Unstable Hulk MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Mutant |
| Abilities | Morph |
| Released | 2003-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legions |
| Set code | LGN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 115 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spencer |
Key Takeaways
- Unstable Hulk’s mutation can repeatedly amass creatures, ensuring persistent battlefield dominance.
- Demands for discarding and a specific mana cost limit its deck versatility and utility.
- A robust inclusion in collections for diverse strategies and its potential to synergize for game-winning combos.
Text of card
Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Unstable Hulk is turned face up, it gets +6/+6 and gains trample until end of turn. You skip your next turn.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unstable Hulk shines by potentially multiplying your forces on the battlefield. Each time it mutates, the card’s ability can be triggered again, effectively replenishing your board presence and applying constant pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By leveraging the mutate mechanic, you can maximize your resource efficiency. Mutate onto existing creatures enhances the field without the need for additional mana spent on casting creatures from hand, allowing you to accelerate your gameplay and expend resources on other strategic moves.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Unstable Hulk is amplified by its capacity to interact at instant speed. This allows you to adapt to the fluid dynamics of MTG matches, making key strategic plays during your opponent’s turn and catching them off guard with sudden, impactful mutations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unstable Hulk demands card sacrifices, necessitating that you discard another card upon playing. This can deplete your hand, leaving you vulnerable if you’re already struggling with card availability.
Specific Mana Cost: It’s locked into a precise mana combination, requiring both red and green. This makes it less flexible, limiting its integration into multicolored decks that may not lean heavily on these particular mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of a somewhat steep mana cost for its size and effect, you might ponder its efficiency compared to other creatures in the same mana range. This could lead to it being overlooked when building mana curve-conscious decks.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Unstable Hulk is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its flexible nature allows it to serve as an impactful creature in both aggressive and control environments, adapting to the player’s strategy needs.
Combo Potential: With its potential to create game-changing plays, Unstable Hulk acts as a catalyst in combo setups. Its unique abilities can synergize with other cards, unlocking new levels of interaction and win conditions.
Meta-Relevance: Keeping an eye on the fluctuating metagame, Unstable Hulk holds its ground as a valuable asset. If creature-based strategies or decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects are prevalent, having Unstable Hulk in your collection could give you a competitive edge.
How to Overcome Unstable Hulk
Unstable Hulk provides a robust presence on the battlefield with its potential for sudden power increase, making it a card that can turn the tide of the game in a heartbeat. It’s challenging to respond to, but not impossible. The key lies in preparedness and timing.
When confronting an Unstable Hulk, instant-speed removal spells are your best friends. Utilize cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile to dispatch the Hulk before its power can be bolstered. Keep in mind the Hulk’s ability to grow; therefore, waiting until your opponent invests resources into it before removing it can leave them at a crucial disadvantage. Moreover, counter magic plays a critical role in keeping Unstable Hulk off the battlefield entirely. A well-timed Mana Leak or Counterspell can neutralize the threat before it even begins.
Another effective strategy is to control the game state by reducing the chances for the Hulk to be targeted. Ensnaring spells that prevent your opponent from initiating combos or targeting their creatures will hinder their plans and give you the upper hand. By carefully managing your resources and anticipating your opponent’s moves, you can eliminate the Unstable Hulk card from their arsenal, ensuring your path to victory.
Cards like Unstable Hulk
Unstable Hulk is an intriguing part of the vast creature catalogue in Magic: The Gathering. Looking at creatures with the mutate mechanic, it shares similarities with cards like Auspicious Starrix. Both provide the option to mutate and alter the battlefield presence dramatically. However, unlike Auspicious Starrix, Unstable Hulk doesn’t guarantee additional permanents on the field, focusing instead on surprise damage.
Migratory Greathorn is another creature card that can mutate, offering a distinct benefit of ramping up your mana by fetching a basic land card onto the battlefield. Although Unstable Hulk doesn’t provide such direct mana acceleration, it compensates with potential for instant impact by dealing damage. Then comes Pouncing Shoreshark, yet another mutate contender. It boasts the ability to bounce an opponent’s creature on mutate, a different tactical advantage from Unstable Hulk’s brute force approach.
Ultimately, while comparing the myriad of mutate creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Unstable Hulk stands tall with unique features that can catch an opponent off-guard, leveraging the surprise element inherent to its design.
Cards similar to Unstable Hulk by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unstable Hulk MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Hulk and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unstable Hulk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unstable Hulk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield. |
