(PolymorphPolymorph | Art by Robert Bliss)

Presto Change-O?

Welcome to Too-Specific Top 10, where if there isn’t a category to rank our pet card at the top of, we’ll just make one up! (Did you know that ReweaveReweave is the only Arcane PolymorphPolymorph effect?)

Originally printed in Mirage, PolymorphPolymorph was iconic enough both as an image and a flavorful effect that it immediately caught on as a casual staple. It has since been color-shifted over to red, for the most part, with fewer effects like Mass PolymorphMass Polymorph being printed and being replaced with cards like Lukka, Coppercoat OutcastLukka, Coppercoat Outcast, Shifting ShadowShifting Shadow, and Dreamshaper ShamanDreamshaper Shaman, ultimately resulting in Magic 2021's almost identical TransmogrifyTransmogrify. This nearly identical color-shift seems like the final decision when it comes to PolymorphPolymorph effects being the mainstay of red.

As Commander players, however, we don't really have to care about the current state of the color pie as much. Being able to draw from all of Magic's history allows us to do all sorts of things that colors shouldn't be able to do, from Sylvan LibrarySylvan Library to Psionic BlastPsionic Blast. Which raises the question: what are the most popular PolymorphPolymorph effects?

Top 10 Polymorph Effects

Flavorfully, it's very easy to determine what a polymorph is: a thing is made into another thing. But mechanically, that can be done in any number of ways. Are the famous staples of Beast WithinBeast Within and Generous GiftGenerous Gift examples of a polymorph effect? Flavorfully they are, without a doubt. You're taking a permanent and making it into a token. Given that the end goal is clearly known, however, these PongifyPongify effects don't seem to have the same intent as the famous initial example of PolymorphPolymorph. Rolling the dice and seeing what you end up with seems to be much more the intent of the original card and of the Polymorph Decks that have stemmed from that idea.

So, with that in mind, let's craft our criteria this week around the initial example, rather than the larger flavor of simple transformation.

Criteria: Cards that remove one or more other permanents from the battlefield, then replace it with another card somehow extracted from the top of the library. As is tradition, all results are ordered by EDHREC score.

10. PolymorphPolymorph

(1005 Inclusions, 0% of 227314 Decks)

Speaking of the original card, PolymorphPolymorph still sees a lot of play in the decks named after it. 91% of those playing blue, to be exact. While four mana is still quite pricey for this effect, PolymorphPolymorph's "destroy" wording is mechanically unique and therefore can be desirable for decks looking to both PolymorphPolymorph and play with the graveyard. Combine that with the nostalgia and ubiquity of the original card, and it's not exactly surprising that this horrifying somewhat-rabbit is still seeing a lot of play despite better and newer options being available.

9. Fireflux SquadFireflux Squad

(1007 Inclusions, 0% of 209007 Decks)

If you're looking for some of that evolution and power creep all wrapped into one, for the same four mana you would pay for old-school PolymorphPolymorph, you can now get a repeatable PolymorphPolymorph strapped to a 4/3 body. While it is possible that it will get removed on the way to your combat step, the fact that Fireflux SquadFireflux Squad has haste makes this much rarer, taking away much of the disadvantage of using a creature instead of a sorcery. It can't target your opponents' creatures, which makes it a tad less flexible, but the repeatable nature seems to more than make up for that given a deck playing this will by definition be built around turning small creatures into big ones. Indeed, for those of us looking to make tokens into 10/10s, the best part of this squad is the fact that the PolymorphPolymorphed creature comes in attacking. Turning a Servo into a Apex AltisaurApex Altisaur in the middle of a combat step can swing a game wide open, if not just end it.

8. Indomitable CreativityIndomitable Creativity

(1084 Inclusions, 0% of 209007 Decks)

If you're looking to really stay flexible with your threats and answers, though, then look no further than Indomitable CreativityIndomitable Creativity. It can act as a simple TransmogrifyTransmogrify for the same amount of mana, albeit being a bit more choosy on how many of them have to be red and a little less certain that you'll hit a Worldspine WurmWorldspine Wurm instead of a mana rock. That said, it can also remove that there Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir or Linvala, Keeper of SilenceLinvala, Keeper of Silence across the way, often while still netting you a huge creature or three at the same time.

7. Jalira, Master PolymorphistJalira, Master Polymorphist

(Helms 286 Decks, Rank #372; 836 Inclusions, 0% of 227314 Decks)

PolymorphPolymorph may have started it all, but Jalira, Master PolymorphistJalira, Master Polymorphist is what really brought the Polymorph theme to Commander. Originally printed in Magic 2015, Jalira let you have the iconic spell printed straight onto your commander at only three mana! While you can't pull the trick you can with PolymorphPolymorph itself by "destroying" an indestructible creature, Jalira allows for all of the shenanigans of sacrificing a token to end up with a Pathrazer of UlamogPathrazer of Ulamog or a Stormtide LeviathanStormtide Leviathan, turn after turn.

Being in mono-blue, tokens can be a bit harder to come by if you have Jalira at the helm, but there are still some pretty great options out there if you look hard enough, especially if you're leaning a bit harder into artifacts.

6. Reality ScrambleReality Scramble

(1362 Inclusions, 1% of 209007 Decks)

While not the first nod toward the hilarity and popularity of TransmogrifyTransmogrify effects in Commander, Reality ScrambleReality Scramble might be the friendliest when it comes to wanting to cast spells over and over again. Being able to discard a land to RetraceRetrace a PolymorphPolymorph from the graveyard every turn is bound to get ridiculous fast if no one does anything about it, and at a lot of tables folks still aren't packing graveyard removal despite having every reason to do so. If that's your table (or even if it isn't), here's one more reason you can give them that they should be packing those Scavenger GroundsScavenger Grounds! Just keep in mind that this only targets your permanents, while also keeping in mind that it can target any permanent (including lands!), not just your creatures.

5. Divergent TransformationsDivergent Transformations

(1417 Inclusions, 1% of 209007 Decks)

In a full four-player game, Divergent TransformationsDivergent Transformations costs the same as a simple TransmogrifyTransmogrify, but can hit two creatures instead of just one! Out of almost all of the varoius PolymorphPolymorph effects in the game, this is one of the most common to see in a deck that isn't necessarily planning around PolymorphPolymorph, just because it can be an instant response to one of your creatures being removed, or a panic removal spell for the problematic creature across the way, or both at the same time! While the removal part of that equation can be a bit risky, I don't really subscribe to "the devil you know" mentality myself, plus there are all sorts of decks which synergize with this type of replacement removal:

Even with the various Group Slug and Stax strategies aside, however, there is something to be said for the entertainment value of rolling the dice, or, barring that, the sheer efficiency of getting two for the price of one!

4. Proteus StaffProteus Staff

(1718 Inclusions, 1% of 227314 Decks)

This oft-forgotten creepy hand-staff got a bit of limelight last year with the printing of Fblthp, the LostFblthp, the Lost.

Proteus StaffProteus Staff allows you to target everyone's favorite little lost Homunculus in a deck in which he is the only creature, putting him on the bottom of the library to then reveal your entire library and put him into play. Crucially, Proteus StaffProteus Staff doesn't tell you to put the cards back on the bottom of your library in a random order, and, as such, you can then stack your entire deck any way you want before drawing your two cards from Fblthp. While Fblthp would also be an okay inclusion in any PolymorphPolymorph deck, the "oops, never do that again" nature of Proteus StaffProteus Staff's non-random order also tends to pay off well in any deck that doesn't play a whole lot of creatures and will be using the effect often. Having entire sections of your deck stacked to your liking can be powerful and yet still fun and unique, as opposed to the boredom that many have felt after tutoring up a Fblthp, the LostFblthp, the Lost into the same Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac combo for the umpteenth time. However you plan around it, however, the worst case scenario is a reusable PolymorphPolymorph, which is good enough for Jalira, Master PolymorphistJalira, Master Polymorphist.

3. Warp WorldWarp World

(1839 Inclusions, 1% of 209007 Decks)

Most people don't think of PolymorphPolymorph or TransmogrifyTransmogrify when they think of Warp WorldWarp World. Instead, there are usually two lines of thought for the average Commander player:

"Oh, sweet! Think of how crazy the board state will end up being for everyone! What a chaotic delight!"

Or:

"Oh great, this is going to take forever, and will probably put three copies of Omen MachineOmen Machine into play somehow so this game can take another three hours. Yay."

Both responses are fine points of view, although I would encourage brewers to consider the other viewpoint when building around this card. As for you PolymorphPolymorph players, keep in mind that while this will probably net you quite a few big threats, all of your instant, sorcery, and planeswalker effects will flip over as dead cards, while the creature/artifact/enchantment deck across the way will be likely to get 20+ permanents of all gas.

Speaking of which, is anyone else really disappointed that Lukka, Coppercoat OutcastLukka, Coppercoat Outcast didn't make this list? That card is an absolute blast (but not quite enough of one to make the top 10, he's currently pulling a Javert at number 11). Let's pump those numbers up for next time, people!

2. Vaevictis Asmadi, the DireVaevictis Asmadi, the Dire

(Helms 808 Decks, Rank #159; 1896 Inclusions, 4% of 53529 Decks)

Speaking of decks that absolutely want to play Lukka, Coppercoat OutcastLukka, Coppercoat Outcast, Vaevictis Asmadi, the DireVaevictis Asmadi, the Dire is, as of yet, the only Jund commander for a TransmogrifyTransmogrify strategy. In similar fashion to Reality ScrambleReality Scramble, he allows you to sacrifice one of your own permanents and replace it with (hopefully) another permanent off the top of your library. In addition to doing this on your own side of the board, you also get to do it with each opponent for their most problematic permanent (in a deck that isn't built around playing mostly permanents, most likely). While not a true PolymorphPolymorph in that you can get stiffed if you end up revealing an instant or sorcery off of the top of the library, Vaevictis Asmadi decks don't mind much as they tend to operate less off of the instant and sorcery versions of this effect and more on Vaevictis himself. The real strategy is to just play as many permanents as possible and acquire endless value with both your commander and any number of enter-the-battlefield, top-of-the-library, and "cares about permanents" cards. Indeed, it's not uncommon at all for a Vaevictis Asmadie, the DireVaevictis Asmadie, the Dire deck to win outright with a single Primal SurgePrimal Surge, owing to the fact that it's the only non-permanent in their deck.

1. Chaos WarpChaos Warp

(55790 Inclusions, 27% of 209007 Decks)

For those of us that aren't looking to plan a whole deck around a crazy strategy, however, there's always Chaos WarpChaos Warp. Widely regarded as the best red removal spell available in Commander, Chaos WarpChaos Warp is the least risky version of PolymorphPolymorph available when used as removal, often resulting in your opponent getting nothing at all. At the same time, in a pinch it can be used on your own permanent in the hopes of flipping over a game-winning threat, especially in a deck mostly made up of permanents. Mostly, however, Chaos WarpChaos Warp has transcended any kind of strategy, being a staple for just about any deck that can play it, but especially for mono-red and Rakdos decks which are desperate for enchantment removal. That said, it's not like TransmogrifyTransmogrify decks won't be playing it.

Honorable Mentions

Aside from my obvious love of Lukka, Coppercoat OutcastLukka, Coppercoat Outcast and the fact that he routinely turns my GuttersnipeGuttersnipe into a Deepglow SkateDeepglow Skate in my Will KenrithWill Kenrith and Rowan KenrithRowan Kenrith deck, there are a few other PolymorphPolymorph cards worth discussing. First off, there was a unique corner case that I eliminated from this week's criteria that would have ended up with a slightly different Top Ten:

Top 10 Polymorph Effects (That Don't Necessarily Remove the Permanent)

1. Chaos WarpChaos Warp
2. Atla Palani, Nest TenderAtla Palani, Nest Tender
3. Vaevictis Asmadi, the DireVaevictis Asmadi, the Dire
4. Aid from the CowlAid from the Cowl
5. Warp WorldWarp World
6. Proteus StaffProteus Staff
7. Divergent TransformationsDivergent Transformations
8. Reality ScrambleReality Scramble
9. Jalira, Master PolymorphistJalira, Master Polymorphist
10. Indomitable CreativityIndomitable Creativity

There are a couple cards that would have made this list if we had not included the "removes the permanent" portion of our criteria, as Atla Palani, Nest TenderAtla Palani, Nest Tender and Aid from the CowlAid from the Cowl do utilize a PolymorphPolymorph like effect that triggers on a permanent leaving the battlefield, rather than removing it, itself. This was a nitpick, but I felt that it went against the nature of what PolymorphPolymorph or TransmogrifyTransmogrify effects were, feeling much more like a sort of reincarnation or hatching kind of flavor.

As for the things that didn't make either version of the Top Ten, there are a few fan favorites that I'd love to see get a bit more love if we ever come back to this list.

#13: Shifting ShadowShifting Shadow

This card is a personal favorite of mine, being just the right kind of chaos I love to see on the battlefield, whether it's on my side of the board or not. While in typical TransmogrifyTransmogrify builds it's a bit lackluster, as you typically want your big creatures to stick around, in more general creature builds this is a value machine, allowing you to abuse enter-the-battlefield and death triggers every single turn, along with attacking with each version of the creature so long as you're fairly sure that it won't die from doing so (you don't get the replacement creature unless you get Shifting ShadowShifting Shadow's upkeep trigger). It's exactly the kind of hilarity and randomness that's a blast to see take place, while also being a great effect for Aristocrats-type decks, indestructible creatures, and any deck that cares about creatures in the graveyard. I've even seen it do some work in artifact decks, getting a Junkyard DiverJunkyard Diver or Palladium MyrPalladium Myr every turn while keeping the graveyard full of the same.

#14/#15: Synthetic DestinySynthetic Destiny & Mass PolymorphMass Polymorph

Being able to PolymorphPolymorph a single creature is so last week. Instead, why not do it for every creature you control? Now, if only they would print this effect for everyone's creatures in red....

#18: Shape AnewShape Anew

It's PolymorphPolymorph, but for artifacts! ...Why isn't anyone playing it?

Nuts and Bolts

There always seems to be a bit of interest in how these lists are made (this seems like a good time to stress once again that they are based on EDHREC score, NOT my personal opinion…), and people are often surprised that I’m not using any special data or .json from EDHREC, but rather just muddling my way through with some Scryfall knowledge! For your enjoyment/research, here is this week’s Scryfall search.

What Do You Think?

Being an old fogey, it's hard for me to wrap my head around PolymorphPolymorph now being red, in a flavor sense. Which got me wondering if I'm the only one?

And finally, have you ever played a PolymorphPolymorph deck? Played against one? Is it a strategy that intrigues you, or does it seem more like it's going to just take a lot of time?

Let us know in the comments, and we'll see you at the little corner table that can transform into a giant gaming table!

DougY

Doug has been an avid Magic player since Fallen Empires, when his older brother traded him some epic blue Homarids for all of his Islands. As for Commander, he's been playing since 2010, when he started off by making a two-player oriented G/R Land Destruction deck. Nailed it. In his spare time when he's not playing Magic, writing about Magic or doing his day job, he runs a YouTube channel or two, keeps up a College Football Computer Poll, and is attempting to gif every scene of the Star Wars prequels.