Unstable Mutation MTG Card
1993-12-17 - Number 22
1994-04-01 - Number 86
1994-04-01 - Number 86
1994-06-21 - Number 86
1995-04-01 - Number 110
1995-04-01 - Number 110
1997-03-24 - Number 131
2006-10-06 - Number 33
2018-12-07 - Number 80
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains +3/+3. Each round, put a -1/-1 counter on the creature during its controller's upkeep. These counters remain even if this enchantment is removed before the creature dies.
Cards like Unstable Mutation
Unstable Mutation is a unique aura that has been around in Magic: The Gathering since its early days. This card provides a significant boost with a plus three to power, an effect mirrored by Giant Growth, albeit temporarily. Unlike Unstable Mutation, Giant Growth doesn’t permanently alter a creature’s stats, as its effect lasts only until the end of the turn. Moreover, Unstable Mutation features a gradual decrease in benefits, providing a different strategic consideration compared to the immediacy of Giant Growth.
Another card that offers temporary stat enhancement is Brute Force, giving a creature a similar power increase with an additional toughness boost for a single turn. The defining difference is the lasting impact Unstable Mutation has over successive rounds, unlike Brute Force’s transient effect. Lastly, we have Invigorated Rampage, which either targets one creature for a larger boost or can alternatively be spread across two creatures, providing versatility but not the lasting presence that Unstable Mutation guarantees a single creature.
The lasting boost to creature power, even as it dwindles over time, makes Unstable Mutation a compelling choice in various MTG card strategies. It sets it apart from other combat tricks or enhancements by impacting the board in a way that can force opponents to adapt over multiple turns.
Cards similar to Unstable Mutation by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unstable Mutation may not directly grant card draws, yet it provides substantial prowess to a creature which can help secure card advantage by outclassing opposing creatures and threats on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: By significantly boosting a creature’s power for a minimal investment of only one blue mana, Unstable Mutation acts as a form of resource acceleration, enabling faster, more impactful plays and creating powerful pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Unstable Mutation is an Aura that’s not cast at instant speed, its effect can have immediate impact when timed properly, giving you the ability to surprise opponents during combat or before damage is assigned, akin to the benefits of instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Unstable Mutation doesn’t require a traditional discard, it does create a ticking time bomb for your creature. As the +3/+3 bonus diminishes over time, you’re essentially discarding the long-term utility of your creature for a short-term burst of power.
Specific Mana Cost: Committing to the single blue mana cost means that Unstable Mutation fits primarily in blue-centered or blue-compatible decks, potentially limiting its versatility among the broad array of deck archetypes available to players.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While one blue mana may seem low, the opportunity cost of playing Unstable Mutation can be high. The long-term detriment it causes to the enchanted creature means that in some cases, investing that mana into more permanent stat boosts or other control options may be more advantageous.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Unstable Mutation is a flexible enchantment that can be slotted into various aggressive decks, boosting creatures’ power significantly in the short term.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with creatures that benefit from temporary power boosts or with sacrificial mechanics, enabling powerful plays and surprising turnarounds.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are fast and the ability to quickly increase a creature’s power is key, Unstable Mutation shines by providing an immediate and substantial enhancement.
How to beat
Unstable Mutation is a classic aura in Magic: The Gathering that can temporarily turn any creature into a significant threat. Initially, it provides a substantial power boost, but with each turn, that power fades. Understanding its diminishing returns is the key to outmaneuvering it. Consider using removal spells at strategic moments. Instant-speed spells like Naturalize or Disenchant are perfect for this task—they can be cast in response to the aura’s application or just before a crucial combat phase to neutralize the boosted creature unexpectedly.
Adaptability in response is crucial. Chump blocking is also a valid strategy while waiting for the Mutation’s effects to diminish. Your opponent might hesitate to commit more resources to support a weakening creature, which can then be your cue to strike back. Having bounce spells, such as Unsummon, can reset the creature’s status, effectively countering the temporary benefits provided by Unstable Mutation. Patience plays a pivotal role, and knowing when to weather the storm or take decisive action will grant you victory against Unstable Mutation’s fleeting might.
Playing around Unstable Mutation involves anticipating the immediate power spike and counteracting it with timely responses. As the aura weakens, your window to reclaim control of the game widens, allowing your strategy to outlast its initial surge of strength.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unstable Mutation MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Revised 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 Unstable Mutation and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Unstable Mutation Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 22 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 2 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 86 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 3 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 86 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 4 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 86 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 5 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 110 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 6 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 110 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 131 | 1997 | Normal | White | Charles Gillespie | |
| 8 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 33 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 9 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 80 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unstable Mutation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unstable Mutation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-08-01 | The -1/-1 counters stay even if the Aura is removed, and the +3/+3 goes away when the Aura does. |