Fathom Mage (C16 #198)

Fathom Mage is a rare printing from Commander 2016 (C16 #198), a Creature — Human Wizard. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
Card text
Evolve (Whenever a creature you control enters, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
Whenever a +1/+1 counter is put on this creature, you may draw a card.
Details
| Mana cost | {2}{G}{U} |
|---|---|
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power / Toughness | 1 / 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Set | Commander 2016 (C16) |
| Collector number | 198 |
| Artist | Ryan Pancoast |
| Released | 2016-11-11 |
Current price
As of 2026-10-19, Scryfall listed this printing at non-foil $0.53 (USD). Prices change constantly, so check the live price before buying.
Legality
| Standard | Not legal |
|---|---|
| Future Standard | Not legal |
| Historic | Not legal |
| Timeless | Not legal |
| Gladiator | Not legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Pauper | Not legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Penny Dreadful | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Standard Brawl | Not legal |
| Brawl | Not legal |
| Competitive Brawl | Not legal |
| Alchemy | Not legal |
| Pauper Commander | Not legal |
| Duel Commander | Legal |
| Old School | Not legal |
| Premodern | Not legal |
| PrEDH | Not legal |
| TLR | Not legal |
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Rulings
- January 24, 2013 — Fathom Mage's last ability will trigger whenever any +1/+1 counter is placed on it, not just ones due to the evolve ability.
- January 24, 2013 — If Fathom Mage enters with a +1/+1 counter on it (perhaps due to Master Biomancer), its last ability will trigger once for each +1/+1 counter it entered with.
- January 24, 2013 — If multiple +1/+1 counters are placed on Fathom Mage simultaneously, its last ability will trigger once for each of those counters.
- April 15, 2013 — If multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, evolve may trigger multiple times, although the stat comparison will take place each time one of those abilities tries to resolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and two 3/3 creatures enter the battlefield, evolve will trigger twice. The first ability will resolve and put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. When the second ability tries to resolve, neither the power nor the toughness of the new creature is greater than that of the creature with evolve, so that ability does nothing.
- April 15, 2013 — When comparing the stats of the two creatures for evolve, you always compare power to power and toughness to toughness.
- April 15, 2013 — Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, check its power and toughness against the power and toughness of the creature with evolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, evolve won't trigger at all.
- April 15, 2013 — If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it, consider those counters when determining if evolve will trigger. For example, a 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it will cause the evolve ability of a 2/2 creature to trigger.
- April 15, 2013 — When comparing the stats as the evolve ability resolves, it's possible that the stat that's greater changes from power to toughness or vice versa. If this happens, the ability will still resolve and you'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and a 1/3 creature enters the battlefield under your control, it toughness is greater so evolve will trigger. In response, the 1/3 creature gets +2/-2. When the evolve trigger tries to resolve, its power is greater. You'll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve.
- April 15, 2013 — If evolve triggers, the stat comparison will happen again when the ability tries to resolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, the ability will do nothing. If the creature that entered the battlefield leaves the battlefield before evolve tries to resolve, use its last known power and toughness to compare the stats.
