Fungusaur MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 195
1993-10-04 - Number 196
1993-12-01 - Number 196
1993-12-10 - Number 196
1993-12-10 - Number 196
1994-04-01 - Number 197
1994-04-01 - Number 197
1994-06-21 - Number 197
1995-04-01 - Number 246
1995-04-01 - Number 246
1997-03-24 - Number 296
2003-07-28 - Number 250★
2003-07-28 - Number 250
2020-03-08 - Number 66
2022-11-28 - Number 488
2022-11-28 - Number 191
2020-09-26 - Number 8ED-250
| Card sets | Released in 17 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Fungus Dinosaur |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Each time Fungusaur is damaged but not destroyed, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Rather than sheltering her young, the female Fungusaur often injures her own offspring, thereby ensuring their rapid growth.
Cards like Fungusaur
Fungusaur has long been a classic in the world of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, renowned for its ability to grow stronger as it survives damage. One comparable card is the iconic Sporeback Troll, which not only gains +1/+1 counters when damage is dealt to it but also comes with the regenerative ability, adding a layer of survivability. Another kin in terms of mechanics is the much newer Voracious Hydra. While it also thrives on +1/+1 counters, the Hydra has the additional advantage of doubling its counters or acting as removal upon entering the battlefield, offering much more versatility.
Looking at other parts of the MTG universe, Unyaro Bees stands out for its parallel tendency to grow through +1/+1 counters, yet it brings an airborne threat with flying. However, these creatures each have their unique ecosystem to flourish in; while Fungusaur needs to be dealt damage to evolve, Unyaro Bees offer more immediate, albeit costlier, growth opportunities. Each of these creatures has their niche, but the consistent growth potential of Fungusaur in response to the common occurrence of damage makes it a formidable and enduring presence in its own right.
In analyzing these similarities, it’s evident that Fungusaur brings a nostalgic yet dynamic playstyle to the table, challenging players to maximize its growth potential in the face of adversity, shaping the way such creature cards are viewed within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Fungusaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Fungusaur may not directly allow you to draw cards, it’s inherently designed to grow over time as you heal it from damage. This means that the Fungusaur has the potential to provide a significant advantage on the board, as it can quickly outgrow your opponent’s creatures, effectively giving you a larger presence and more control of the board state.
Resource Acceleration: While the Fungusaur doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense through mana or card draw, it does contribute to resource acceleration in terms of creature power. Every time Fungusaur is damaged and survives, it gets stronger which can accelerate your board’s power level without further investment—meaning your resources can be allocated elsewhere.
Instant Speed: Fungusaur’s ability to gain a +1/+1 counter isn’t tied to a spell at instant speed, but the strategy applies when pairing it with other instant-speed spells or abilities. Imagine using an instant that damages Fungusaur only to have it survive and grow stronger, all during an unexpected moment on your opponent’s turn. This synergistic play can catch an opponent off guard and turn the tides in your favor.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Fungusaur requires a particular combination of mana to cast, which can make it challenging to play outside of decks that heavily focus on green mana sources. This can restrict its incorporation into multi-colored or colorless decks where mana flexibility is paramount.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at four, Fungusaur might not seem overly expensive. However, within green’s section of the color pie, this cost competes directly with a variety of creatures that may offer immediate impact or more powerful abilities. As such, the investment into Fungusaur can feel steep compared to some other options available.
Discard Requirement: While Fungusaur itself does not require a discard, it’s important to consider the broader requirements of synergistic cards that pair with it. In a deck built to capitalize on Fungusaur’s ability, you may find yourself discarding to trigger enrage or similar effects, thereby depleting your hand and potential resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fungusaur can adapt to various deck themes due to its unique ability to grow stronger whenever it’s damaged. This survivability makes it an asset in both offense and defense.
Combo Potential: This creature thrives alongside cards that deal non-lethal damage, allowing you to boost its power incrementally. Pairing with effects that place +1/+1 counters or enablers like “Pyrohemia” can lead to a substantial board presence.
Meta-Relevance: Given the current environment where damage-inflicting strategies are common, Fungusaur has the capacity to benefit from the fray, potentially swinging games in your favor as it evolves into a formidable threat on the battlefield.
How to beat
Fungusaur, a classic creature within MTG, presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This card, hailing from Magic’s earlier sets, grows stronger with every mark of damage, as it gains a +1/+1 counter post-survival. Unlike other creatures that might succumb to damage, Fungusaur thrives, expanding its presence with each skirmish that it endures. This daunting ability necessitates a strategy that revolves around bypassing traditional combat damage.
To successfully counteract the resilience of Fungusaur, players should consider utilizing spells that can remove it without inflicting damage, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. These provide an effective solution by exiling Fungusaur, thereby preventing its growth. Alternatively, effects that reduce its toughness to zero, like Dismember or Grasp of Darkness, can prove efficient by sidestepping its strength-gaining capacity. Strategic deployment of such spells is critical, ensuring the Fungusaur’s potential is restrained before it can become an unstoppable force on the board.
In essence, overcoming Fungusaur necessitates an approach that either avoids boosting its power or preempts its advancement entirely. Through clever spell selection and timing, MTG players can turn the tide against this ever-growing threat, maintaining control of the game state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fungusaur MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Fungusaur 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 Fungusaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 195 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 196 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 196 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 196 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 196 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 197 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 197 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 197 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 246 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 246 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 296 | 1997 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 12 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 250★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 13 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 250 | 2003 | Normal | White | Heather Hudson | |
| 14 | 2020-03-08 | Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils | FMB1 | 66 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 15 | The List | PLST | 8ED-250 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | ||
| 16 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 488 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 17 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 191 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fungusaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fungusaur 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 | If more than one creature damages it at one time, it only gets one counter. |