Dermoplasm MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Shapeshifter |
| Abilities | Flying,Morph |
| Released | 2003-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legions |
| Set code | LGN |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 35 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | John Avon |
Text of card
Flying Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Dermoplasm is turned face up, you may put a creature card with morph from your hand into play face up. If you do, return Dermoplasm to its owner's hand.
Cards like Dermoplasm
Dermoplasm has a unique place in the Magic: The Gathering tableau of creature cards with its morph feature and the ability to morph others from your hand. In terms of functionality, Vesuvan Shapeshifter is an interesting counterpart. Like Dermoplasm, this card also thrives on the morph mechanic, able to turn face up at any time for its morph cost. Yet, Vesuvan Shapeshifter takes flexibility a step further, allowing you to turn it face down again on your next upkeep, and potentially mimicking new creatures each turn.
Then there’s Brine Elemental, a creature that, when turned face up, unleashes a formidable ability – locking out your opponent from untapping their permanents on the next untap step. While Dermoplasm requires another card to exploit its potential fully, Brine Elemental offers an inherent disruptive ability. However, the latter lacks the immediate impact and surprise factor that a well-timed play with Dermoplasm and the right card in hand can provide.
In the realm of morph cards and game-changing plays, Dermoplasm holds its own with its capacity to swiftly change the tide of battle by calling upon other powerful creatures in your hand, setting the stage for dramatic in-game shifts in your favor.
Cards similar to Dermoplasm by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dermoplasm’s ability to copy a creature card in your graveyard can effectively double the impact of that creature for the cost of one card. This means for each Dermoplasm, you can potentially have two powerful creature effects on the battlefield, leveraging your graveyard as an extended hand.
Resource Acceleration: With Dermoplasm’s morph ability, you can play it face down as a 2/2 creature for three mana of any color, and then turn it face up for its morph cost when it suits you. This flexibility allows you to put a creature on the board early and transform it without needing specific mana colors at that later point.
Instant Speed: The morph mechanic is a game-changer, effectively granting the creature instant-like capabilities. You can morph Dermoplasm during your opponent’s turn, emulating the surprise element of instant speed spells. It allows you to wait for the perfect moment to unveil a threatening creature, or simply to adapt to the evolving battlefield without telegraphing your strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dermoplasm’s Morph ability necessitates parting with another creature card from your hand, which can deplete your hand quickly and reduce your ability to respond to opponents’ actions.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Dermoplasm is not just three mana, but it specifically requires one blue, making it more challenging to fit into multicolored decks that may not have a consistent access to blue mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting this creature for its full Morph cost is a considerable investment of four mana. In competitive play, there are several lower-cost cards that could provide a more immediate impact on the game without the added risk of having to reveal them for their Morph cost.
Reasons to Include Dermoplasm in Your Collection
Versatility: Dermoplasm’s ability to morph and turn into any creature in your hand makes it a flexible addition to decks that capitalize on surprise tactics or require adaptable solutions to in-game situations.
Combo Potential: With Dermoplasm’s ability to effectively cheat creatures onto the battlefield bypassing their mana costs, it enables various combos and synergies, especially in decks that use high-cost creatures or creatures with powerful enter the battlefield effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence and adaptability are key, Dermoplasm’s swift morphing can outpace opponents by deploying threats ahead of curve or responding to an evolving battlefield without the need for a hefty mana investment.
How to beat
Dermoplasm presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its morph ability that allows for unpredictable plays. Players may struggle with its potential to turn into any creature, which calls for a strategic approach to surmount this mystifying creature. One effective measure is direct removal spells that can bypass the morph mechanic, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, before it can transform and wreak havoc. Counter measures like Counterspell or Essence Scatter are also effective when Dermoplasm tries to morph, stopping the threat in its tracks.
Board wipes like Supreme Verdict or Damnation can be a crucial reset to alleviate the pressure Dermoplasm poses, clearing the board of all creatures regardless of their face-down status. Graveyard hate cards, like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt, are also valuable to prevent recurring morph threats from returning to play once dealt with initially. By incorporating these cards into your deck, you increase your odds against Dermoplasm, keeping the game state in your favor.
Ultimately, being aware of Dermoplasm’s capabilities and having the right answers at the ready will tip the scales. Balancing your deck with removal, counter spells and graveyard disruption ensures preparedness for not just Dermoplasm, but a diverse array of challenges that could arise during play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dermoplasm MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Dermoplasm 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dermoplasm 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 Dermoplasm 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 | The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield. |