Metamorphosis
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature.
Add X mana of any one color, where X is 1 plus the sacrificed creature's mana value. Spend this mana only to cast creature spells.
- CMC
- 1
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- G
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Arabian Nights
- Price
- $11.99
- EDHREC rank
- #9093
Metamorphosis lets you sacrifice a creature to add mana equal to its converted mana cost toward your next big spell — the catch is that mana can only go toward a creature. In a deck built around a haymaker like Etali, Primal Conqueror, that restriction barely registers; in a value-grind shell like Wernog, Rider's Chaplain, the narrowness kills it.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Etali, Primal Conqueror
Etali, Primal Conqueror costs nine mana, and Metamorphosis turns any mid-sized creature into a fast-forward button — sacrifice a five-drop on turn four and you're halfway there without touching your lands.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Metamorphosis is legal in Commander, Legacy, Vintage, Pauper, and Oathbreaker, but the formats where it actually sees play are narrow. Commander is the primary home: the singleton rule means you rarely have redundancy for this effect, but the format's large creatures and slower clocks make the payoff real. Legacy and Vintage have access to better fast-mana infrastructure and rarely need a creature-only ritual, so Metamorphosis doesn't make the cut in competitive lists. Pauper is the one non-Commander format worth a second look — if you're running a sacrifice-themed list with big creature payoffs and no access to modern ramp staples, the effect is at least functional.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Wernog, Rider's ChaplainMetamorphosisUnderworld BreachAcademy ManufactorGrinding Station
Infinite self-mill; Near-infinite ETB; Near-infinite LTB; Near-infinite mill; Near-infinite death triggers; Near-infinite sacrifice triggers; Near-infinite colored mana; Near-infinite Treasure tokens; Near-infinite Clue tokens; Near-infinite Food tokens; Near-infinite storm count; Near-infinite Clue tokens for opponents
View on Commander Spellbook ↗Budget Alternatives
Cheaper options that do most of the same work
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds and Priest of Titania both produce comparable bursts of green mana without requiring a sacrifice, which makes them strictly more flexible than Metamorphosis in most creature-heavy shells. If you specifically want the sacrifice angle, Manaform Hellkite and Phyrexian Altar serve overlapping roles in different directions — neither is a clean swap, but they're worth considering before spending on a narrow sorcery.
Price Context
Current price
$11.99 mid tier
At $11.99, Metamorphosis sits in the mid tier — expensive enough to feel like a deliberate include, cheap enough that it won't anchor a budget. The price is driven by age and scarcity rather than widespread demand, so it's not a card you buy speculatively; you buy it because your Etali deck specifically wants it.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- Wernog, Rider's Chaplain
- Etali, Primal Conqueror
- Underworld Breach
- Academy Manufactor
- Grinding Station
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.