Otrimi, the Ever-Playful MTG Card


Otrimi, the Ever-Playful - Commander 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Nightmare Beast
Abilities Mutate,Trample
Released2020-04-17
Set symbol
Set nameCommander 2020
Set codeC20
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number12
Frame2015
Layoutmutate
Borderblack
Illustred byVictor Adame Minguez

Key Takeaways

  1. Otrimi offers recurring card advantage, returning mutate creatures from the graveyard after combat damage.
  2. Its mutate cost is an indirect acceleration strategy, deploying powerful creatures economically.
  3. Instant speed mutates with Otrimi enhance adaptability and unpredictability during games.

Text of card

Mutate (If you cast this spell for its mutate cost, put it over or under target non-Human creature you own. They mutate into the creature on top plus all abilities from under it.) Trample Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, return target creature card with mutate from your graveyard to your hand.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Otrimi, the Ever-Playful allows players to potentially return a creature card with mutate from their graveyard to their hand whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This can be a strong recurring source of card advantage as you’re effectively drawing a card that can be played again for its mutate cost.

Resource Acceleration: While Otrimi doesn’t directly generate resources like mana, its mutate ability can be viewed as a form of acceleration. By paying the mutate cost, which is often lower than the creature’s casting cost, you’re indirectly accelerating your available resources, using less mana to field more powerful creatures.

Instant Speed: Although Otrimi itself isn’t an instant, the creatures that it allows you to return to your hand can be mutated at instant speed, assuming they have this capability. This flexibility lets you adapt to evolving board situations, maintaining a dynamic and threatening presence during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Otrimi the Ever-Playful necessitates the returning of a creature with mutate from your graveyard to your hand whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This effect could backfire when your graveyard is lacking in mutable targets, potentially limiting the card’s utility.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes specific colors (black, green, and blue), it is vital to build your deck with a manabase that can support such requirements, which may restrict deck-building options outside of the Sultai color combination.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Otrimi comes with a notable mana value of six. While its abilities are powerful, it competes in a mana range where other impactful creatures or game-changing plays might be preferable, especially considering the fast-paced nature of certain MTG formats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Otrimi the Ever-Playful thrives in decks that capitalize on the mutate mechanic while offering a sturdy body that can lead to devastating attacks. Its trample ability ensures that it can push through defenses with ease.

Combo Potential: This card interacts excellently with other mutate creatures, magnifying their abilities and potentially leading to unlimited mutate combos. It’s an engine that fits perfectly with synergistic pieces laying the groundwork for explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: As mutate strategies find a foothold in the current environment, Otrimi can be a key player. This card’s potential to swing games with just one or two well-planned mutations makes it a dark horse in any creature-focused deck, aligning well with ever-evolving metagames.


How to Beat Otrimi, the Ever-Playful

Otrimi, the Ever-Playful is a formidable MTG card known for its potential to command a game with the mutate mechanic. This Sultai-colored legendary creature allows players to return a mutating creature from their graveyard to their hand when dealing combat damage to a player. However, strategies exist to neutralize its impact on the battlefield.

Control decks packing removal spells are particularly effective in keeping Otrimi at bay. Since Otrimi relies heavily on being on the battlefield to utilize its ability, direct removal such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can permanently deal with the threat before it begins to mutate and accrue value. Counter spells also play a significant role; countering Otrimi on the stack prevents it from ever entering the battlefield and becoming a recurring nuisance.

Lastly, graveyard hate cards such as Scavenging Ooze or Relic of Progenitus can disrupt Otrimi’s ability by exiling key creatures before they can be returned to the hand. This cuts off the synergy and leaves your opponent with fewer options for rebuilding their board. Maintaining a proactive approach and using these strategies can efficiently deal with Otrimi, ensuring it remains nothing more than a playful afterthought in your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the strategic depths of MTG with Otrimi, the Ever-Playful, a unique card enhancing the dynamic mutate mechanic. Whether you’re refining a Sultai deck or looking for cards that promise recurring value and versatile plays, Otrimi can be the ace up your sleeve. Understanding both its potential and its limitations within various gameplay situations is key to mastering its use. Join the community of seasoned players exploring this and other complex MTG strategies. Elevate your deck-building skills and become adept at navigating the ever-shifting battlegrounds of Magic the Gathering. Learn more with us and discover how Otrimi can evolve your gameplay.


Cards like Otrimi, the Ever-Playful

In the vast ecosystem of MTG creatures, Otrimi the Ever-Playful stands as a unique commander in terms of fostering a mutate-based strategy. Mutate, a mechanic introduced in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, allows you to merge creatures for a synergistic effect, and Otrimi amplifies this with its ability to return a creature from the graveyard after dealing combat damage. This functions similarly to the card Brokkos, Apex of Forever, which also has a mutate function and trample, but Brokkos lacks Otrimi’s graveyard recursion ability.

Exploring further, we encounter Nethroi, Apex of Death. While Nethroi also leverages the mutate mechanic and provides graveyard value by bringing creatures back onto the battlefield, it does so in a one-time mass reanimation event, contrasting with Otrimi’s ability to trigger every combat. Illuna, Apex of Wishes is another card that mutates to advantageously manipulate the top of the library, but it doesn’t focus on the recurring elements of graveyard play that Otrimi emphasizes.

Considering Otrimi’s capability to recurrently capitalize on mutate synergies and bolster long-term board presence, it stands out among similar MTG creatures that share the mutate feature but diverge in terms of utility and strategic value.

Brokkos, Apex of Forever - MTG Card versions
Nethroi, Apex of Death - MTG Card versions
Illuna, Apex of Wishes - MTG Card versions
Brokkos, Apex of Forever - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Nethroi, Apex of Death - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Illuna, Apex of Wishes - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos (PIKO)

Cards similar to Otrimi, the Ever-Playful by color, type and mana cost

Muldrotha, the Gravetide - MTG Card versions
Vorosh, the Hunter - MTG Card versions
Kheru Lich Lord - MTG Card versions
Abomination of Gudul - MTG Card versions
Tasigur, the Golden Fang - MTG Card versions
Muldrotha, the Gravetide - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Vorosh, the Hunter - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Kheru Lich Lord - Khans of Tarkir Promos (PKTK)
Abomination of Gudul - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Tasigur, the Golden Fang - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Otrimi, the Ever-Playful MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2020, 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 Otrimi, the Ever-Playful and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Otrimi, the Ever-Playful has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Otrimi, the Ever-Playful card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-04-17 If Otrimi deals combat damage to a player at the same time that it’s dealt lethal damage, Otrimi (or any other creature card with mutate that was merged with it) can be the target of its triggered ability.

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