Chimeric Egg MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2004-02-06 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Darksteel |
| Set code | DST |
| Number | 106 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Michael Sutfin |
Text of card
Whenever an opponent plays a nonartifact spell, put a charge counter on Chimeric Egg. Remove three charge counters from Chimeric Egg: Chimeric Egg becomes a 6/6 artifact creature with trample until end of turn.
Cards like Chimeric Egg
Chimeric Egg, a versatile addition to creature arsenals in Magic: The Gathering, shares several features with other transformational cards like Rukh Egg. Both begin as fairly innocuous objects, yet they possess the potential to morph into a more formidable presence on the battlefield. While Rukh Egg converts into a creature upon destruction, Chimeric Egg’s transformation is more directly under the player’s control, requiring mana investment to unleash its power.
Similarly, we can look to cards like Toolcraft Exemplar, which also grows stronger based on certain conditions being met, namely the control of artifacts. However, Chimeric Egg offers a distinct path, transforming regardless of the artifacts’ presence, provided mana is available. The comparison extends to Guardian Idol, an artifact that can become a creature. Like the Egg, it requires activation, yet its change is more temporary and less reliant on external game state factors than Chimeric Egg’s evolution.
When evaluating the unique attributes of creature transformation in the game, Chimeric Egg holds its own with an interesting capability for metamorphosis, controlled by player choice and mana resources, distinguishing it within Magic: The Gathering’s array of transformative cards.
Cards similar to Chimeric Egg by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Chimeric Egg rewards you for playing other spells by accruing counters that eventually hatch into a powerful creature card. This grafts a valuable two-for-one benefit into your deck, consistently offering more utility and battlefield presence for the price of one.
Resource Acceleration: Through its unique ability to accumulate counters and evolve over time, the Chimeric Egg can turn the tide by rapidly advancing your in-game resources. Each spell cast not only moves you closer to summoning a formidable creature but does so while efficiently utilizing your existing mana.
Instant Speed: The adaptability of being able to crack the Egg at instant speed means that you’re never locked into a specific course of action. You can react to the flux of the game, choosing the optimal moment to unleash the creature lying dormant within the Egg, keeping your opponents constantly on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Chimeric Egg necessitates removing a card from your hand, which can be detrimental during the late game or in situations where maximizing hand size is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Activation demands a precise blend of mana, which may not synergize with decks that are mana-color diverse or that operate under a stringent mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Chimeric Egg’s mana cost signifies a significant early game investment, and its payoff might not align with the tempo of aggressive strategies, particularly when lower-cost alternatives are available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Chimeric Egg is a card that can adapt to various deck builds, seamlessly fitting into strategies that thrive on incremental advantage or those that manipulate counters for beneficial effects.
Combo Potential: This unique card has synergy with mechanics that involve charge counters, thereby allowing for interesting combination plays that can be unexpectedly powerful within the right deck.
Meta-Relevance: Given the shifting dynamics of the MTG landscape, Chimeric Egg has potential to be a sleeper hit if the meta favors long-term, engine-based strategies that can capitalize on its scaling power.
How to beat
Chimeric Egg presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield. This artifact card grows in power with each spell you cast, eventually transforming it into a formidable creature. Despite its potential, overcoming Chimeric Egg requires strategic play. Direct artifact removal spells, like Disenchant or Abrade, can quickly dismantle the Egg before it becomes a threat. Also, countering key spells with cards like Counterspell or Mana Leak can stop the accumulation of counters on the Egg, delaying its transformation.
Another effective strategy is to limit your own spell casting to avoid feeding its power. Instead, rely on creatures and permanent effects to stave off its growth. Utilizing exile effects with cards such as Oblivion Ring or Path to Exile can also bypass the Egg’s defense, ensuring it never hatches into a challenge. Thus, while Chimeric Egg has the potential to become a powerhouse, proper anticipation and response can ensure it never reaches its full potential.
Ultimately, the key to defeating Chimeric Egg lies in proactive control and disrupting your opponent’s flow. A mix of removal, counter spells, and strategic play will keep the Egg from ever posing a real threat, maintaining your dominance over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chimeric Egg MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Chimeric Egg 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chimeric Egg has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chimeric Egg card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature. |