we come across Progenitor Mimic, a card that not only copies a creature but also conjures an additional token copy during each of your upkeeps. The Mimic, while more expensive mana-wise, confers recurring value unlike the single-use nature of Propagator Primordium. This illustrates the balance between immediate impact and long-term advantage that players must consider. We don’t have to look far for another comparison in Stunt Double, which mirrors much of Clone’s versatility but with the added benefit of being a flash spell, allowing for surprise plays during your opponent’s turn.

Each of these cards showcases the rich diversity and choices available to players aiming to leverage cloning mechanics in their MTG decks. Propagator Primordium holds its own among these alternatives by offering a cost-effective and recursive threat when the conditions are ripe.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Progenitor Mimic - MTG Card versions
Stunt Double - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Progenitor Mimic - MTG Card versions
Stunt Double - MTG Card versions

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River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
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Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Propagator Primordium. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green StompyMono-Green Stompy GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Gruul StompyGruul Stompy GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024
Selesnya MidrangeSelesnya Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 11 2024
Sultai Some Brand of CerealSultai Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024
Naya AggroNaya Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Four-color AggroFour-color Aggro GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Golgari AggroGolgari Aggro GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Propagator Primordium provides a distinct edge by potentially cloning creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects, giving you multiple opportunities to benefit from those abilities and thus overwhelming your opponent with additional threats or value.

Resource Acceleration: By allowing the copies to maintain their mana cost, this card serves as an engine for resource acceleration when combined with cost-reducing effects or further synergy with ramp strategies, paving the way for faster deployment of your game plan.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Propagator Primordium at instant speed offers an element of surprise and flexibility. It fits well into a strategy that requires meticulous timing, enabling you to react to board states effectively and optimize your creatures’ impact by choosing the most opportune moment for replication.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Propagator Primordium requires a card to be discarded, potentially depleting your hand and vital resources that could be crucial for upcoming plays.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement for its casting, which includes a green mana. This requirement may restrict the card’s inclusion to green-centric or multicolored decks, potentially excluding it from others.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a higher mana value, Propagator Primordium might be less appealing to players seeking more cost-effective creatures. This can influence its playability, especially in formats where speed and efficiency are paramount.


Reasons to Include Propagator Primordium in Your Collection

Versatility: Propagator Primordium easily adapts to various deck builds. Its ability to self-replicate provides consistent creature presence on the battlefield, benefiting strategies focused on creature numbers or sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique replication ability can be exploited in numerous combos, especially in decks that rely on enter the battlefield triggers or those that use creature tokens to empower their board states.

Meta-Relevance: With its low casting cost and replicable nature, Propagator Primordium can be a cost-efficient way to maintain board presence and can be particularly effective in metas where maintaining creature control is key to victory.


How to beat

Propagator Primordium presents a unique challenge in the world of MTG. Its ability to replicate itself may seem daunting at first, considering that each time it’s destroyed, it leaves behind a token that can grow into a new Primordium. However, this continuous cycle can be disrupted. To effectively handle this self-perpetuating threat, consider using exile effects which prevent the Propagator Primordium from leaving behind a token. Cards such as Path to Exile or Extirpate bypass the Primordium’s ability by removing it from the game entirely rather than destroying it.

Another strategy includes utilizing cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures, like Diabolic Edict. Since these don’t target or ‘destroy,’ Propagator’s ability does not trigger. Moreover, focusing on controlling the board with counterspells like Cancel or creature-based strategies can limit the Primordium’s impact. A proactive approach with cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can pre-empt the token generation altogether. Playing around Propagator Primordium requires foresight and careful card selection, but with the right tools and strategies, this persistent plant can be kept in check.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Propagator Primordium MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Ixalan, 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 Propagator Primordium and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Propagator Primordium has restrictions

FormatLegality
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal