What it does
Mutate lets you cast certain creatures for an alternative cost to merge them with a non-Human creature you control, forming one creature with combined abilities. You choose to put the mutating card on top or bottom of the target; the topmost card determines name, power, and toughness, while all cards contribute their abilities. The merged pile is still a single creature that keeps any counters, Auras, and equipment.
The biggest misconception: mutating isn't casting a creature spell that "enters the battlefield." The creature was already there, so it doesn't re-trigger ETB effects—but it does trigger "whenever this mutates" abilities. Also, it's one permanent; if it dies, all cards go to the graveyard together.
In Commander, mutate stacks value by piling ability after ability onto one body, dodging summoning sickness if the base creature was already in play.
Iconic cards with Mutate
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