Fatal Mutation MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set name	Scourge
Set code	SCG
Number	66
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Erica Gassalasca-Jape

Key Takeaways

Instant speed allows surprise tactics, making Fatal Mutation a versatile combat trick.
Can be a key piece in decks that capitalize on creature death synergies.
Requires thoughtful play due to its discard requirement and specific mana cost.

Text of card

When enchanted creature is turned face up, destroy it. It can't be regenerated.

"You wear that shell as a mask. Now it's your coffin." —Cabal cleric

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By neutralizing an opponent’s creature and potentially turning it into a liability due to its decreased power and toughness, Fatal Mutation can often swing the board state in your favor. This shift allows you to press the advantage while your opponent scrambles to deal with an effectively dead creature on their side.

Resource Acceleration: While Fatal Mutation itself does not directly provide mana or resource acceleration, its low casting cost ensures that you can deploy other strategies or creatures in the same turn without being set back. It allows for an efficient use of resources, keeping the tempo in your favor.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast Fatal Mutation at instant speed grants you the flexibility to respond to threats mid-combat or disrupt your opponent’s plays in real-time. This can catch an adversary off-guard, turn a losing battle into a favorable clash, or simply offer a strategic surprise that keeps you one step ahead.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fatal Mutation necessitates discarding a card to activate its secondary ability. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially when hand size is crucial for maintaining game momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black mana and generic mana, this card may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks. Players must have access to the right mana sources to utilize it effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that might be considered steep for its effect, Fatal Mutation faces competition from other spells that could potentially yield a greater impact on the game board for the same or less mana investment.

Reasons to Include Fatal Mutation in Your Collection

Versatility: Fatal Mutation offers flexibility to black decks looking to disrupt opponents. It can be used as a surprise combat trick or to strategically remove key threats by turning them into a minimal threat.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that benefit from creature death, such as those involving graveyard recursion or morbid triggers, enhancing your tactical plays.

Meta-Relevance: Considering its ability to swiftly deal with problematic creatures, Fatal Mutation remains a relevant sideboard option in metagames where creatures with strong abilities or high value targets are prevalent.

How to beat

Fatal Mutation is a unique spell card capable of throwing off your opponent’s strategy in Magic the Gathering. While it’s not a widespread card, it can still be a thorn in your side by turning your creature into a relatively harmless 0/1 creature. This can cripple your offense or defense at a critical moment, especially when you rely on that creature’s abilities.

Overcoming Fatal Mutation involves a bit of foresight and strategic play. Firstly, having a diversified battlefield with multiple threats reduces the impact of this card, as it can only target one creature. Additionally, keeping an instant-speed removal or bounce spell handy can save your creature from being permanently affected by Fatal Mutation. Counter magic is also a solid answer, denying the mutation from ever taking effect.

Lastly, using creatures with hexproof or shroud naturally bypass the threat of Fatal Mutation, as they are immune to targeted spells. Remember, adaptability and anticipation are your best tools when facing off against tricky spells like Fatal Mutation in your MTG matchups.

Cards like Fatal Mutation

Fatal Mutation holds its ground in the realm of creature debuff spells within Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to cards like Death Wind, which also allows players to shrink down an opposing creature’s power and toughness. While Death Wind offers versatility with its X mana cost, thereby letting it target creatures of various sizes, Fatal Mutation distinguishes itself with a fixed cost and the surprise factor of only activating upon an opponent’s creature being turned face-up.

Another card worth mentioning is Grasp of Darkness, which offers a static minus four to both power and toughness at instant speed. Unlike Fatal Mutation, there’s no stipulation on creature status, making it a more reliable but less situational option. Then there’s Ulcerate, sacrificing life for a cheaper cost but offering an immediate and significant decrease to a creature’s stats.

When evaluating these cards, it’s clear that Fatal Mutation provides a unique niche by specifically targeting morphing creatures. Its ability to render an opponent’s creature essentially useless, and potentially turn a game around, demonstrates its value in scenarios where morph mechanics are prevalent.

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

Volrath's Motion Sensor - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Reclamation - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fatal Mutation MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Fatal Mutation and other MTG cards: