Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Insect |
| Abilities | Flying,Mill,Transform |
| Released | 2016-04-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadows over Innistrad |
| Set code | SOI |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 49 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Text of card
Flying At the beginning of your upkeep, put the top card of your library into your graveyard. If it's an instant or sorcery card, transform Aberrant Researcher.
"Metamorphosis is a process." —Laboratory notes
Cards like Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form
Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form provides a unique transformative twist in the realm of MTG’s creature cards. Reminiscent of Delver of Secrets, a renowned one-drop creature card that evolves into Insectile Aberration, this card offers more muscle with its 3/2 and later 5/4 stat line once transformed. Unlike its one-drop predecessor which requires only a single instant or sorcery reveal to flip, the Aberrant Researcher demands a more patient approach, transforming only at the next upkeep after an instant or sorcery card lands in your graveyard from your library.
Yet, where Aberrant Researcher truly differs is in its larger initial stats and flying ability, presenting a substantial threat even before it transforms. In similar company is Docent of Perfection, another card that evolves, but this time into a creature-production engine that conjures Wizard tokens. Docent boasts a direct pathway to transforming compared to the draw-and-discard setup of the Researcher. However, the Researcher takes the advantage when it comes to synergy with graveyard-focused strategies.
When it comes down to it, Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form stands out with its adaptability in a variety of decks, striking a balance between aggressive early plays and a fearsome mid-game presence.
Cards similar to Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you transform Aberrant Researcher into Perfected Form, you get a flying creature that can potentially draw you an additional card each turn. This consistent source of new cards can quickly tip the scales in your favor during a match.
Resource Acceleration: As a 3/2 flyer in its initial state, Aberrant Researcher already poses a threat in the air. After transforming into Perfected Form, its increased 5/4 power and toughness means you get a beefier attacker that can close out games faster and outpace your opponent’s resources.
Instant Speed: The card’s transformation trigger occurs at the beginning of your upkeep, providing a surprise element if you’ve set up your graveyard with a sorcery during the last turn. Its ability to flip outside of the main phases allows for uninterrupted play and the potential to exploit favorable board states at unexpected times.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The transformation of Aberrant Researcher into its Perfected Form is contingent upon routinely discarding a card. This process can be disrupting if your hand is already scant, forcing you to forfeit potentially valuable cards that may have been crucial for upcoming strategies. The necessity to discard can leave players at a considerable disadvantage in long-drawn games where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Aberrant Researcher requires a precise blend of mana, including both blue and generic mana. This can be restricting for decks that are mana-flexible or those with a mana base that isn’t reliably producing the necessary colors. Decks not deeply rooted in blue might find it challenging to meet the casting requirements consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Aberrant Researcher’s impact on the game should be balanced against its investment. For some decks, there are alternatives that may better advance the board state or offer card advantage with a lower mana investment. This makes the card’s cost a consideration when building a deck, as there may be more mana-efficient creatures or spells that could be slotted into play instead.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form is an adaptable creature card that can be a key player in various deck archetypes. As it transforms from a Human Insect into an Eldrazi Insect, it offers deck builders an evolving threat that is both a skilled flyer and a potent late-game force.
Combo Potential: With its ability to transform into Perfected Form by simply drawing an extra card each turn, it synergizes well with strategies focused on card draw or self-milling. This can activate potent combos with cards designed to benefit from or enable transformations.
Meta-Relevance: Its relevance in the meta can be significant, providing a resilient creature that demands an answer. Given the right interactions, especially in decks built to exploit its transformative nature, it can be a formidable asset against a variety of opponents.
How to beat
The Aberrant Researcher is a versatile card in the world of MTG, initially presenting itself as a modest 3/2 flyer that can transform into the formidable Perfected Form, a 5/4 flying creature. To prevent this transformation, a strategic approach is crucial. Targeted removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently deal with the Researcher before it flips, bypassing the need to confront the enhanced Perfected Form.
Counterspells also play a pivotal role in handling the Aberrant Researcher. By countering it upon casting, you avoid the looming threat altogether. However, should the Researcher transform, having instant-speed removal is essential. Cards like Murderous Cut or the flexible Abrupt Decay grant you the power to eliminate the Perfected Form before it can exert its dominance over the game.
Therefore, maintaining control of the board and being prepared with the right removal or counter spells in your deck is the key to overcoming the challenge posed by the Aberrant Researcher and its Perfected Form evolution. Success hinges on readiness and the ability to act swiftly, ensuring the Researcher’s research ends abruptly, keeping its dark secrets from coming to fruition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | If a replacement effect causes the top card of your library to go to a zone other than your graveyard, Aberrant Researcher will still transform if that card was an instant or sorcery card. |
| 2016-04-08 | No player may take any action between the two steps of Aberrant Researcher's triggered ability. If the card put into your graveyard is an instant or sorcery card, Aberrant Researcher will have transformed before a player can take any action. |
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |