Surgeon General Commander MTG Card
2020-02-29 - Number 72
2022-10-07 - Number 42
Text of card
Whenever you augment, enchant, or mutate a creature you control, draw a card. : Add , , , , or .
Likes: augmentation, fluffy animals, creative templating.
Cards like Surgeon General Commander
Surgeon General Commander stands out in the realm of creature spells for its unique adaptability and the quirky charm it brings to the game. It draws parallels with Experiment Kraj, another creature that thrives on the powers of other creatures. Both cards are designed around the concept of grafting abilities and stats, but Surgeon General Commander introduces a whimsical twist with the ability to graft keywords not only from creatures on the battlefield but from outside the game altogether.
In the sphere of creature utility, Odric, Lunarch Marshal also shares the theme of spreading abilities among creatures. Odric deftly grants all the abilities of each creature under your control to the others, however, it limits this sharing to combat phases only. The Surgeon General Commander, in contrast, offers a continuous possibility of ability augmentation, including during opponents’ turns.
Evaluating these cards, Surgeon General Commander is a delightful choice for Commander decks, especially for players who value creativity and surprise. It’s not just about the stats and abilities it gathers, but the joy in expressing playfulness in a match, highlighting the inventiveness offered in the landscape of creature spells.
Cards similar to Surgeon General Commander by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Surgeon General Commander not only brings intrinsic value as a creature card, but its ability to potentially craft numerous Clue, Food, and Treasure tokens gives its controller repeated opportunities to draw cards, create life, and ramp mana, thus maintaining an upper hand in card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Thanks to the varied token generation, Surgeon General Commander offers an impressive degree of resource acceleration. By utilizing the tokens it creates, players can significantly boost their mana resources and effectively outpace their opponents over the course of the game.
Instant Speed: Although the Surgeon General Commander itself isn’t an instant, the tokens it produces can be utilized at instant speed. This flexible resource management enables crafty plays and ensures that you can adapt to an ever-changing battlefield on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A tricky aspect of Surgeon General Commander is that to activate certain abilities, you may have to part with a valuable card in your hand. This can set back your game plan, especially if your hand size is dwindling and you’re counting on all your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card comes with a specific mana cost that includes multiple colors, necessitating a well-structured mana base to cast it consistently. Players running mono-color or even two-color decks might find it challenging to accommodate Surgeon General Commander without significant alterations to their mana base, potentially affecting the deck’s consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Surgeon General Commander offers a unique set of abilities, its higher mana cost can be a drawback. There are other commanders that bring powerful effects to the table at a lower mana cost, allowing players to execute their strategies sooner and with more mana flexibility during critical turns.
Reasons to Include Surgeon General Commander in Your Collection
Versatility: Surgeon General Commander is a unique card that seamlessly integrates into a variety of deck builds, particularly those which prioritize creature-based strategies or focus on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to adapt creatures across the battlefield makes it a multipurpose tool in any player’s arsenal.
Combo Potential: The card excels at facilitating combos, given its capability to graft counters onto new creatures. This feature opens up possibilities for synergies with cards that thrive on counter manipulations, escalating the power level of your board exponentially.
Meta-Relevance: With metas that often fluctuate, having Surgeon General Commander on hand means you possess a card that can adjust and contend with various popular strategies. Its flexibility ensures that it remains a strong contender across different competitive environments.
How to beat Surgeon General Commander
Surgeon General Commander is a unique MTG card that can be a game-changer in the format of Commander. As a multifaceted creature, it possesses the ability to augment creatures with keyword counters, thereby creating customized threats on the battlefield. When facing this card, it’s essential to remember that its true strength lies in its utility, granting various abilities to other creatures.
To combat Surgeon General Commander effectively, prioritize cards that can neutralize abilities, such as those with the “silence” effect. Additionally, employ strategies that limit the number of creatures your opponent can manage, such as removal spells or board wipes. It’s also beneficial to have reactive spells ready, as Surgeon General Commander requires a diverse board presence to fully exploit its potential. By dismantling your opponent’s creature base, you strip the card of its power, making it considerably less impactful.
Finally, making good use of grave manipulation can also be a key strategy. By disrupting the creature pool from which Surgeon General Commander derives its counters, you can maintain control of the game. Adjusting your approach to focus on these angles improves your chances of overcoming the adaptive tactics Surgeon General Commander brings to the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Surgeon General Commander MTG card by a specific set like Unsanctioned and The List (Unfinity Foil Edition), 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 Surgeon General Commander and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Surgeon General Commander Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-02-29 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-02-29 | Unsanctioned | UND | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Simon Dominic | |
| 2 | 2022-10-07 | The List (Unfinity Foil Edition) | ULST | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Simon Dominic |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Surgeon General Commander card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-02-29 | Mutate is a keyword from the future! Unless you’re reading this after it’s been released, in which case it’s … |
| 2020-02-29 | Surgeon Commander’s color identity is all five colors, thanks to the mana symbols in its rules text. It can be included only in five-color Commander decks. Creative templating, indeed. |