Unnatural Predation MTG Card

A permanent +1/+1 counter boosts combat advantage and affects long-term board state. Instant speed allows for unforeseen combat tricks, enhancing both offense and defense. Limited to green mana decks, which constrains cross-color deck building potential.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin Besieged
Set code	MBS
Number	93
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Shelly Wan

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.

"Domination by the strongest—that is all that matters in the Tangle now." —Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger

Cards like Unnatural Predation

Unnatural Predation is a swift piece within the arsenal of green combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering. Sharing a kinship with Titanic Growth, both cards offer creatures a temporary boost. Unnatural Predation, with its modest one green mana cost, grants a creature a +1/+1 increase and bestows the invaluable ability of trample until end of turn. This can be pivotal for dealing those extra points of damage to an opponent.

When considering alternatives, Giant Growth is often a go-to comparison. For the same mana investment, it delivers a more significant boost of +3/+3 to a creature. What it lacks, however, is the trample provided by Unnatural Predation, which can be a critically deciding factor in bypassing blockers. Then we encounter Might of the Masses, another similar spell that calculates its buff based on the number of creatures you control, potentially surpassing the impact of a straightforward +3/+3.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Unnatural Predation in green decks paints it as a valuable asset for those decisive moments in battle. Its ability to tip the scales with trample separates it from other single-mana combat tricks, validating its specialized role on the MTG battlefield.

Cards similar to Unnatural Predation by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boosts a creature with a permanent +1/+1 counter, offering an enduring edge on the battlefield and tipping combat outcomes in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Enhancing a creature’s power helps expedite the clock against your opponent, pressuring them and potentially reducing the number of turns required to secure victory.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Unnatural Predation at instant speed gives players the flexibility to surprise opponents during combat, making it a versatile tool for both offense and defense.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Unnatural Predation doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded, being a low-impact card late in the game can be tantamount to a discard due to its reduced effectiveness over time.

Specific Mana Cost: Unnatural Predation requires green mana for its casting cost. This restricts its inclusion strictly to green decks or those with green mana accessibility, which could limit its versatility in a variety of builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its low absolute mana cost, when evaluated against its single-turn, temporary boost effect, Unnatural Predation can be less mana-efficient compared to other permanent or more impactful buff spells in MTG.

Reasons to Include Unnatural Predation in Your Collection

Versatility: Unnatural Predation is a flexible card that boosts creature power and can be slipped into any green deck. It’s particularly useful in decks that swarm with creatures, as it gives a much-needed edge during combat.

Combo Potential: Its low mana cost and instant speed allow it to be a surprise element in combat or in combination with cards that benefit from creatures dealing combat damage or getting stronger.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggression can turn the tides, Unnatural Predation can be a game-changer. It’s especially potent in fast-paced games and against opponents who might not expect a sudden increase in creature power.

How to beat

Unnatural Predation is a green instant common card that offers creatures a quick boost in strength and the essential trample ability, allowing for potentially unblockable damage. It’s generally used in creature-heavy green decks that aim to end games quickly by overpowering the opponent’s defenses. Despite its tactical advantages, there are straightforward ways to counter this card.

A key strategy is to maintain removal spells in your hand, which can eliminate the threat before the boost from Unnatural Predation becomes relevant. Instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can deal with the offending creature before it can benefit from the trample effect. Another approach is to use counterspells to stop Unnatural Predation directly, cards like Mana Leak or Negate work well here. Limiting the number of creatures your opponent has can also reduce the efficiency of their buff spells, so board wipes or spot removal are useful tools to have.

Ultimately, while Unnatural Predation can enhance a creature’s offensive potential immensely, its impact is mitigated by timely removal, efficient counterplays, and strategic creature control. Understanding and anticipating when to disrupt your opponent’s play will keep the predatory nature of this card in check.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unnatural Predation MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Unnatural Predation and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unnatural Predation has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal