Outmuscle MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Sorcery |
Abilities | Adamant,Fight |
Released | 2019-10-04 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Throne of Eldraine |
Set code | ELD |
Number | 170 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Viktor Titov |
Text of card
Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control, then it fights target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.) Adamant — If at least three green mana was spent to cast this spell, the creature you control gains indestructible until end of turn.
Cards like Outmuscle
Outmuscle stands out in the realm of creature buff spells in MTG, much like the role Giant Growth has traditionally played in many decks. Both cards offer a temporary boost, however, Outmuscle comes with the added benefit of the fight mechanic, forcing two creatures to deal damage to one another. This not only enhances a creature’s size but can also clear the board of an opponent’s threat.
Titanic Growth serves a role parallel to Outmuscle with its ability to provide a significant power and toughness increase. While it lacks the fight aspect, it makes up for this with its lower mana cost and the surprise element it can bring during combat. Similarly, Prey Upon is a more direct comparison since it purely focuses on the fight mechanic between creatures but does not offer the strength enhancement that Outmuscle provides.
In sum, while each spell has its unique advantages in deck-building strategies, Outmuscle’s combination of buffing a creature and engaging in creature removal through its fight mechanic, potentially with the added protection of Adamant, adeptly balances board control with creature advancement in MTG.
Cards similar to Outmuscle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Outmuscle not only helps remove an opposing creature but also often ensures your own creature survives the encounter due to the card’s +1/+1 counter application when played with adamant. This can create a significant swing in card advantage by preserving your resources while depleting your opponent’s.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially removing a blocker or a creature that could be a threat to your mana-producing creatures, Outmuscle indirectly accelerates your resource development. Keeping your mana dorks or other important creatures alive means more resources and potentially a quicker path to victory.
Instant Speed: While Outmuscle does not operate at instant speed, the advantage it provides during your main phase can set the stage for stronger plays at instant speed later in the game. It’s all about setting up a board state that allows you to capitalize on your instant speed spells without worry.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Outmuscle card does not necessitate a discard as part of casting it, which can be seen as a plus for conserving hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Outmuscle requires one green mana as part of its casting cost. Players running multi-color decks might find it challenging to consistently have the right mana at the right time, potentially leading to situations where Outmuscle is uncastable when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three and a green mana, Outmuscle can be seen as an investment, particularly when competing with other efficient removal spells within the same mana range. Other cards might provide more immediate or versatile board control for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Outmuscle in Your Collection
Versatility: Outmuscle is a solid addition to green decks that focus on creature-based strategies. Its ability to act as both a removal and a combat trick makes it adaptable to various situations on the battlefield, enhancing your deck’s responsiveness against opponents.
Combo Potential: With Outmuscle, you can exploit synergies in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. It can be effectively combined with cards that interact with counters or use them to empower creatures, further extending your strategic options during a game.
Meta-Relevance: As creature interactions are a core part of many meta-games, Outmuscle maintains its relevance. It serves as a practical tool in matchups where board control is vital, potentially swinging games in your favor by eliminating key threats while bolstering your own creatures’ survival.
How to beat
Outmuscle represents a solid piece of removal in Magic: The Gathering, offering the dual advantage of bolstering your creature and potentially clearing out an opponent’s threat. However, strategies exist to diminish Outmuscle’s impact. One such tactic involves maintaining a low creature count on your side, thereby minimizing Outmuscle’s targets for a fight. Another effective technique is running instant-speed removal or counterspells to disrupt the spell before it resolves, eliminating its capacity to affect the board.
Hexproof or indestructible creatures also serve as efficient foils to Outmuscle’s effectiveness. By deploying these types of creatures, you ensure that even if Outmuscle resolves, it fails to eliminate its intended target. Lastly, remember that Outmuscle requires a creature with power greater than that of the opponent’s creature for a successful elimination. Keeping higher-powered creatures on the board, or using combat tricks to increase power in response, can turn the tables on an Outmuscle attempt. In sum, clever deck construction and thoughtful in-game decisions can adeptly navigate the challenges posed by Outmuscle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Outmuscle MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Outmuscle 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Outmuscle 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 Outmuscle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2019-10-04 | Adamant effects check what mana was actually spent to cast a spell. If an effect allows you to spend mana “as though it were mana” of any color or type, that allows you to spend mana you couldn't otherwise spend, but it doesn't change what mana you spent to cast the spell. |
2019-10-04 | Because state-based actions don't destroy a creature with lethal damage marked on it until a player would receive priority, gaining indestructible from Outmuscle will save your creature if it's dealt lethal damage in the fight. |
2019-10-04 | If an effect allows you to cast a spell without paying its mana cost, you can't choose to cast it and pay unless another rule or effect allows you to cast that spell for a cost. Similarly, you can't waive a cost reduction unless that effect says you may. |
2019-10-04 | If an instant or sorcery spell has an adamant ability, you perform the spell's instructions in order. You don't perform the adamant instruction before the spell resolves or before any other effects printed above it. |
2019-10-04 | If either target is an illegal target as Outmuscle tries to resolve, neither creature will deal or be dealt damage. |
2019-10-04 | If the creature you control is an illegal target as Outmuscle tries to resolve, no creature gets a +1/+1 counter. If that creature is a legal target but the creature you don't control isn't, it still gets a +1/+1 counter and gains indestructible if appropriate. |
2019-10-04 | If you copy a spell that has an adamant ability, no mana was spent to cast the copy at all, so that ability won't apply. |
2019-10-04 | You can't cast Outmuscle unless you choose both a creature you control and a creature you don't control as targets. |