MTG Backup Explained – What It Is, And How It Works

March of the Machine is in full swing and we have seen quite a bit of spoilers already. As with any new set, brand-new mechanics are being introduced and MOM the machine hasn’t disappointed in this department. One of the new keyword abilities is “Backup” and it’s the topic of today’s article. Like most things in MTG, backup is simple on the surface but complex at times. So, let’s start with a general definition of what backup is and then move into how it works.

When a creature with backup enters the battlefield, you put a +1/+1 counter on a creature. If that’s another creature, it gains the abilities preceding the backup text, until the end of turn. So, when a creature giving backup enters the battlefield if you put the counters on another creature, that creature would gain whatever other abilities are on that creature for a turn.

If you’ve still got questions about the new ability, worry not. We’ll go over it more in-depth below, as well as look at some examples, and show all the current spoilers with the ability. Lastly, I’d like to go over a few cool ways to use it in actual gameplay.

How Does Backup Work In MTG?

Backup has a number that follows. So, for example, “backup 1” or “backup 2”. Whenever a creature with backup enters the battlefield you’ll put a number of +1/+1 counters onto a creature equal to the value. If it’s back 1, you’d put one +1/+1 counter… If it was backup 2, you’d put two.

You can put the counters onto the creature with backup. So, let’s say you cast Enduring Bondwarden and you don’t have another creature in play – The bondwarden could put the counter on itself. However, anytime you put the counters on another creature that creature will gain all other abilities underneath the backup text until the end of turn.

Here is a look at two cards from MOM that show the ability. Looking at physical cards is a good way to get a feel for what backup looks like in a game of MTG. Let’s say you have a Lyra Dawnbringer in play and then cast Cragmasher Yeti. When it enters the battlefield you could put two +1/+1 counters on either Lyra or the Cramasher. If you were to choose Lyra, it would gain Trample until the end of the turn as well as the two counters.

How Good Is Backup?

There are a few key things to take into consideration when answering this question. I like the fact that you can always put the counters on the creature itself. This helps to ensure that you’re always getting some value from the ability even if you don’t have any other creatures out.

Obviously, the ability will excel in decks that have +1/+1 counter strategies just because they contribute to the overall game plan. I’m sure some of the more powerful backup cards will find homes in EDH decks like Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice, and The Swarmlord. Or perhaps even in other formats where Hardened Scales, WInding Constrictor, and The Ozolith see play.

The next thing to consider is the ability sharing portion of backup. Looking at the cards we’ve seen so far, I think the abilities of Archpriest of Shadows, Mirror-Style Master, Boon-Bringer Valkyrie, Bright-Palm Soul Awakener, Doomscar Warrior, Guardin Scalelord, and Voldaren Thrillseeker are fairly good.

Overall, I would say the bulk of the backup cards will miss play in most constructed formats. I think some will find homes in Commander and the archetype will be playable in W, G, R decks in the limited environment. Given the number of proliferation spells in Standard at the moment maybe a +1/+1 counter strategy would be viable there as well. That said, the set isn’t fully spoiled yet and there may be more powerful pieces to come… Only time will tell.

What Other Cards & Abilities Work Well With Backup?

Let’s have a look at a few other abilities that work well with backup.

Proliferate

As mentioned directly above, the proliferate mechanic is your best friend if you’re looking to build your next MTG deck around backup. Any time you cast a spell that allows you to proliferate, you’ll get to put another +1/+1 counter on each of your creatures that already have one.

Proliferate is very powerful because can affect so many permanents at once. With even a few creatures on board with counters a simple spell like Contentious Plan (which is replacing itself with another card can greatly bolster your creatures. Not to mention any other counters you have on your lands, enchantments, artifacts, battles, Planeswalkers, or opponents.

“Modified Creature” payoffs

Modified isn’t exactly an ability by itself but if you are building around backup (or any other counter-based ability for that matter) you’ll want to check it out. Overall, cards that care about modified creatures reward for having creatures that have been augmented in some way – That includes enchanting them, equipping them, or giving them a counter of some kind.

So, any of your creatures that have received +1/+1 counters via backup will benefit greatly from/greatly benefit cards like these:

You can find a list of all the cards that mention modified creatures here.

Lore & Flavor Perspective

While I don’t think any of these cards will be getting banned or making their way into top-tier decks, I do think they’re cool. From a lore/flavor perspective, they work very well and do so while fitting nicely with gameplay. The multiverse is at war in March of the Machine this mechanic shows (mainly the heroes) helping each other out in combat.

They come down and bolster up their companions some, which is cool. Even aside from the counters, if they’re supporting someone other than themselves they will also share their other abilities. Not only is this awesome from a lore point of view – to give all the help you possibly can when you enter the battlefield but it also makes the mechanic infinitely more interesting from a gameplay point of view.

You’ll always need to choose where you want the counters to go and I like that. It’s fun to have mechanics that don’t play the same exact way every time. I can foresee games of Sealed where you’ll have to sit back and say “If I put the counter here, I can share abilities… But if I put it on my backup creature instead it would be large enough to block an opposing attacker and live” and I like that.

Card Gallery

Honorable Mention

This card doesn’t actually have backup but it mentions and supports the ability so I wanted to mention it as well. The effect on the hoplite here is quite good. If you’re going to build around the mechanic at all, make sure to have a few copies of this present if possible.

End Step

March of the Machine is shaping up to be an amazing set – The storyline and lore are the best we’ve seen in quite a long time and the cards are looking equally as good. I hope you walk away from today’s article with a better idea of how the newest mechanic to make its way into MTG works. Now, get out there and figure out the best way to build around it.