What is the difference between mutate on top and bottom?

What is the Difference Between Mutate on Top and Bottom?

In Magic: The Gathering, mutate is a powerful mechanic that allows you to merge two creatures into one, creating a more formidable creature with the characteristics of the top creature. However, there are two ways to mutate a creature: on top or bottom. In this article, we will explore the difference between these two methods and what they entail.

What is Mutate on Top?

Mutate on top occurs when you cast a creature spell that has the mutate ability. This ability allows you to choose a creature card on the battlefield and merge it with the creature you are casting. The resulting creature will have the characteristics of the top creature, including its power, toughness, and abilities.

Here are the key points to remember when mutating on top:

• Choose a creature on the battlefield: You can choose any creature on the battlefield to merge with the creature you are casting.
• Merge the creatures: The chosen creature is exiled, and the top creature is transformed into the new creature.
• New creature characteristics: The resulting creature has the characteristics of the top creature, including its power, toughness, and abilities.

What is Mutate on Bottom?

Mutate on bottom occurs when you cast a creature spell that has the mutate ability on top of another creature card. This ability allows you to merge the two creatures into one, creating a new creature with the characteristics of the top creature.

Here are the key points to remember when mutating on bottom:

• Casting on top of a creature: You can cast a creature spell with mutate on top of another creature card.
• Merge the creatures: The top creature is exiled, and the bottom creature is transformed into the new creature.
• New creature characteristics: The resulting creature has the characteristics of the top creature, including its power, toughness, and abilities.

Key Differences Between Mutate on Top and Bottom

Here are some key differences between mutate on top and bottom:

• Choose a creature or cast on top: In mutate on top, you choose a creature on the battlefield, while in mutate on bottom, you cast a creature spell on top of another creature card.
• Exiling or transforming: In mutate on top, the chosen creature is exiled, while in mutate on bottom, the top creature is exiled, and the bottom creature is transformed.
• New creature characteristics: Both mutate on top and bottom result in a new creature with the characteristics of the top creature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mutate on top and mutate on bottom are two ways to merge creatures in Magic: The Gathering. While the mechanics of each are similar, there are key differences between the two. Mutate on top allows you to choose a creature on the battlefield and merge it with the creature you are casting, while mutate on bottom allows you to cast a creature spell on top of another creature card. By understanding the differences between these two mechanics, you can make more informed decisions and improve your gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if I mutate a creature that is already mutated?
A: If you mutate a creature that is already mutated, the resulting creature will have the characteristics of the top creature.

Q: Can I mutate a land?
A: No, you cannot mutate a land. Mutate only applies to creature cards.

Q: Can I mutate a creature that is tapped?
A: Yes, you can mutate a creature that is tapped. The mutating process does not affect the creature’s tapped status.

Table: Mutate on Top vs Mutate on Bottom

References

• Magic: The Gathering – Mutate
• Vintageisthenewold.com – Mutate on Top and Bottom
• Reddit.com – r/magicTCG – Mutate on Top and Bottom