Repulsive Mutation MTG Card


Offers strategic advantage by diminishing the power of opponent’s creatures at instant speed. Casting Repulsive Mutation demands discarding, a potential drawback for players. Enhances decks focusing on -1/-1 counter synergies or aggressive strategies.
Repulsive Mutation - Murders at Karlov Manor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set nameMurders at Karlov Manor
Set codeMKM
Number227
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFilip Burburan

Text of card

Put X +1/+1 counters on target creature you control. Then counter up to one target spell unless its controller pays mana equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.

"Remind me to send the biomancer team a gift basket." —Olana, Simic field researcher


Cards like Repulsive Mutation

Repulsive Mutation finds its niche among the many combat trick cards in Magic: The Gathering. A close relative to Repulsive Mutation is Giant Growth, a card that can alternatively be used to beef up your own creatures. While Giant Growth provides a straightforward boost in power and toughness, Repulsive Mutation stands out because of its ability to debilitate an opponent’s creature, potentially swinging a battle in your favor.

Another parallel can be drawn with Dismember. Both cards can severely weaken a target creature, albeit Dismember offers more permanent removal at the expense of life points or a higher mana cost. Unlike Repulsive Mutation, however, Dismember doesn’t hold the limitation of being bound to instant speed during only your turn. Unholy Strength, while not a direct comparison, follows the pattern of modifying creature stats but focuses on reinforcing your own creatures rather than diminishing an adversary’s.

Ultimately, Repulsive Mutation adds a strategic layer to MTG combat, demanding timely activation and the exploitation of the opponent’s vulnerabilities. Its unique instant-speed limitation champions anticipation and surprise as its core strengths against similar creature-altering spells.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Unholy Strength - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Unholy Strength - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Repulsive Mutation by color, type and mana cost

Decisive Denial - MTG Card versions
Double Major - MTG Card versions
Memory's Journey - MTG Card versions
Simic Charm - MTG Card versions
Hydroform - MTG Card versions
Biomass Mutation - MTG Card versions
Applied Biomancy - MTG Card versions
Growth Spiral - MTG Card versions
Square Up - MTG Card versions
Ride the Avalanche - MTG Card versions
Joint Exploration - MTG Card versions
Decisive Denial - MTG Card versions
Double Major - MTG Card versions
Memory's Journey - MTG Card versions
Simic Charm - MTG Card versions
Hydroform - MTG Card versions
Biomass Mutation - MTG Card versions
Applied Biomancy - MTG Card versions
Growth Spiral - MTG Card versions
Square Up - MTG Card versions
Ride the Avalanche - MTG Card versions
Joint Exploration - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Repulsive Mutation. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formUOL MKM Sealed League
Simic MerfolkSimic Merfolk StandardSimic MerfolkStandard Challenge 32 2024-03-29
Simic TempoSimic Tempo StandardSimic HeroicJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Simic FlashSimic Flash PioneerSimic FlashNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
Domain ZooDomain Zoo ModernDomain ZooDEN24 Sat 9:00 - U.S. Regional Championship - presented by Laughing Dragon
Simic AggroSimic Aggro StandardSimic Artifact Aggro~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Repulsive Mutation provides a unique form of card advantage by significantly weakening an opponent’s creature, altering the battleground to your favor. It diminishes the threat level of an enemy creature, potentially rendering a previous threat inconsequential.

Resource Acceleration: Although Repulsive Mutation doesn’t directly create resources, it allows you to efficiently use your mana. Its low casting cost can lead to a tempo gain, enabling you to deploy more threats or hold up mana for other responses during the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Repulsive Mutation at instant speed offers great flexibility. You can adapt to the changing game state, cast it during an opponent’s turn to disrupt their combat strategies, or use it as a surprise element to protect your life total or preserve a pivotal creature in battle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the notable downsides of Repulsive Mutation is its demand that players discard another card to play it. This can be a significant drawback when your hand is already running thin, effectively reducing your options and potentially giving away the advantage to your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Repulsive Mutation requires black mana to cast. This specific mana cost can constrain its inclusion in a deck, particularly for those that aren’t running a black mana base. It may not be as versatile as more flexible cards that require generic mana or have hybrid mana costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating this card’s efficiency, its mana cost is a factor to consider. Although not exorbitant, it is critical to assess whether the outcome justifies the investment, especially when other options might achieve similar or better effects for the same or lesser mana.


Reasons to Include Repulsive Mutation in Your Collection

Versatility: Repulsive Mutation offers flexibility as a quick and cost-effective way to disrupt opponent’s creatures. Whether you’re playing an aggressive deck that needs to punch through for the win or a control deck fending off threats, this card adapts to multiple scenarios.

Combo Potential: This offensive instant not only weakens an opponent’s creature, but it can work in tandem with cards that capitalize on -1/-1 counter placements or benefit from having creatures with diminished power.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies dominate, Repulsive Mutation can serve as an efficient tool to shift the balance in your favor, suppressing key threats and tilting the board state.


How to beat

Repulsive Mutation thrives in environments where surprise is key, providing creatures with an unexpected boost. This blue instant can be a game-changer when timed correctly, especially in decks that capitalize on unblocked creatures. However, smart play can neutralize its effect. The key to overcoming Repulsive Mutation lies in maintaining a strong board control. Having options like instant-speed removal spells or creatures with flash ready can help you react to the sudden change in combat power.

Anticipating the Mutation requires a keen sense of your opponent’s mana availability and their potential to bluff. Cards with the ability to counter instant spells, like Negate or Essence Scatter, can stop Repulsive Mutation in its tracks. Similarly, employing creatures with reach or vigilance can dissuade an opponent from attempting the risky move. It’s also worth considering the temporary nature of Repulsive Mutation’s power boost. If you can withstand the surprise attack, your opponent will have invested resources for only a transient advantage. Thus, enduring that turn and keeping your defenses adaptable are your best strategies against the deceptive might of Repulsive Mutation.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Repulsive Mutation MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Repulsive Mutation and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Repulsive Mutation has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal