Scute Mob MTG Card


Scute Mob excels in providing card advantage in landfall strategies and can become a significant threat. Its constant upkeep-based growth can dictate opponent’s plays and fit seamlessly into ramp decks. Despite some drawbacks, Scute Mob’s potential for exponential growth makes it a card worth considering.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Insect
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control five or more lands, put four +1/+1 counters on Scute Mob.

"Survival rule 781: There are always more scute bugs." —Zurdi, goblin shortcutter


Cards like Scute Mob

Scute Mob is a striking creature card in Magic: The Gathering. It draws comparison with cards like Vinelasher Kudzu and Managorger Hydra, known for their propensity to grow every turn. However, Scute Mob sets itself apart with its simple conditions – gaining +4/+4 counters when you have at least five lands in play. Vinelasher Kudzu, contrastingly, requires a land to be played, making the growth potential of Scute Mob comparatively easier to achieve.

Another similar card is Managorger Hydra, which has trample and grows bigger with each spell cast by players. It’s a swifter grower compared to Scute Mob, but the Hydra lacks the resilience provided by Scute Mob’s counters when destroyed. Next, we have Heroes’ Bane. Like Scute Mob, it expands in size, but does so through an activated ability, which requires mana input each turn. The Scute Mob offers a more passive growth model by comparison.

In conclusion, the Scute Mob shines in its niche, providing constant growth without constant intervention. Its straightforward growth mechanic, along with its resilience, carves out a strong position for it among similar expanding creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Vinelasher Kudzu - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Heroes' Bane - MTG Card versions
Vinelasher Kudzu - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Heroes' Bane - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Scute Mob by color, type and mana cost

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Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Rime Dryad - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Willow Dryad - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elite - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the greatness of Scute Mob MTG card is the card advantage it provides especially in late game scenarios. Despite being a one-drop, it can quickly grow its power and toughness once you have five or more lands in play, letting you control the board while effortlessly maintaining an advantage in creature power and toughness.

Resource Acceleration: With the Scute Mob MTG card, resource acceleration is highly feasible. Thanks to its powerful ability that triggers at the beginning of your upkeep, this card expands its strength and resilience once you’ve got a good number of lands. Perfect for landfall deck strategies, it’s a resource acceleration powerhouse when combined with fetch lands or spells that ramp your land count.

Instant Speed: While Scute Mob MTG card isn’t playable at instant speed, its growth ability rivals that of many instant speed plays. It grows significantly on every upkeep once you reach five lands. This constant threat can dictate an opponent’s moves, making them to think twice before making their game-changing decisions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Scute Mob card comes with its own unique setbacks. One of these is that you require ample inputs to keep it operational. Fail to meet these requirements, and the Mob loses its potency. In a heated duel, where resources can quickly dwindle, having to sustain this card can strain your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Scute Mob card is not one to be used ad-hoc. It possesses a specific mana cost that may limit its use to only certain decks. If your deck doesn’t produce enough green mana, integrating this card could potentially harm rather than bolster your play. Always consider your deck’s mana production before incorporating cards like Scute Mob.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Another disadvantage to the Scute Mob card is its high comparative mana cost. There are alternatives in the vast realm of Magic the Gathering that provide similar capabilities and powers with less mana expenditure. Players eager for efficiency and maximum output should bear this in mind when deciding whether to include Scute Mob in their deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scute Mob has the unique ability to fit into several types of decks. As a one drop creature with potential exponential growth, it suits any green deck looking for a late-game bomb or as a key piece in ramp strategies.

Combo Potential: Layering Scute Mob with cards that deliver +1/+1 counters or land fetches can turn this insect into an enormous threat. Not to mention, the synergies it presents in a landfall deck alongside fetch lands or proliferate mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Scute Mob maintains relevancy in the current metagame. For those running land heavy strategies or decks with the ramp sub-theme, Scute Mob can become an aggressive bomb that requires opponents to have an immediate answer or risk being overwhelmed.


How to beat

Scute Mob is an intriguing card within Magic: The Gathering. It belongs to the creature type – Insect, with a compelling growth mechanic. Every upkeep, if you have at least five lands, Scute Mob gets four +1/+1 counters. This mechanic can quickly turn Scute Mob into a colossal threat, especially in land-driven decks.

To overcome a Scute Mob, timing is crucial. Scute Mob starts with a power and toughness of one, making it susceptible to spells that can deal with small creatures. Spells like Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch it before it becomes problematic. Resource denial is also a viable tactic against Scute Mob. Cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can restrict your opponent’s land count, thereby limiting Scute Mob’s growth.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Scute Mob doesn’t have trample or any evasion ability. Hence, chump-blocking it every turn is a feasible option, especially in a creature-heavy deck. So, strategically timed removal, land destruction, and effective blocking measures are the keys to defeating the rapidly growing Scute Mob.


BurnMana Recommendations

Scute Mob emerges as a dynamic contender in MTG, versatile enough to tip the scales in your favor during intense gameplay. Its ability to swell in might with each land drop can turn the tides of battle, offering a strategic edge in the green-mana realm. If you’re considering enhancing your arsenal with this formidable insect, it’s time to strategize and optimize. Dive deeper with us as we explore top-notch deck builds, synergistic combos, and learn to leverage Scute Mob’s full potential. Experience the thrill of every draw, every play, and every victory – let’s master the art of the game together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scute Mob MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Scute Mob and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Scute Mob Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2018-08-09. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 1822003NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
22015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1612015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
32015-08-28Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. EldraziDDP 222015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
42017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 732015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
52018-08-09Commander 2018C18 1612015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scute Mob has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-10-01 Scute Mob’s ability has an “intervening ‘if’ clause.” That means (1) the ability won’t trigger at all unless you control five or more lands as your upkeep starts, and (2) the ability will do nothing if you control fewer than five lands by the time it resolves.