Mutate and the Legend Rule: A Comprehensive Guide

No, mutate doesn’t inherently get around the legend rule. The legend rule applies if you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name. A mutated creature takes on the characteristics of the card on top. Therefore, if the top card of a mutated pile is a legendary creature, the legend rule does apply. However, the interaction between mutate and the legend rule is nuanced, and understanding the details can significantly impact your gameplay.

Understanding the Basics: Mutate and the Legend Rule

To properly dissect how these two game elements interact, it’s vital to define what they are. Mutate is a keyword action that allows you to combine creatures into a single permanent. You cast a creature spell for its mutate cost, targeting a non-Human creature you own. The new creature merges with the target, resulting in a single creature with all abilities of both (or all) merged creatures.

The legend rule states that if a player controls two or more legendary permanents with the same name, that player chooses one of them, and the rest are put into their owner’s graveyard. This rule is a state-based action, meaning it’s checked whenever a player would receive priority.

The key interaction occurs because a mutated creature inherits the characteristics of the creature card on top. This includes its name, types, abilities, mana cost (or color indicator), power, and toughness. If that top card is legendary, the entire mutated creature becomes a legendary permanent.

Therefore, if you have a legendary creature already in play, and you mutate another legendary creature with the same name onto the battlefield, whether on top or bottom, the legend rule will trigger. You’ll have to choose which legendary permanent to keep, and the other will be sent to the graveyard.

However, there’s a crucial loophole to exploit: If you mutate a legendary creature on top of an existing non-legendary creature, you can then cast another copy of the legendary creature from your hand without immediately triggering the legend rule. This is because the act of casting the spell doesn’t cause the legend rule to trigger; having two in play at the same time does. So, cast it, let it mutate on top, and only then will the rule check trigger.

Mutate Strategy: Placement Matters

Consider a scenario: You control a non-legendary creature and have two copies of a legendary creature, let’s say “Gisela, Blade of Goldnight,” in your hand.

• Scenario 1: Mutate on Top: You mutate one Gisela onto your non-legendary creature. The resulting creature is now a legendary Gisela, Blade of Goldnight. You can then cast the second Gisela for its normal mana cost and mutate it on top of the existing mutated Gisela. The legend rule won’t cause you to lose both.

• Scenario 2: Mutate Underneath: You mutate one Gisela underneath your non-legendary creature. The resulting creature now has the non-legendary creature on top with Gisela’s abilities underneath. If you then cast the second Gisela, the legend rule will trigger as both legendary creatures are in play at the same time.

This is how you can utilize the mechanics to your advantage.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Mutate

Here are some frequently asked questions about the mutate mechanic and its interactions:

Does mutate get around summoning sickness?

The mutated creature is not affected by summoning sickness as long as the base part wasn’t.

What happens if a mutate target dies?

If a mutated creature leaves the battlefield, all of its components go to the appropriate zone. So if it dies, each card ends up in the graveyard.

What is the difference between mutate and mutate all?

This is specific to R programming. mutate() adds new variables while retaining old variables to a data frame. transmute() adds new variables and removes old ones from a data frame. mutate_all() changes every variable in a data frame simultaneously.

Does the legendary rule only apply to creatures?

No. The legendary rule applies to any permanent with the legendary supertype: artifacts, creatures, enchantments, planeswalkers, and lands.

What happens if you copy a legendary creature?

The Legend Rule is a State-Based Action. Immediately after your Clone enters the Battlefield as a Copy of the Legendary Creature you control, you will control 2x Legendary Permanents with the same name. You choose one, and the other(s) are put into their owner’s Graveyards.

What happens if you blink a mutate creature?

All the components return separately. The mutated creature is exiled, then becomes separate objects. When they are returned, the individual creatures that made up the mutation enter the battlefield.

Does mutate trigger cast triggers?

Yes, even if it’s the same text twice. If you mutate onto a creature that is basically a stack of mutate creatures, you get all the triggers.

What happens if you bounce a mutated creature?

All mutated creatures return to hand.

What does it mean when a card says the legend rule doesn’t apply?

The answer is quite simple: cards that say the legend rule doesn’t apply allow you to have more than one legendary permanent with the same name in play at once. This effect is very rare and can be quite powerful.

Does legend rule apply before ETB triggers?

As I understand it, due to the legend rule, I need to sacrifice additional copies of legendary permanents when state based actions are checked, and therefore before their ETB triggers go on the stack.

Does the legend rule apply to Sakashima the imposter?

Sakashima ignores the legend rule because it keeps its own name, but the planeswalkers rule looks at the subtype.

What happens if you mutate on top of a legendary creature?

That means that if you mutate on top of a legendary creature, you can cast it again (if you have another copy in your hand) without it being affected by the legend rule. If you mutate under a legendary creature, it’s still legal to cast another copy, but it’s usually not such a good idea.

Are planeswalkers affected by legendary rule?

All planeswalkers have supertype “legendary” and are subject to the “legend rule”. Planeswalkers with the same subtypes can exist under your control as long as they are not of the same name.

Can I choose legendary as a creature type?

No. Legendary is a supertype, which is distinct from a subtype.

Do mutate triggers stack?

Yes, you absolutely can. When you add an additional mutate card on top of a stack of mutate cards, you may get to trigger some of them (most of them) again.

Exploring Deeper: Beyond the Basics

While the core interaction is straightforward, the real fun begins when you consider other effects and card interactions. Certain cards, like “Mirror Gallery”, completely remove the legend rule from the game. If such a card is in play, you can control multiple legendary permanents with the same name, making mutate a powerful way to stack abilities without the downside of sacrificing creatures.

Furthermore, tokens can interact interestingly with mutate and the legend rule. If a token has the same name as a legendary creature you control, the legend rule applies to it just as it would to a card. However, tokens are exiled when they leave the battlefield, preventing them from clogging up your graveyard. The Games Learning Society is a great resource to learn more about how complex card game interactions relate to learning. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Finally, remember that the order in which you mutate is crucial. Carefully consider the abilities you want on top and underneath. Plan your plays wisely, and you can turn the seemingly restrictive legend rule into a tactical advantage with the mutate mechanic.

Mutate is a mechanic that is powerful, rewarding strategic thinking and creative deck building. Understanding these nuances can elevate your gameplay and open up entirely new strategies.