Trumpeting Gnarr
Trumpeting Gnarr
Mutate
Whenever this creature mutates, create a 3/3 green Beast creature token.
Whenever this creature mutates, create a 3/3 green Beast creature token.
illus. Aaron Miller # 213/274
Oracle Text
Mutate
Whenever this creature mutates, create a 3/3 green Beast creature token.
Given the choice between paying 3 for a 3/3 with potential for further mutation and 3/3s or... paying 5 for essentially the same thing... the mutate cost really isn't compelling for this guy.
I mean, I can think of some corner case scenarios. Being a token may be relevant. Not being blue might be relevant. Only having one color of mana is something that could come up.
Mostly, though, you'd be paying that cost to trigger other mutate triggers. This is the first card for which mutate really seems parasitic to me.
So, if you play it for 3, you get just the card itself. If you play it for 5, you get a token right away. While this choice may seem to have no difference, it does. You've potentially triggered another Mutation depending on what you combined with. Future Mutations can go on this thing and trigger 2 Mutations instead of 1. The creature you Mutated may have been smaller than a 3/3 to start with.
Of course, this all assumes your opponent isn't playing with a lot of removal. If they are, Mutate is a garbage ability with the same value as Auras.