Evoke is an ability found on some Magic: The Gathering creature cards that allows players to sacrifice the creature as it enters the battlefield in order to obtain an additional effect. Let us take an in-depth look at how evoke works and analyze some of the most impactful evoke creatures throughout Magic’s history.
How Evoke Works
As stated, evoke is an ability that players can activate as a creature enters the battlefield under their control. Instead of putting the creature onto the battlefield, the player sacrifices it and puts it into their graveyard. In exchange for sacrificing the creature, the player gains an additional effect detailed on the creature card.
The evoke cost is always less than the creature’s mana cost. Paying the evoke cost essentially allows players to “cheat” the creature onto the battlefield since they avoid paying its full mana cost. However, the evoke process sacrifices the creature, so it does not remain in play.
Some key points about evoke:
- It is an optional ability that a player can activate or ignore as a creature enters the battlefield under their control
- The evoke cost is always less than the creature’s mana cost
- Activating evoke sacrifices the creature and puts it into the graveyard instead of the battlefield
- In exchange for the sacrifice, additional effects are gained as detailed on the card
- Creatures with evoke can still be normally cast by paying their full mana cost
Now let us analyze some of the standout evoke creatures from Magic’s history and how their evoke abilities have impacted games.
Impactful Evoke Creatures Throughout Magic
1. Mulldrifter
Found in the Future Sight set, Mulldrifter is regarded as one of the best evoke creatures ever printed. For a discounted evoke cost of UU, it nets you a 2/2 flier and draws two cards – card advantage well worth the sacrifice. Its evoke ability has proved tremendously powerful in control and tempo strategies across multiple formats.
2. Griselbrand
The Lord of Innistrad, Griselbrand boasts a monstrous 7/7 body and the ability to draw seven cards for a discounted BBBBB evoke cost. While the downside is losing access to the creature body, this ability often single-handedly wins games through sheer card advantage. A nightmarish threat that exemplifies evoke’s ability to cheat significant effects onto the board.
3. Fauna Shaman
An early evoke creature printed in Kamigawa, Fauna Shaman lets players search their library for a basic land card for a discount W evoke cost. This effect comes with no sacrifice, making it one of the best evoke abilities in a control-oriented midrange deck looking to smooth out its mana. A format-staple in its day.
4. Akroma, Angel of Fury
Paying a discounted WUBRG evoke cost on Akroma nets players a devastating 6/6 flying, vigilant, haste creature with protection from colors. While the creature itself is sacrificed, the effect leaves behind an almost unstoppable threat. Its versatility and resilience against removal have made Akroma a long-standing all-star.
5. Glen Elendra Archmage
For UG, Glen Elendra Archmage gives players a 3/2 that draws them a card upon death. While the body gets removed, it replaces itself card-for-card in a blue-green control strategy – fantastic tempo and card advantage. Repeated recursion with animating artifacts makes Glen Elendra a table-warping factor for years.
6. Ravenous Chupacabra
A premiere evoke creature from Ixalan, Chupacabra can destroy any target creature for 1BG. The flexibility of answering opposing threats at instant speed for a slight evoke discount puts it among the premier removal options in creature-based strategies. Its evoke power still sees play across formats.
7. Bane of Bala Ged
In exchange for a discounted BR evoke cost, Bane of Bala Ged deals 4 damage to any target. While burned as a recurrable removal option in aggressive red strategies, its burst potential from hand to answer problem permanents likewise puts it on the all-star shortlist.
Benefits of Evoke Mechanic:
Some key benefits that the evoke mechanic provides:
- Card advantage – Many evoke abilities replace themselves by granting additional effects like card draw.
- Tempo – Playing under-costed effects grants the evoke player tempo advantages.
- Flexibility – Players can choose to play evoke creatures normally or use their abilities from hand for flexibility.
- Threat removal – Evoke creatures offer removal capabilities that answer opposing permanents.
- Board presence – Even without evoke, the base creatures still provide a board presence if played normally.
- Buildaround potential – Decks centered around recursion, flickering, and other strategies can extract repeat value from evoke triggers.
So in summary, evoke allows players to squeeze extra value from under-costed effects while maintaining flexibility through the option of regular casting as well. Its many upsides have cemented evoke as a staple and impactful Magic design mechanic.
Conclusion
As we have seen, evoke is a versatile mechanic that increases the efficiency of creature-based effects in Magic: The Gathering. Offering discounts, card advantage, removal and more, evoke abilities consistently provide surprising bang for each buck spent paying their alternative costs.
From staple role players like Mulldrifter and Fauna Shaman to nightmarish threats like Griselbrand and Akroma, some of Magic’s most impactful creatures utilize evoke. It remains a go-to design tool for Wizards to grant power and flexibility using sacrifice as a balancing restriction.
With advantages for aggressive, controlling and combo-based strategies alike, evoke has enduringly showcased its strategic depth and buildaround potential in Magic. Its place among the game’s best abilities remains secure for providing both power and puzzle-solving decisions in deck construction and gameplay. Going forward, expect many more evoke all-stars to enter the card pool and shape future formats.
