Aether Mutation MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 91
2014-06-16 - Number 241
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Return target creature to its owner's hand. Put X 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens into play, where X is its converted mana cost.
Cards like Aether Mutation
Aether Mutation is a unique spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other creature bounce and token generation cards yet distinct in its execution. Like Aether Mutation, Capsize offers the ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand, providing a control element. However, Aether Mutation goes further by generating a number of 1/1 creature tokens equal to the returned creature’s converted mana cost, a feature Capsize lacks.
Another peer in this domain is Cackling Counterpart, which shares the token generation theme but focuses on creating a token copy of a creature you control. Aether Mutation doesn’t copy creatures but instead provides a potentially substantial number of fresh tokens, reinforcing your field presence. Hornet Queen stands as a related creature card, entering the battlefield with a swarm of 1/1 flying deathtouch insect tokens. While Hornet Queen brings guaranteed insect might, Aether Mutation’s versatility and potential token quantity can offer a broader strategic advantage.
Evaluating the assortment of MTG options, Aether Mutation presents a compelling blend of creature control and scalability with its token production—an amalgamation that can sway the momentum of a game in ways quite distinct from similar cards in the ecosystem.
Cards similar to Aether Mutation by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aether Mutation comes into play by providing a significant card advantage. By returning a target creature to its owner’s hand and creating Saprolings, you effectively gain multiple creatures while disrupting your opponent’s board, consolidating both an offensive and defensive advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Each Saproling token Aether Mutation creates can be vital for resource acceleration. They not only strengthen your defenses but also can be utilized as additional mana sources with cards that tap creatures for mana or sacrifice them for an increase in your resources.
Instant Speed: Despite Aether Mutation being a sorcery, its effects are powerful enough to rival those of instant-speed spells. By carefully timing its use, you can maximize the potential saproling generation, turning a potential loss of tempo into a board-presence powerhouse, all while keeping pace with the dynamic state of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Aether Mutation doesn’t explicitly require discarding cards, it’s important to be mindful of what is being returned to hand, as it could potentially force a discard if you’re at hand size limit during the cleanup step.
Specific Mana Cost: Aether Mutation requires both green and blue mana, necessitating a deck that supports Simic colors, which can be restrictive when deck building or if you’re facing a mana shortage in-game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of five mana, including two specific color types, Aether Mutation is a costly investment, and there may be alternative spells that can create creature tokens or bounce creatures at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Aether Mutation offers flexibility as it finds a home in decks focusing on creature control or mass token generation. This card can be an excellent addition for strategies that value both removal and the creation of creature tokens as a means to establish board presence.
Combo Potential: With its ability to produce a number of Saproling tokens equal to the removed creature’s power, Aether Mutation has synergy with decks that thrive on using creature tokens to fuel sacrificial mechanics or amplify the effects of cards that scale with creature count.
Meta-Relevance: In a competitive landscape where large, powerful creatures dominate, Aether Mutation serves as an effective control piece that not only deals with threats but also leaves a trail of tokens behind that can be critical in maintaining board advantage against numerous foes.
How to beat Aether Mutation
Aether Mutation offers players a remarkable way to deal with creatures by returning them to their owner’s hand while simultaneously creating a number of Saproling tokens. This card requires a strategic approach to counter effectively in Magic: The Gathering. Unlike other removal spells that outright destroy or exile creatures, Aether Mutation’s reset button can be used against you if the creature has a powerful enter-the-battlefield effect. This is where instant-speed removals, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, prove to be superior by preventing re-use of these abilities.
Counterspells can also disrupt Aether Mutation’s tempo swing by preventing it from resolving entirely. Given that it’s played at sorcery speed, having mana open for Spell Pierce or Negate can keep your creatures safe and your opponent’s board development in check. Additionally, leveraging graveyard manipulation such as Scavenging Ooze or Relic of Progenitus can counteract the potential of creatures returning from the graveyard after being bounced back to the hand.
In essence, managing Aether Mutation is about preemptive actions and keeping an eye on your opponent’s mana. Quick removal or denial via counterspell can help retain control of the battlefield and prevent the surge of tokens that Aether Mutation is known for.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aether Mutation MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Vintage Masters, 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 Aether Mutation and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Aether Mutation Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 91 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 241 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aether Mutation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aether Mutation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You only put the tokens onto the battlefield if the target creature is still a legal target on resolution. |