Transmutation MTG Card

Legends (LEG)
1994-06-01 - Number 123

Chronicles (CHR)
1995-07-01 - Number 40

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Key Takeaways

Transmutation can disrupt opponents by turning a powerful creature into a minimal threat at instant speed.
Using this card may come at the cost of precise mana color requirements and potential hand depletion.
Its versatility, combo potential, and meta-relevance make it a worthwhile addition to diverse deck strategies.

Text of card

Until end of turn, target creature's power and toughness are switched. Effects that alter power alter toughness instead, and vice versa.

"You know what I was,/ You see what I am: change me, change me!" —Randall

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Transmutation offers a strategic edge by effectively transforming an opponent’s key creature into a less threatening one. By doing so, this often disrupts their game plan and can leave you in a superior board position.

Resource Acceleration: Although Transmutation itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can indirectly contribute to resource advantage. By nullifying a more expensive creature your opponent controls, you may effectively “save” mana that would have been spent on dealing with a more costly threat.

Instant Speed: The utility of being able to cast Transmutation at instant speed should not be underestimated. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the fluid dynamics of the game, using it as a timely response to an opponent’s actions or capitalizing on the perfect moment to upset their strategies, maintaining the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The necessity to discard a card when casting could deplete your hand, creating a setback if you need a variety of options for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Transmutation’s casting cost demands precise mana colors, potentially restricting its integration into multi-colored decks that may not have the necessary resources readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an upper-tier mana cost, Transmutation may be less preferable when more cost-effective alternatives for altering the battlefield or disrupting your opponent’s strategy are available in your library.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: A card such as Transmutation shines in its flexibility to adapt to various game situations. It can turn a threat into a harmless creature or downgrade an opponent’s key attacker, making it a utility player in numerous deck styles.

Combo Potential: Transmutation’s ability to alter creature statistics paves the way for advantageous board interactions. It works well with decks that harness the power of creature-based mechanics or those that capitalize on modifying creature traits.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures often dictate the pace, having the ability to control the battlefield with Transmutation can be crucial. Its relevance is heightened in environments filled with formidable creatures, providing an efficient answer to otherwise problematic creatures.

How to beat

Transmutation is a lesser-known but potentially game-altering card in Magic: The Gathering. This card can turn any forceful creature into a benign 1/1 without any abilities, thus neutralizing the threat it poses. Navigating around its effects requires strategic planning and precision.

To effectively counter Transmutation, having enchantment removal options in your deck can be key. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant that can destroy target enchantments are useful assets and can reverberate the strength of your creatures. Additionally, playing counterspells such as Negate or Mana Leak can help prevent Transmutation from landing on your vital creatures in the first place. Remember that cards in MTG have nuances, and timing your plays to protect your assets or disrupt your opponent’s strategies can make all the difference. Utilizing these tactics can help maintain your creatures’ potency and secure your position on the battlefield.

Ultimately, understanding and anticipating your opponent’s plan can prepare you to react effectively against Transmutation. Be alert, keep backup measures in your deck, and address threats with confidence to stay ahead in the match.

Cards like Transmutation

Transmutation stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique tool for dealing with creature threats. This blue spell shines by transforming potentially dangerous creatures into benign ones with a decreased power and toughness. Looking at cards like Turn to Frog and Polymorphist’s Jest, we notice similarities. Turn to Frog also changes creatures, reducing their stats significantly, much like Transmutation. Though Turn to Frog is temporary and affects a single target, showing that Transmutation offers a more permanent answer to a broader range of threats.

Dive into something like Ovinize, and the parallels continue. With Ovinize, we can permanently modify a creature down to a 0/1, ignoring abilities, similar to Transmutation’s utility. Yet, Transmutation can target creatures of any size, presenting a more versatile removal option. Comparing these, it’s clear that while they share a common function, each has a uniquely tactical role depending on the situation at hand.

Transmutation’s ability to neutralize large threats indefinitely positions itself as a valuable asset for control strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its place among these transformative spells is solidified by its reliable, long-term impact in altering creatures’ combat potential.

Cards similar to Transmutation by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Transmutation MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Transmutation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Transmutation Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 1995-07-01. Illustrated by Susan Van Camp.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-06-01	Legends	LEG		123	1993	Normal	Black	Susan Van Camp
2	1995-07-01	Chronicles	CHR		40	1993	Normal	White	Susan Van Camp

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Transmutation has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2005-11-01	Note that the wording “Effects that alter the creature’s power alter its toughness instead, and vice versa, this turn” has been removed.
2013-04-15	Effects that switch power and toughness apply after all other effects that change power and/or toughness, regardless of which effect was created first.
2013-04-15	Switching a creature’s power and toughness twice (or any even number of times) effectively returns the creature to the power and toughness it had before any switches.