Fungusaur MTG Card


Despite lacking direct card advantage, Fungusaur’s growth capabilities can create a formidable board presence. Its incredible synergy with instant-speed spells adds an element of surprise and strength during play. While its mana cost is a hurdle, Fungusaur’s potential for power makes it a valuable green creature.
Card setsReleased in 17 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Fungus Dinosaur
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Each time Fungusaur is damaged but not destroyed, put a +1/+1 counter on it.

Rather than sheltering her young, the female Fungusaur often injures her own offspring, thereby ensuring their rapid growth.


Cards like Fungusaur

Fungusaur has long been a classic in the world of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, renowned for its ability to grow stronger as it survives damage. One comparable card is the iconic Sporeback Troll, which not only gains +1/+1 counters when damage is dealt to it but also comes with the regenerative ability, adding a layer of survivability. Another kin in terms of mechanics is the much newer Voracious Hydra. While it also thrives on +1/+1 counters, the Hydra has the additional advantage of doubling its counters or acting as removal upon entering the battlefield, offering much more versatility.

Looking at other parts of the MTG universe, Unyaro Bees stands out for its parallel tendency to grow through +1/+1 counters, yet it brings an airborne threat with flying. However, these creatures each have their unique ecosystem to flourish in; while Fungusaur needs to be dealt damage to evolve, Unyaro Bees offer more immediate, albeit costlier, growth opportunities. Each of these creatures has their niche, but the consistent growth potential of Fungusaur in response to the common occurrence of damage makes it a formidable and enduring presence in its own right.

In analyzing these similarities, it’s evident that Fungusaur brings a nostalgic yet dynamic playstyle to the table, challenging players to maximize its growth potential in the face of adversity, shaping the way such creature cards are viewed within Magic: The Gathering.

Sporeback Troll - MTG Card versions
Voracious Hydra - MTG Card versions
Unyaro Bees - MTG Card versions
Sporeback Troll - MTG Card versions
Voracious Hydra - MTG Card versions
Unyaro Bees - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fungusaur by color, type and mana cost

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Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Fungusaur may not directly allow you to draw cards, it’s inherently designed to grow over time as you heal it from damage. This means that the Fungusaur has the potential to provide a significant advantage on the board, as it can quickly outgrow your opponent’s creatures, effectively giving you a larger presence and more control of the board state.

Resource Acceleration: While the Fungusaur doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense through mana or card draw, it does contribute to resource acceleration in terms of creature power. Every time Fungusaur is damaged and survives, it gets stronger which can accelerate your board’s power level without further investment—meaning your resources can be allocated elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Fungusaur’s ability to gain a +1/+1 counter isn’t tied to a spell at instant speed, but the strategy applies when pairing it with other instant-speed spells or abilities. Imagine using an instant that damages Fungusaur only to have it survive and grow stronger, all during an unexpected moment on your opponent’s turn. This synergistic play can catch an opponent off guard and turn the tides in your favor.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Fungusaur requires a particular combination of mana to cast, which can make it challenging to play outside of decks that heavily focus on green mana sources. This can restrict its incorporation into multi-colored or colorless decks where mana flexibility is paramount.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at four, Fungusaur might not seem overly expensive. However, within green’s section of the color pie, this cost competes directly with a variety of creatures that may offer immediate impact or more powerful abilities. As such, the investment into Fungusaur can feel steep compared to some other options available.

Discard Requirement: While Fungusaur itself does not require a discard, it’s important to consider the broader requirements of synergistic cards that pair with it. In a deck built to capitalize on Fungusaur’s ability, you may find yourself discarding to trigger enrage or similar effects, thereby depleting your hand and potential resources.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fungusaur can adapt to various deck themes due to its unique ability to grow stronger whenever it’s damaged. This survivability makes it an asset in both offense and defense.

Combo Potential: This creature thrives alongside cards that deal non-lethal damage, allowing you to boost its power incrementally. Pairing with effects that place +1/+1 counters or enablers like “Pyrohemia” can lead to a substantial board presence.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current environment where damage-inflicting strategies are common, Fungusaur has the capacity to benefit from the fray, potentially swinging games in your favor as it evolves into a formidable threat on the battlefield.


How to beat

Fungusaur, a classic creature within MTG, presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This card, hailing from Magic’s earlier sets, grows stronger with every mark of damage, as it gains a +1/+1 counter post-survival. Unlike other creatures that might succumb to damage, Fungusaur thrives, expanding its presence with each skirmish that it endures. This daunting ability necessitates a strategy that revolves around bypassing traditional combat damage.

To successfully counteract the resilience of Fungusaur, players should consider utilizing spells that can remove it without inflicting damage, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. These provide an effective solution by exiling Fungusaur, thereby preventing its growth. Alternatively, effects that reduce its toughness to zero, like Dismember or Grasp of Darkness, can prove efficient by sidestepping its strength-gaining capacity. Strategic deployment of such spells is critical, ensuring the Fungusaur’s potential is restrained before it can become an unstoppable force on the board.

In essence, overcoming Fungusaur necessitates an approach that either avoids boosting its power or preempts its advancement entirely. Through clever spell selection and timing, MTG players can turn the tide against this ever-growing threat, maintaining control of the game state.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fungusaur MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Fungusaur and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fungusaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1951993NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1961993NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1961993NormalWhiteDaniel Gelon
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1961993NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1961993NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1971993NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1971993NormalWhiteDaniel Gelon
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1971993NormalWhiteDaniel Gelon
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2461993NormalWhiteDaniel Gelon
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2461993NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
111997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2961997NormalWhiteScott M. Fischer
122003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 250★2003NormalBlackHeather Hudson
132003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2502003NormalWhiteHeather Hudson
142020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 662003NormalBlackHeather Hudson
152020-09-26The ListPLST 8ED-2502003NormalBlackHeather Hudson
162022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4881997NormalBlackDaniel Gelon
172022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1912015NormalBlackDaniel Gelon

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fungusaur has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fungusaur card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 If more than one creature damages it at one time, it only gets one counter.