Mutant's Prey MTG Card

Excellent at providing card advantage by allowing for one-sided creature combat thanks to its ‘fight’ mechanic. The low mana cost of Mutant’s Prey supports effective board development, keeping mana resources open for versatility. Instant speed offers strategic plays, making it a surprise element during crucial game moments.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Fight
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Number	45
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ryan Barger

Text of card

Target creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it fights target creature an opponent controls. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)

Every street corner is a hunting ground, every citizen potential prey.

Cards like Mutant's Prey

Mutant’s Prey stands out in the realm of removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the utility of fight mechanics found in similar cards, such as Prey Upon, which also facilitates a confrontation between two creatures. Mutant’s Prey, though, requires the controller’s creature to have a +1/+1 counter to initiate the conflict, limiting its flexibility compared to Prey Upon’s broader applicability.

Another card in close relation is Savage Swipe, it presents a similar fight scenario but with the added benefit of potentially strengthening your creature if it’s of power two. This could be an advantage over Mutant’s Prey in certain decks. Moreover, Epic Confrontation deserves mentioning, it not only allows the fight to occur but also provides a slight power boost to your creature, ensuring even weak creatures might take down bigger threats.

Overall, each of these cards offers its unique twist on the classic fight mechanic. Mutant’s Prey can be a strategic tool for those decks that actively leverage +1/+1 counters, combining removal with the steady growth of your creatures, while other options may suit decks that don’t revolve around that synergy.

Cards similar to Mutant's Prey by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mutant’s Prey shines by enabling a player to potentially remove an opponent’s creature without losing a card themselves. This ‘fight’ mechanic can clear the way for your own creatures to attack and helps maintain control of the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly affecting mana, Mutant’s Prey requires a minimal investment of just one green mana. This cost efficiency allows you to develop your board and resources while still interacting with the game state.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Mutant’s Prey at instant speed provides strategic flexibility. It can be used during your turn or at a critical moment on your opponent’s turn, such as right before they declare attackers, allowing for surprising and potentially game-changing interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mutant’s Prey necessitates having a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it to cast, potentially putting you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to meet this prerequisite when needed.

Specific Mana Cost: The cost for Mutant’s Prey is locked into green mana, which can restrict deck-building options and may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored decks that require flexible mana considerations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing a single green mana, the situational nature of the card, needing a creature with a +1/+1 counter, might make it a less optimal choice when compared to other instant spells that provide removal or combat tricks without such specific conditions.

Reasons to Include Mutant’s Prey in Your Collection

Versatility: Mutant’s Prey offers a unique spot-removal option for green creature-heavy decks, allowing players to capitalize on their creature’s power without overextending resources.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks that focus on +1/+1 counters as it requires a creature with a counter for its targeting condition. It’s perfect for enhancing interactions within a proliferate or adapt strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-based combat, Mutant’s Prey shines by allowing a swift and cost-effective answer to potential threats, maintaining board presence while disrupting opponents’ strategies.

How to beat

Mutant’s Prey stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an instant that allows players to remove creatures from their opponent’s board, conditional upon controlling a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it. To effectively counter this card, players should aim to limit the number of enemy creatures that can accumulate these counters, thereby nullifying Mutant’s Prey’s potential. Tactics include employing removal spells that preemptively deal with counter-generating creatures or using board wipes to reset the playing field.

Strategies such as utilizing instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can prove crucial in disrupting an opponent’s game plan, especially when they are attempting to set up Mutant’s Prey. It’s also advantageous to hold up mana for counterspells or to play creatures that can block and eliminate threats before Mutant’s Prey can be activated. In games where the board state allows Mutant’s Prey to shine, swiftly altering that state in your favor becomes key to victory. Remember, understanding the timing and being proactive rather than reactive makes the difference in overcoming strategies centered around this card.

In conclusion, while Mutant’s Prey offers the potential for a cheap and effective creature removal, its dependency on a specific board condition provides ample opportunity for savvy players to undermine its effectiveness, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mutant's Prey MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Mutant's Prey and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mutant's Prey has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-04-15	If one of the targets is illegal when Mutant’s Prey tries to resolve (for example, if the first target creature no longer has a +1/+1 counter on it), neither creature will deal or be dealt damage.
2013-04-15	Only a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it can be chosen as the first target of Mutant’s Prey.