Grotesque Mutation MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 115
2018-06-08 - Number 145
2019-11-07 - Number 681
2022-12-02 - Number 425
2023-03-21 - Number 116
2020-09-26 - Number BBD-145
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature gets +3/+1 and gains lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by the creature also causes its controller to gain that much life.)
Cards like Grotesque Mutation
Grotesque Mutation offers a burst of strength and life gain to a single creature on the battlefield. This card brings to mind the classic Giant Growth, which is well-known for providing a sizeable boost of power and toughness without the life gain element. Grotesque Mutation, however, adds to the creature’s formidable presence with lifelink, giving the player a survival edge by increasing their life total with damage dealt during that turn.
Another analogous card is Alchemist’s Gift, which not only gives a smaller boost in stats but also presents a choice between lifelink or deathtouch, adapting to various game situations. However, it doesn’t provide the same magnitude of power increase that Grotesque Mutation does. Lastly, there’s Rush of Vitality, granting indestructible alongside lifelink. While indestructible can be pivotal in certain scenarios, the extra power provided by Grotesque Mutation might be more impactful in combat or for a decisive strike.
Overall, the extra lifelink and power from Grotesque Mutation can be essential for aggressive strategies, sustaining players’ life totals while they aim to outpace and overwhelm opponents in MTG.
Cards similar to Grotesque Mutation by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Grotesque Mutation doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, the lifelink it grants can be a game-changer, often serving as a pseudo-card advantage by helping you stabilize your life total, which in turn can preserve your resources and affect your opponent’s strategies.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost boost, Grotesque Mutation can be a strategic card for quick plays. Though not a direct form of resource acceleration, the lifelink can potentially give you an edge in the race against an opponent, leading to more effective use of your life as a resource.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Grotesque Mutation at instant speed gives you the flexibility to surprise your opponent during combat. This unpredictability can turn the tide by not only boosting your creature’s power but also providing an unexpected swing in life totals that can alter the course of the duel.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Grotesque Mutation can provide a sudden boost in offense or defense, it does not come without a price. This card does not directly ask players to discard, but it is a single-use instant that effectively leaves your hand, thus reducing your resources and potential options for later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Grotesque Mutation requires one black mana, which ties it specifically to decks that include black mana sources. Players running multicolored decks or those not centered around black may find it challenging to accommodate such a card without interfering with their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Spending two mana might seem reasonable for an instant boost, but in competitive play, every mana counts. There are alternative cards that could provide a more impactful effect, a longer-lasting advantage, or even an additional benefit such as card draw or life gain for the same or lower mana cost, making Grotesque Mutation a less favorable option in some scenarios.
Reasons to Include Grotesque Mutation in Your Collection
Versatility: Grotesque Mutation fits well into a variety of decks, specifically those that rely on bolstering creatures in critical combat scenarios. It can serve as a surprising boost during battles.
Combo Potential: The card provides both an instant life gain and power increase, which can synergize effectively with strategies that revolve around life total manipulation or creature strength enhancement.
Meta-Relevance: In games where creature-based aggro decks are predominant, Grotesque Mutation can offer a significant and unexpected advantage that can sway the tide of battle in your favor.
How to beat
Grotesque Mutation can catch opponents off guard in MTG, providing a swift change in combat outcomes with its life-gain and power boost. The card shines mid-battle when an unexpected burst of strength can tip the scales. Clearly, the most straightforward strategy to overcome this black instant is by maintaining open mana for removal spells or counterspells to nullify its effect before it takes hold.
It’s also wise to assess the battlefield. If your adversary has untapped mana and a creature that could swing the match with a sudden boost, it may be prudent to hold back attackers or ensure blockers are in place. Creature removal spells like Fatal Push or cards that can negate abilities, such as Disallow, can disrupt a well-timed Grotesque Mutation, leaving your opponent’s plans in ruins. In essence, by staying vigilant and ready to act, the surprise factor of Grotesque Mutation loses its edge, giving you the upper hand in combat scenarios.
Staying ahead involves not just responding to immediate threats, but anticipating potential surprises. By preparing for unexpected shifts like those Grotesque Mutation could introduce, you elevate your MTG gameplay to strategically secure your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Grotesque Mutation MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Battlebond, 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 Grotesque Mutation and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Grotesque Mutation Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 115 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 681 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | BBD-145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | ||
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 425 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 6 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 116 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Grotesque Mutation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grotesque Mutation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant. |