Mutant's Prey
Instant
Target creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it fights target creature an opponent controls. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
- CMC
- 1
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- G
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Dragon's Maze
- Price
- $0.10
- EDHREC rank
- #12170
Mutant's Prey trades a counter-bearing creature into a removal spell — one mana for a fight effect is an exceptional rate. The catch is the prerequisite: you need a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control, which limits it to dedicated synergy builds but makes it nearly unconditional removal in those shells.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Legolas, Master Archer
Legolas, Master Archer puts +1/+1 counters on creatures through its combat damage triggers, meaning Mutant's Prey is effectively a one-mana removal spell that slots naturally into the engine Legolas is already running.
Wolverine, Best There Is
Wolverine, Best There Is accumulates +1/+1 counters as a core mechanic, so Mutant's Prey turns that growing threat into a repeatable, dirt-cheap way to clear blockers or answer opposing creatures.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Mutant's Prey is narrow but genuinely powerful in the right shell — any deck that consistently has a counter on the board treats it as a one-mana removal spell, which is among the best rates green can ask for. Outside of Commander, it sees essentially no play in competitive formats like Modern or Pioneer, where fight spells face stiff competition and the counter prerequisite is a real liability without a dedicated synergy deck. Pauper is the one format worth watching: cheap interaction is at a premium at common, and any aggressive green deck running creatures that grow naturally could find a slot for it.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.10 bulk tier
At $0.10, Mutant's Prey is deep bulk — easy to pick up in trade binders or dollar boxes without thinking twice. Bulk commons with narrow applications rarely move in price, so don't expect this to appreciate; just grab copies when you need them.
Explore
Sources
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.