Magic: The Gathering - What Is Start Your Engines?

Get ready for the Ghirapur Grand Prix, Magic: The Gathering's first multi-planar race! A single-eyed homunculus shouts, "Racers, start your engines!"

This high-octane race introduces a new mechanic: "Start your engines!" and the speed tracker. Learn how to accelerate, outmaneuver opponents, and harness the power of speed.

Understanding "Start Your Engines"

"Start your engines!" is a keyword ability (first seen in Aetherdrift, distinct from the Kaladesh card of the same name). When a permanent with this ability enters the battlefield under your control, you gain one speed.

Speed is a persistent player trait. All players begin with zero speed, gaining it only upon controlling a "Start your engines!" permanent. You increase your speed by one each turn when an opponent loses life (even from effects you don't control). Speed maxes out at four, triggering powerful abilities on many "Start your engines!" permanents.

Speed isn't tracked with counters; it's unaffected by effects like proliferate or Solemnity.

Mastering the Mechanic

While themed around speed, "Start your engines!" isn't a quick win outside limited formats. Most effects care about maximum speed (four). Others offer increasing benefits based on your current speed. Point the Way, for example, lets you find basic lands equal to your speed.

To maximize card efficiency, aim for max speed early. Ideally, play a "Start your engines!" card on turn one and reach max speed by turn three. Note that the speed-increasing ability isn't triggered when you initially gain speed, allowing for same-turn combos.

Top "Start Your Engines!" Cards

From the dozens of "Start your engines!" cards, here are some standouts:

Vnwxt, Verbose Host

This two-mana creature empties your hand, starts your engine, and boasts four toughness. At max speed, it doubles your card draw. A versatile addition to many blue decks.

Howlsquad Heavy

This Goblin powerhouse gives your Goblins haste, creates 1/1 Goblins during your attack phases, and at max speed, generates red mana equal to the number of Goblins you control. A Goblin deck staple.

The Speed Demon

Despite its five-mana cost, this card benefits even before max speed, drawing cards and costing life equal to your speed. A strong inclusion if you have life gain or a higher life total.

Mendicant Core, Guidelight

This inexpensive artifact synergizes well with other artifacts, gaining power with each artifact you control and allowing you to copy artifacts you play. Excellent for duplicating powerful artifacts.

Perilous Snare

This artifact removal exiles nonland permanents and buffs your creatures. A unique and versatile card.

The above is the detailed content of Magic: The Gathering - What Is Start Your Engines?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!