Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Mechanic Spotlights & Keyword Counters Revealed

Today, Wizards of the Coast revealed the crazy new Magic: The Gathering mechanics for Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, and they are Companion, Mutate, and Keyword Counters. Although they've explained how each mechanic works during the livestream on Twitch.tv/magic, they didn't have time to provide a fuller explanation, but they released a couple of Mechanic Spotlight videos for Mutate and Companion.

Check them out below:

Mutate

Companion

Wizards also revealed the punch-out keyword counters from Ikoria, which includes counters for Menace, First Strike, Hexproof, Lifelink, +1+1, Reach, Flying, Trample, Deathtouch, and Vigilance. Check out the counters:

Credit: Wizards of the Coast

"More than one of the same counter provides no additional benefit," Wizards explained. "Note that if these counters end up on a noncreature permanent, it won't necessarily apply right away, but it will if the permanent becomes a creature. (The exceptions here are deathtouch and lifelink, which work even if they end up on a noncreature permanent, provided that noncreature permanent can deal damage somehow.)"

Here's an example of an Ikoria card that gives a keyword counter:

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths is officially scheduled to be released on May 15 (rescheduled release day).

Related: Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths MTG Card Name Changed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic