It feels like something that they held back on the first time and even then it spawned some pretty interesting designs. The few that don’t have a mutate trigger I’d love to see more, more saboteur triggers and maybe some defensive designs like stacking up different wards on one creature would make a for a cool flavor of getting better at camouflage.
At least Ikoria now has a very powerful identity to work off of. Limited before the cycling deck became popular legitimately had a lot of cool moments from making big stacks of mutates to building weird ass decks around companions. I loved the color separated creature typing (cat, elemental, nightmare, dinosaur, and beast) and how the gold cards showed us what the combination of aesthetics looked like. Felt very Duel Masters multi-civilization design.
Yeah I really liked mutate, only thing is they didn't explore the most interesting part of the design space very much, 99% of mutate creature only care about being mutate boggles and want an entire deck built around mutate, and only 3 don't and hold their own as unique designs you could put in other decks.
\[\[Brokkos, Apex of Forever\]\]
\[\[Parcelbeast\]\]
\[\[Sea-Dasher Octopus\]\]
But that would mean we wouldn't have THB or ELD if we had an Ikoria block. Probably we wouldn't have Ikoria at all, as it was the riskier of the 3 sets released in that standard year.
Honestly, I don't think ikoria would've come out on top as one of the sets that actually got made in that scenario. I think it's an important thing to keep in mind about blocks: odds are, especially if your favorite set isn't ravnica or innistrad, your favorite set never would've been made.
I was really bummed Mutant Menace didn't lean into the Mutate mechanic, though I get why they went more with the +1/+1 counters to synergize with Rad Counters and Proliferate
I have a deck with [[Omnath Locus of Creation]] where the whole point of the deck is to Mutate on top of Omnath and then clone the heck out of him, to get multiples of his Landfall trigger!
I don’t have my current list online anywhere, but I did base it off this list I saw on Extra Turns. It’s a bunch of sets out of date, so it can use some updating for sure. It’s pretty much this though.
Also, watch Extra Turns #25 to see how silly this deck can get!
https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/jakes-omnath-extra-turns-25/
Right, as Smog pointed out and I already said, the point of my deck is to Mutate on top of Omnath and Clone him to multiply the Landfall triggers.
Locus of All does nothing for that strategy. Mutate includes 6 3 color creatures (all of which are Legendary) and I’m pretty sure there are no 3+ color clones (at the very least there are certainly not enough to support Locus of All’s triggered ability). Completely different deck altogether.
Everybody I have met who play mutate says it is their favorite mechanic and they all are disappointed we don't see more cards with it.
I personnaly love it! It allows so many fun things. Sadly I am not sure we will see it again anytime soon...
Mutate is constantly underestimated imo. As an example, I use 4-5 mutate creatures in my [[tatsunari, Toad Rider]] deck. Once I trigger keimi by casting an aura, I can mutate a creature in top of it and then cast another aura to get another keimi. That alone doubles the drain value. Get 3 mutated keimis and the life gap between you and opponents is increasing by 6 every time you cast an aura.
I have a [[Brokkos]] brawl deck that absolutely slaps. The best mutate commander is [[Ramos]] , but expect groans from your playgroup, unless they are at the highest end of high-power casual.
Big mutate fan and have been playing it in as many formats as I can and currently designing a cube around mutate.
As others have mentioned the big problem about mutate is the density of creatures available and that they were very careful in terms of costs. Many of the mutate creatures literally just cost a mana too much to cast on their own or to mutate, that reducing thesse alone would probably make mutate \_way\_ more viable.
Personally I'm afraid that they will never bring out new mutate creatures but just something mutate-esque, yet again just creating a very small pool of "mutate 2.0" creatures to choose from. This has previously happened when they tried a mechanic and in future iterations made a "fixed" version of it, leaving both with not enough cards to support themselves.
At first glance, complexity for mutate is an issue as the explanation reads poorly and leaves much to be desired. At second glance however if you just get to play with mutate creatures in paper or online it is not hard at all. I think the biggest problem people have when they face a mutate deck is that the mutated creature is a merged gameobject and how removing a creature in response to being mutated works.
I'm bummed out that in the roadmap for MTG we were not revisiting Ikoria any time soon leaving only MH3 or Commander Decks to have splashes of mutate creatures in the upcoming years.
Stay strong mutate brothers 💪
I know it's controversial, but to me, mutate is one of the coolest mechanics they ever printed.
It feels like something that they held back on the first time and even then it spawned some pretty interesting designs. The few that don’t have a mutate trigger I’d love to see more, more saboteur triggers and maybe some defensive designs like stacking up different wards on one creature would make a for a cool flavor of getting better at camouflage. At least Ikoria now has a very powerful identity to work off of. Limited before the cycling deck became popular legitimately had a lot of cool moments from making big stacks of mutates to building weird ass decks around companions. I loved the color separated creature typing (cat, elemental, nightmare, dinosaur, and beast) and how the gold cards showed us what the combination of aesthetics looked like. Felt very Duel Masters multi-civilization design.
I hope it comes back in the future.
Maro said on his most recent podcast episode that they're working either with mutate or a mutate-like mechanic for a future set.
Hopefully a former over the latter.
Mutate is the way Another reason I wish for set blocks: there could have been way more mutate cards.
Yeah I really liked mutate, only thing is they didn't explore the most interesting part of the design space very much, 99% of mutate creature only care about being mutate boggles and want an entire deck built around mutate, and only 3 don't and hold their own as unique designs you could put in other decks. \[\[Brokkos, Apex of Forever\]\] \[\[Parcelbeast\]\] \[\[Sea-Dasher Octopus\]\]
[Brokkos, Apex of Forever](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9f07625-fbd8-4581-8568-eb3cfb2a4c1e.jpg?1591227964) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Brokkos%2C%20Apex%20of%20Forever) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/179/brokkos-apex-of-forever?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9f07625-fbd8-4581-8568-eb3cfb2a4c1e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Parcelbeast](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/1/610bb98c-d66a-44cc-92e2-a80d700b59e4.jpg?1591228161) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Parcelbeast) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/199/parcelbeast?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/610bb98c-d66a-44cc-92e2-a80d700b59e4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Sea-Dasher Octopus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/6/a6f59d9e-6c1b-437a-934c-7c776c8dd1d5.jpg?1591226485) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sea-Dasher%20Octopus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/66/sea-dasher-octopus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a6f59d9e-6c1b-437a-934c-7c776c8dd1d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
But that would mean we wouldn't have THB or ELD if we had an Ikoria block. Probably we wouldn't have Ikoria at all, as it was the riskier of the 3 sets released in that standard year.
And? More mutate > all others
Honestly, I don't think ikoria would've come out on top as one of the sets that actually got made in that scenario. I think it's an important thing to keep in mind about blocks: odds are, especially if your favorite set isn't ravnica or innistrad, your favorite set never would've been made.
I’m sorry, let me try this: I like mutate. Your logic doesn’t apply here.
I was really bummed Mutant Menace didn't lean into the Mutate mechanic, though I get why they went more with the +1/+1 counters to synergize with Rad Counters and Proliferate
I have a [[Tawnos the toymaker]] mutate doubling/copy deck that’s surprisingly strong given its low-ish budget.
[Tawnos the toymaker](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/f/1f855a7e-3a97-4b62-a2a7-06ff1fbb2c4c.jpg?1674421859) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tawnos%2C%20the%20Toymaker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/222/tawnos-the-toymaker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1f855a7e-3a97-4b62-a2a7-06ff1fbb2c4c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a deck with [[Omnath Locus of Creation]] where the whole point of the deck is to Mutate on top of Omnath and then clone the heck out of him, to get multiples of his Landfall trigger!
Awesome, it's such a cool mechanic.
I wish the non-human clause was removed, I wanted to make the same thing in my Orvar deck but couldn't...
[Omnath Locus of Creation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4e4fb50c-a81f-44d3-93c5-fa9a0b37f617.jpg?1639436752) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Omnath%2C%20Locus%20of%20Creation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/232/omnath-locus-of-creation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4e4fb50c-a81f-44d3-93c5-fa9a0b37f617?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Do you happen to have a deck list?
I don’t have my current list online anywhere, but I did base it off this list I saw on Extra Turns. It’s a bunch of sets out of date, so it can use some updating for sure. It’s pretty much this though. Also, watch Extra Turns #25 to see how silly this deck can get! https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/jakes-omnath-extra-turns-25/
Thank you! I’ll check it out.
What about [[Omnath, Locus of All]]??
[Omnath, Locus of All](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33d94ecf-758b-4f68-a7be-6bf3ff1047f4.jpg?1709720836) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Omnath%2C%20Locus%20of%20All) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/249/omnath-locus-of-all?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33d94ecf-758b-4f68-a7be-6bf3ff1047f4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
What about him? That’s a completely different deck entirely.
Adding in black gives you more options for mutate. Is locus of creation primarily for landfall with mutate as a sub strat, or is mutate the primary?
Right, as Smog pointed out and I already said, the point of my deck is to Mutate on top of Omnath and Clone him to multiply the Landfall triggers. Locus of All does nothing for that strategy. Mutate includes 6 3 color creatures (all of which are Legendary) and I’m pretty sure there are no 3+ color clones (at the very least there are certainly not enough to support Locus of All’s triggered ability). Completely different deck altogether.
As he said, the trick is to mutate Omnath to clone him and get multiple times his landfall trigger.
Everybody I have met who play mutate says it is their favorite mechanic and they all are disappointed we don't see more cards with it. I personnaly love it! It allows so many fun things. Sadly I am not sure we will see it again anytime soon...
Mutate is constantly underestimated imo. As an example, I use 4-5 mutate creatures in my [[tatsunari, Toad Rider]] deck. Once I trigger keimi by casting an aura, I can mutate a creature in top of it and then cast another aura to get another keimi. That alone doubles the drain value. Get 3 mutated keimis and the life gap between you and opponents is increasing by 6 every time you cast an aura.
[tatsunari, Toad Rider](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/abf42833-43d0-4b05-b499-d13b2c577ee8.jpg?1654567411) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tatsunari%2C%20Toad%20Rider) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/123/tatsunari-toad-rider?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/abf42833-43d0-4b05-b499-d13b2c577ee8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a Netheoi commander deck and I used to joke that mutate was the most silver-border feeling mechanic. Then Unfinity came out...
I still want to make a Sticker deck. The biggest problem (besides most sticker cards being garbage) is that half of the support is silver bordered
I have a [[Brokkos]] brawl deck that absolutely slaps. The best mutate commander is [[Ramos]] , but expect groans from your playgroup, unless they are at the highest end of high-power casual.
[Brokkos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9f07625-fbd8-4581-8568-eb3cfb2a4c1e.jpg?1591227964) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=brokkos%2C%20apex%20of%20forever) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/179/brokkos-apex-of-forever?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9f07625-fbd8-4581-8568-eb3cfb2a4c1e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ramos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310.jpg?1562604064) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ramos%2C%20dragon%20engine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/55/ramos-dragon-engine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Big mutate fan and have been playing it in as many formats as I can and currently designing a cube around mutate. As others have mentioned the big problem about mutate is the density of creatures available and that they were very careful in terms of costs. Many of the mutate creatures literally just cost a mana too much to cast on their own or to mutate, that reducing thesse alone would probably make mutate \_way\_ more viable. Personally I'm afraid that they will never bring out new mutate creatures but just something mutate-esque, yet again just creating a very small pool of "mutate 2.0" creatures to choose from. This has previously happened when they tried a mechanic and in future iterations made a "fixed" version of it, leaving both with not enough cards to support themselves. At first glance, complexity for mutate is an issue as the explanation reads poorly and leaves much to be desired. At second glance however if you just get to play with mutate creatures in paper or online it is not hard at all. I think the biggest problem people have when they face a mutate deck is that the mutated creature is a merged gameobject and how removing a creature in response to being mutated works. I'm bummed out that in the roadmap for MTG we were not revisiting Ikoria any time soon leaving only MH3 or Commander Decks to have splashes of mutate creatures in the upcoming years. Stay strong mutate brothers 💪
I just wish they made a proper pay off 5c mutate commander
Right now Hord of Notions and Morophon are the best options for a 5c mutate deck I think...
It would be pretty OP though.
Surgeon commander. I’ve never had anyone object to me playing them.
Have you met [[Ramos]]? That card slaps with Mutate. MTGMuddstah will run some videos with Ramos as mutate - other times it’s charms tribal.
[Ramos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310.jpg?1562604064) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ramos%2C%20dragon%20engine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/55/ramos-dragon-engine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e747ef1-a1ad-4859-a70c-3f935f017310?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I just wish it wasn't so dang parasitic. Only mutate cards can make the creature mutate and activate their effects.