Warped Physique MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Warped Physique can cleverly remove threats without sacrificing card advantage, crucial for game dominance.
  2. Instant speed gives strategic flexibility, making it ideal for timely disruption or threat elimination.
  3. Demands hand-size management, linking its power to strategical play and resourcefulness.

Text of card

Target creature gets +X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand.

The Gruul seek unbounded strength. The Dimir deliver cruel irony.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warped Physique offers an efficient way to potentially remove an opponent’s creature while not losing card advantage. This is vital in matches where resources in hand can dictate the tide of the game.

Resource Acceleration: While not providing direct resource acceleration, Warped Physique’s low mana cost allows players to maintain momentum by using their mana efficiently in the early to mid-game phases.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Warped Physique provides flexibility, allowing players to decide the most strategic moment to cast it, potentially during the opponent’s turn to disrupt their plays or remove key threats unexpectedly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Warped Physique’s full potential necessitates having a sufficient hand size, as its power is closely tied to the number of cards you hold. When cards in hand are scarce, its effectiveness diminishes, possibly turning it into a dead draw when you’re in need of impactful plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Warped Physique comes with a specific mana requirement—one blue and one black—which may not seamlessly fit into all decks. Its two-colored mana cost can prove to be a stumbling block, particularly in multicolor decks that demand a well-tuned mana base to accommodate such precise costs without hampering the deck’s overall functionality.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its combined casting and effective utilization costs, Warped Physique may appear mana-intensive compared to other cards within the same utility range. Players might find it cumbersome to preserve a significant number of cards in hand to maximize its benefit, and doing so could potentially slow down the tempo of gameplay, allowing opponents to gain an upper hand.


Reasons to Include Warped Physique in Your Collection

Versatility: Warped Physique proves its adaptability through its ability to both buff your creatures or debilitate opposing threats. It’s a dynamic choice for decks that value flexible removal or sudden power boosts.

Combo Potential: This card might not immediately stand out for its combo potential, but savvy deck builders can leverage it in a deck dense with card draw mechanics. Casting this spell when your hand is full can mean a significant boost in power or a sudden takedown of an opponent’s key creature.

Meta-Relevance: Given its instant speed and scalability, Warped Physique is particularly useful in metas where creature-based strategies prevail. Being able to remove threats or outmaneuver blockers on the fly makes it a strategic addition to any collection, keeping your opponents constantly on their toes.


How to beat

Warped Physique stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a versatile and often unpredictable instant card. It can either buff or debuff a creature depending on the number of cards in your hand. To effectively counter this card, it is essential to maintain awareness of both players’ hand sizes. Lowering your hand count while increasing the cards in your opponent’s hand can turn Warped Physique into a disadvantage for them, potentially weakening their own creatures when they least expect it.

One could also rely on hexproof creatures to sidestep Warped Physique’s effects completely, as it requires a targetable creature. Additionally, since Warped Physique is an instant, having counter spells ready can nip the threat in the bud before it affects the board. Managing resources and strategic planning go a long way in countering the fluid nature of this unique instant, keeping the power in your hands. Remember, like many other cards in Magic: The Gathering, success often lies not only in deck construction but also in the judicious use of your spells during the game.


Cards like Warped Physique

Warped Physique is an intriguing instant in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, providing both removal and disruption. When comparing it to other cards, Agony Warp springs to mind. Both govern the battlefield by altering creature stats, but Warped Physique is unique in its scaling effect based on the number of cards in your hand. This provides potential for a larger impact on the board state, depending on your hand size.

Another analogous card is Disfigure, which stands out for its consistency. Disfigure always gives a creature -2/-2 for one mana, guaranteeing a predictable outcome. Although not as potentially powerful as Warped Physique, its dependability and lower cost are often appreciated by players. Conversely, Dead Weight offers a similar persistent shrinking effect as a creature enchantment, yet it lacks the instant speed which can be crucial during combat phases or in response to opponent’s actions.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Warped Physique offers versatility and surprise potential, adept for players who keep a healthy hand size. It’s particularly effective in formats where hand management is part of the strategy, making it a dynamic choice for control decks looking to manage opponents’ threats on the fly.

Agony Warp - MTG Card versions
Disfigure - MTG Card versions
Dead Weight - MTG Card versions
Agony Warp - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Disfigure - Zendikar (ZEN)
Dead Weight - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Warped Physique by color, type and mana cost

Lim-Dûl's Vault - MTG Card versions
Malicious Advice - MTG Card versions
Dimir Charm - MTG Card versions
Siphon Insight - MTG Card versions
Shadow of Doubt - MTG Card versions
Fate Transfer - MTG Card versions
Agony Warp - MTG Card versions
Countersquall - MTG Card versions
Tyrant's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Twisted Reflection - MTG Card versions
Drown in the Loch - MTG Card versions
Corpse Cobble - MTG Card versions
Tainted Indulgence - MTG Card versions
Bind to Secrecy - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Urborg - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Mist - MTG Card versions
Drag the Canal - MTG Card versions
Contaminated Drink - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Vault - Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown Kit (SLC)
Malicious Advice - Planeshift (PLS)
Dimir Charm - GRN Guild Kit (GK1)
Siphon Insight - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Shadow of Doubt - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Fate Transfer - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Agony Warp - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Countersquall - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Tyrant's Scorn - War of the Spark (WAR)
Twisted Reflection - Modern Horizons (MH1)
Drown in the Loch - Special Guests (SPG)
Corpse Cobble - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Tainted Indulgence - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)
Bind to Secrecy - Alchemy: New Capenna (YSNC)
Tribute to Urborg - Dominaria United (DMU)
Vesuvan Mist - Alchemy: Dominaria (YDMU)
Drag the Canal - Murders at Karlov Manor Promos (PMKM)
Contaminated Drink - Fallout (PIP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Warped Physique MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and GRN Guild Kit, 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 Warped Physique and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Warped Physique Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2018-11-02. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 1172003normalblackKarl Kopinski
22018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 212015normalblackKarl Kopinski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Warped Physique has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-04-15 Once Warped Physique resolves, the effect won’t change if the number of cards in your hand changes.
2013-04-15 Use the number of cards in your hand as Warped Physique resolves to determine the value of X. Warped Physique won’t be in your hand at that time.

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