Chameleon Colossus MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Shapeshifter
Abilities Changeling,Protection
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Efficient mana cost paired with explosive power growth potential characterizes this adaptable creature.
  2. Instant speed size boosting and evasion from black spells make it a resilient threat.
  3. Demands careful mana allocation, potentially shaping players’ tactical decisions.

Text of card

Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.) Protection from black : Chameleon Colossus gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is its power.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Chameleon Colossus provides an edge in your deck by being elusive to targeted removals due to its Protean nature, which can shift to match any creature type. This adaptability can potentially create unexpected combos and synergies, indirectly contributing to card advantage with its versatile battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly provide acceleration, its four mana cost for a 4/4 is an efficient rate. However, its power to double its size by spending two green mana lends itself to explosive turns, particularly in decks that generate large amounts of mana, transforming what was a fair cost into a formidable threat.

Instant Speed: Its ability to double in power and toughness is at instant speed, enabling you to surprise an opponent during combat or in response to removal. The Chameleon Colossus can suddenly become an 8/8 or larger, which not only protects it from many damage-based board wipes but also turns it into an unexpected blocker or an aggressive attacker during opponents’ turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Chameleon Colossus does not have a direct discard requirement, the need to keep green mana open for its pump ability may pressure players to hold cards back, reducing hand flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Chameleon Colossus demands a double green mana cost, which might deter inclusion in multicolored decks where mana fixing is essential, potentially limiting its play to mono-green or two-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a four mana cost creature, Chameleon Colossus straddles the line in mana curves. Considering its mana-intensive activation ability, some players may opt for other creatures or cards that have a more immediate impact on the game state without further investment.


Reasons to Include Chameleon Colossus in Your Collection

Versatility: Chameleon Colossus is a flexible addition to any deck seeking a robust creature feature. Its ability to become unblockable by creatures of a particular color makes it a fit in any meta where color-specific creatures dominate.

Combo Potential: As a shapeshifter, this card’s changeling ability ensures it can synergize with various tribal effects. Moreover, its power-doubling ability can be combined with other buffs or effects for an exponential increase in threat level.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where black removal spells are prevalent, Chameleon Colossus stands tall. Immunity to black spells shields it from many common removal methods, making it an enduring presence on the board in such metas.


How to beat

Chameleon Colossus is a unique powerhouse in the realm of MTG, celebrated for its shapeshifter abilities and innate protection from black. As a formidable four-mana creature, it proudly stands as a threat that can adapt and grow in power swiftly. To effectively tackle this giant, one must think strategically, focusing on colorless spells or non-black removal tools like Path to Exile or Oblivion Ring, which provide a color-agnostic solution to the Colossus’s evasion.

Control is key when dealing with the Colossus. Ensuring that the battlefield sway is in your favor with cards such as Counterspell to disrupt plays and prevent the Colossus from landing on the board is crucial. Board wipes like Wrath of God also evade its protection, clearing the way for a more manageable game state.

Another brilliant tactic is to surpass the Colossus’s defenses by compelling it into unfavorable trades or managing the combat phase cunningly. Utilizing versatile creatures that can block and survive or overpower it in combat ensures that this chameleon doesn’t dictate the battle’s tempo. Remember, while the Colossus can blend in, it can’t hide from a well-planned strategy.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic depths of MTG with Chameleon Colossus, a versatile powerhouse in your arsenal. Adaptable and daunting, this card ensures that you remain one step ahead, capable of swinging matches in your favor with its elusive nature and impressive growth potential. Its strength lies not only in its formidable presence but also in its synergy with a raft of deck types and strategies. For those looking to strengthen their gameplay with adaptable might and meta-relevant tact, incorporating Chameleon Colossus into your collection is a wise move. Curious to uncover more strategic gems and elevate your deck? Step this way to enhance your MTG prowess with us.


Cards like Chameleon Colossus

Chameleon Colossus holds a unique spot among power-boosting creatures in Magic: The Gathering. As a comparison, take Llanowar Avatar that adapts to the number of forests you control. Although this card presents a consistent strength increase, it lacks the immediate doubling of power and protection from black that Chameleon Colossus offers.

Another analogous creature is Adaptive Automaton, which can be a boon for tribal synergy decks. While the Automaton grants a +1/+1 to all creatures of the chosen type, it does not afford the same opportunity for exponential power growth nor does it have the evasion against black spells and abilities.

Overlaying these elements, Chameleon Colossus stands out with its potential for an explosive increase in power, which can be a game-changer during later turns. In environments rich with black threats, its inherent protection can also be a definite advantage. This makes Chameleon Colossus a formidable choice for players aiming to dominate with a single, scalable threat.

Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - Magic 2012 (M12)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chameleon Colossus MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Archenemy, 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 Chameleon Colossus and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Chameleon Colossus Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 1162003normalblackDarrell Riche
22010-06-18ArchenemyARC 522003normalblackDarrell Riche
32013-08-23From the Vault: TwentyV13 162003normalblackDarrell Riche
42015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1782015normalblackDarrell Riche
52021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1532015normalblackDarrell Riche

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chameleon Colossus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks