Chromium MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 224
1995-07-01 - Number 74
2009-09-07 - Number 147
2019-12-02 - Number 1068
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon |
| Abilities | Flying,Rampage |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Flying, Rampage: 2 Pay o Bo Uo W during your upkeep or Chromium is buried.
Cards like Chromium
Chromium, the Mutable, stands out as a unique multicolor creature in the annals of MTG. It shares similarities with cards like Nicol Bolas, the Ravager, which also flips into a powerful planeswalker. However, Chromium’s ability to become uncounterable and gain hexproof sets it apart, offering a defensive latitude that Nicol Bolas doesn’t possess. This feature is pivotal for players seeking to maintain a late-game presence.
Considering its Elder Dragon kin, Palladia-Mors, the Ruiner offers comparable heft on the battlefield with evasion and protective abilities. Yet, again, Chromium’s flexibility shines through with its one-turn hexproof transformation—thereby resisting spot removal in a way Palladia-Mors simply cannot. Despite Palladia-Mors’ additional combat prowess, Chromium’s defensive tools often prove invaluable.
Delving into the realm of control and versatility, we find Dragonlord Ojutai. Similar to Chromium, Ojutai presents card advantage and defensive capacities. While Ojutai requires a successful combat damage strike for its card drawing ability, Chromium provides a more direct route with its discard-triggered transformation, guaranteeing a resilient board state irrespective of combat outcomes.
Chromium’s versatility and protection options position it favorably among its legendary dragon counterparts. While other creatures offer potent alternatives, the tactical edge Chromium brings to MTG is undeniably distinctive.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Chromium, the Mutable stands out in providing card advantage by transforming into a 1/1 human with hexproof, avoiding targeted removal and allowing you to preserve your key creature in a heated match.
Resource Acceleration: With Chromium’s high casting cost, having this card on the battlefield demonstrates substantial resource acceleration, reflecting an advanced mana base able to summon one of MTG’s elder dragons.
Instant Speed: Chromium’s ability to become a 1/1 human with hexproof and unblockable at instant speed not only catches opponents off-guard but also allows strategic depth for players, making it a versatile threat that can adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Chromium requires you to discard a card to transform it into a Human Rogue with hexproof. This can be burdensome, especially when your hand is already depleted or the card in hand is critical to your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Having an exact mana cost that includes one of each color in Esper (white, blue, black), this legendary creature’s casting flexibility is hindered, often necessitating a dedicated three-color deck or a mana base that can reliably produce each of these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting Chromium demands a significant investment of seven mana, which can be quite demanding. In games that prioritize speed or efficiency, the expense of bringing this Elder Dragon into play might be too great, leaving players trailing behind their opponents who are utilizing lower-cost creatures to establish dominance on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Chromium, the Mutable is a flexible addition that can seamlessly slot into control, Voltron, or even commander-focused decks thanks to its flash ability, enabling surprise deployment and evasion capabilities.
Combo Potential: Given Chromium’s ability to become unblockable when turning into a Human with no abilities, it opens up unique combinations with equipment and auras, or with cards that benefit from dealing combat damage to a player.
Meta-Relevance: In metas heavy with targeted removal, Chromium’s discard ability to gain hexproof makes it a resilient threat. Its versatility ensures it can adapt and respond effectively to a broad range of popular strategies.
How to beat
Chromium, the Mutable, presents a unique challenge for players in MTG. This legendary dragon, renowned for its power and resilience, can become a major obstacle on the battlefield. Its true strength lies in its ability to transform into a Human with Hexproof, avoiding spells and abilities your opponents control. To outmaneuver Chromium, it’s essential to anticipate this transformation. Board wipes such as Wrath of God, which don’t target and can bypass Hexproof, are effective tools to clear the board including Chromium.
Alternatively, countering Chromium when it’s cast is another strategic avenue. Using counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak ensures Chromium never touches the field, preventing its formidable abilities from ever coming into play. Moreover, exploiting periods when Chromium is not in its Hexproof form can be advantageous. Instant removal spells timed right before or during the transformation can snatch the mighty dragon away. Lastly, manipulating combat with cards like Settle the Wreckage leads to an unexpected end for an attacking Chromium.
Understanding and adapting to Chromium’s shifting nature is key. Timely removal, strategic countering, and navigating around its Hexproof ability will tilt the scales in your favor in the high-stakes duels of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chromium MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Chromium 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
Printings
The Chromium Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 224 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 74 | 1993 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 3 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 147 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 4 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1068 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lisa Heidhoff |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chromium has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |