Does Mutate Give a Creature Summoning Sickness?
Summoning sickness is a phenomenon in the Magic: The Gathering world that many players are familiar with, but few fully understand. It’s a complex issue that can affect the behavior of creatures on the battlefield. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of summoning sickness and how it relates to the mutate ability.
No, It Won’t
The straightforward answer to the question is no. Mutating a creature does not give it summoning sickness. The mutate ability simply changes the characteristics of the creature, merging two or more permanent spells onto a single permanent. It doesn’t have any direct effect on summoning sickness.
But Why is This the Case?
The reason why mutating a creature doesn’t give it summoning sickness lies in the way summoning sickness works. Summoning sickness is a static ability that can only be gained through a creature’s creation. Creatures don’t lose summoning sickness through game state changes. It’s a fixed property that’s tied to the creature’s creation.
Mutate, on the other hand, is an ability that modifies the characteristics of the creature. It changes the creature’s properties but doesn’t alter its status. Therefore, since mutate doesn’t change the creature’s creation or game state, it can’t grant or remove summoning sickness.
What Happens if I Mutate a Creature with Summoning Sickness?
If you mutate a creature that already has summoning sickness, the new characteristics will still apply. The creature’s summoning sickness will not be lost or gained due to the mutate ability.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes, there is an exception to the rule. If a creature is morphing (face-down on the battlefield) and gains summoning sickness, and then you mutate it while it’s face-down, the summoning sickness will be removed when you flip it face-up as part of the mutate effect.
When Does a Creature Gain Summoning Sickness?
To further clarify, creatures gain summoning sickness in the following situations:
- When you play a creature spell, and it enters the battlefield
- When you manipulate a creature that’s already on the battlefield, like casting a creature spell targeting an existing creature
- When you transform a planeswalker into a creature
- When a token enters the battlefield
The Takeaway
In summary, mutating a creature doesn’t give it summoning sickness. Summoning sickness is a fixed property of a creature that’s gained at creation and can only be removed under specific circumstances. Mutate changes a creature’s properties, but doesn’t alter its game state or summoning sickness status.
By understanding this concept, you’ll be better equipped to navigate complex situations on the battlefield, ensuring that your creatures are performing to their full potential. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, a grasp of summoning sickness and the mutate ability will help you dominate the game.