The Wise Mothman costs {1}{B}{G}{U} and is a 3/3 with flying. Whenever it enters or attacks, each player gets a rad counter. Whenever one or more nonland cards are milled, you put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to X target creatures, where X is the number of nonland cards milled. Every mill turns into counters.

The precon already has the rad makers and the proliferate, including Nuclear Fallout, Glowing One and Vexing Radgull. Each swap below pairs a cut with an add, and every card is scored with the same numbers the Oracle uses to build decks: synergy and inclusion from the Wise Mothman decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Wise Mothman decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Mutant Menace precon guide.

14
Swaps
$41.21
Cost of the adds
39→39
Lands
15→36
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Not enough ways to mill

Ruin Crab, Syr Konrad, the Master of Lake-town and Consuming Aberration all mill opponents, and every nonland card they mill is a counter for the Mothman. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

Too few cards that reward counters

Evolution Witness, Fathom Mage, Hollowmurk Siege and Thrummingbird draw, return cards or proliferate whenever counters arrive.

Cards that do not use the graveyard

Piper Wright is not a card the Mothman, and Strength Bobblehead, Tireless Tracker, Biomass Mutation and Lumbering Megasloth are each played in about one deck in nine or fewer decks usually play.

The 14 swaps

Each pair shows the numbers for the card coming out and the card going in. Click a card image to zoom.

Swap 1 of 14
Piper Wright, Publick Reporter
Cut
Piper Wright, Publick Reporter
Legendary Creature — Human Detective · 1U
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Ruin Crab
Add
Ruin Crab
Creature — Crab · U
Inclusion61%
Synergy53%
Lift6.9×
Oracle score 56

Piper Wright, Publick Reporter is a 1/2 for {1}{U} that investigates when it connects. It is not a card The Wise Mothman decks usually play.

Ruin Crab is a 0/3 for {U} with landfall: whenever a land enters under your control, each opponent mills three cards. A one-drop that mills a table every land drop, and the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 14
Strength Bobblehead
Cut
Strength Bobblehead
Artifact — Bobblehead · 3
Inclusion7%
Synergy7%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 7
Syr Konrad, the Grim
Add
Syr Konrad, the Grim
Legendary Creature — Human Knight · 3BB
Inclusion51%
Synergy35%
Lift3.2×
Oracle score 42

Strength Bobblehead is a three-mana rock that makes counters for {3}. It is played in about one Mothman deck in fourteen.

Syr Konrad, the Grim is a 5/4 for {3}{B}{B}. Whenever another creature dies or a creature card is put into a graveyard from anywhere other than the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to each opponent, and for {1}{B} each player mills a card. A mill outlet that pings the table.

Swap 3 of 14
Tireless Tracker
Cut
Tireless Tracker
Creature — Human Scout · 2G
Inclusion10%
Synergy7%
Lift3.1×
Oracle score 8
Evolution Witness
Add
Evolution Witness
Creature — Elf Shaman Mutant · 2G
Inclusion43%
Synergy37%
Lift7.4×
Oracle score 40

Tireless Tracker is a 3/2 for {2}{G} that investigates on landfall. It is played in about one Mothman deck in ten.

Evolution Witness is a 2/1 Elf Shaman Mutant for {2}{G}. For {1}{G} it adapts 2, and whenever counters are put on it you return a permanent card from your graveyard to your hand. Every Mothman counter is a card back.

Swap 4 of 14
Biomass Mutation
Cut
Biomass Mutation
Instant · XG/UG/U
Inclusion12%
Synergy9%
Lift4.1×
Oracle score 10
Thrummingbird
Add
Thrummingbird
Creature — Phyrexian Bird Horror · 1U
Inclusion38%
Synergy32%
Lift6.6×
Oracle score 34

Biomass Mutation sets your creatures' base power and toughness to X/X until end of turn. It is played in about one Mothman deck in eight.

Thrummingbird is a 1/1 flier for {1}{U}. Whenever it deals combat damage to a player, you proliferate. Every rad counter and +1/+1 counter grows.

Swap 5 of 14
Lumbering Megasloth
Cut
Lumbering Megasloth
Creature — Sloth Mutant · 10GG
Inclusion11%
Synergy10%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 10
Fathom Mage
Add
Fathom Mage
Creature — Human Wizard · 2GU
Inclusion29%
Synergy25%
Lift7.0×
Oracle score 27

Lumbering Megasloth is a 12-mana 8/8 trampler that costs {1} less for each counter among players and permanents, and enters tapped. It is played in about one Mothman deck in nine.

Fathom Mage is a 1/1 for {2}{G}{U} with evolve. Whenever a +1/+1 counter is put on it, you may draw a card. A creature that draws a card whenever the Mothman's trigger lands on it.

Swap 6 of 14
Recon Craft Theta
Cut
Recon Craft Theta
Artifact — Vehicle · 4
Inclusion14%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 13
The Master of Lake-town
Add
The Master of Lake-town
Legendary Creature — Human Advisor · 1BB
Inclusion28%
Synergy24%
Lift7.0×
Oracle score 26

Recon Craft Theta is a four-mana 4/4 flying Vehicle that proliferates when it attacks. It is played in about one Mothman deck in seven.

The Master of Lake-town is a 3/2 deathtouch creature for {1}{B}{B}. Whenever a player loses life, that player mills that many cards, and when it dies you draw a card for each graveyard with seven or more cards. Rad counters make a player lose life every turn, and every point is a mill.

Swap 7 of 14
Young Deathclaws
Cut
Young Deathclaws
Creature — Lizard Mutant · 2BG
Inclusion15%
Synergy13%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 14
Consuming Aberration
Add
Consuming Aberration
Creature — Horror · 3UB
Inclusion27%
Synergy20%
Lift4.0×
Oracle score 23

Young Deathclaws is a 4/2 menace creature for {2}{B}{G} that gives creature cards in your graveyard scavenge. It is played in about one Mothman deck in seven.

Consuming Aberration is a creature for {3}{U}{B} whose power and toughness equal the number of cards in your opponents' graveyards. Whenever you cast a spell, each opponent reveals cards from the top of their library until they reveal a land and puts them into their graveyard. A big body that mills the table with every spell.

Swap 8 of 14
Jason Bright, Glowing Prophet
Cut
Jason Bright, Glowing Prophet
Legendary Creature — Zombie Mutant Advisor · 2U
Inclusion19%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 18
Muldrotha, the Gravetide
Add
Muldrotha, the Gravetide
Legendary Creature — Elemental Avatar · 3BGU
Inclusion47%
Synergy25%
Lift2.1×
Oracle score 34

Jason Bright, Glowing Prophet is a 2/3 for {2}{U} that draws when a Zombie or Mutant dies with changed power. It is played in about one Mothman deck in five.

Muldrotha, the Gravetide is a 6/6 for {3}{B}{G}{U}. During each of your turns you may play a land and cast a permanent spell of each permanent type from your graveyard. A deck that mills itself gets its best cards back.

Swap 9 of 14
Harmonize
Cut
Harmonize
Sorcery · 2GG
Inclusion20%
Synergy16%
Lift5.9×
Oracle score 18
Jenova, Ancient Calamity
Add
Jenova, Ancient Calamity
Legendary Creature — Alien · 2BG
Inclusion19%
Synergy16%
Lift6.9×
Oracle score 17

Harmonize draws three cards for four mana and does nothing else. It is played in about one Mothman deck in five.

Jenova, Ancient Calamity is a 1/5 for {2}{B}{G}. At the beginning of combat on your turn it puts counters equal to its power on another creature and makes that creature a Mutant, and whenever a Mutant you control dies during your turn you draw cards equal to its power. A counter engine that draws cards.

Swap 10 of 14
Contagion Clasp
Cut
Contagion Clasp
Artifact · 2
Inclusion21%
Synergy18%
Lift7.8×
Oracle score 19
Hollowmurk Siege
Add
Hollowmurk Siege
Enchantment · BG
Inclusion20%
Synergy16%
Lift4.5×
Oracle score 17

Contagion Clasp is a two-mana artifact that puts a -1/-1 counter on a creature and proliferates for {4}. It is played in about one Mothman deck in five.

Hollowmurk Siege costs {B}{G}. Choose Sultai and you draw a card whenever a counter is put on a creature you control, once each turn, or choose Abzan and put a +1/+1 counter on an attacking creature. A two-mana enchantment that draws a card every turn the Mothman's trigger resolves.

Swap 11 of 14
Vault 87: Forced Evolution
Cut
Vault 87: Forced Evolution
Enchantment — Saga · 3GU
Inclusion21%
Synergy18%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 19
Mindcrank
Add
Mindcrank
Artifact · 2
Inclusion66%
Synergy58%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 62

Vault 87: Forced Evolution ({3}{G}{U}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 19 in the Oracle: it is in 21% of The Wise Mothman decks with 18% synergy. It reads: I : Gain control of target non-Mutant creature for as long as you control this Saga. II : Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.

Mindcrank ({2}) scores 61: it is in 66% of The Wise Mothman decks with 58% synergy. It reads: Whenever an opponent loses life, that player mills that many cards.

Swap 12 of 14
Harold and Bob, First Numens
Cut
Harold and Bob, First Numens
Legendary Creature — Treefolk Mutant · 2G
Inclusion22%
Synergy19%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 20
Mesmeric Orb
Add
Mesmeric Orb
Artifact · 2
Inclusion61%
Synergy49%
Lift5.1×
Oracle score 54

Harold and Bob, First Numens ({2}{G}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 20 in the Oracle: it is in 22% of The Wise Mothman decks with 19% synergy. It reads: Reach, vigilance. When Harold and Bob dies, if it was a creature, return it to the battlefield.

Mesmeric Orb ({2}) scores 54: it is in 61% of The Wise Mothman decks with 49% synergy. It reads: Whenever a permanent becomes untapped, that permanent's controller mills a card.

Swap 13 of 14
Watchful Radstag
Cut
Watchful Radstag
Creature — Elk Mutant · 2G
Inclusion26%
Synergy23%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 24
Evolution Sage
Add
Evolution Sage
Creature — Elf Druid · 2G
Inclusion43%
Synergy36%
Lift6.1×
Oracle score 39

Watchful Radstag ({2}{G}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 24 in the Oracle: it is in 26% of The Wise Mothman decks with 23% synergy. It reads: Evolve. Whenever this creature evolves, create a token that's a copy of it.

Evolution Sage ({2}{G}) scores 39: it is in 43% of The Wise Mothman decks with 36% synergy. It reads: Landfall : Whenever a land you control enters, proliferate.

Swap 14 of 14
Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma
Cut
Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma
Legendary Creature — Mutant Warrior · 3G
Inclusion26%
Synergy24%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 25
Ripples of Potential
Add
Ripples of Potential
Instant · 1U
Inclusion41%
Synergy36%
Lift7.8×
Oracle score 38

Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma ({3}{G}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 25 in the Oracle: it is in 26% of The Wise Mothman decks with 24% synergy. It reads: Vigilance. Lily Bowen enters with two +1/+1 counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, double the number of +1/+1 counters on Lily Bowen if its power is 16 or.

Ripples of Potential ({1}{U}) scores 38: it is in 41% of The Wise Mothman decks with 36% synergy. It reads: Proliferate, then choose any number of permanents you control that had a counter put on them this way. Those permanents phase out.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Piper Wright, Publick Reporter
  • Strength Bobblehead
  • Tireless Tracker
  • Biomass Mutation
  • Lumbering Megasloth
  • Recon Craft Theta
  • Young Deathclaws
  • Jason Bright, Glowing Prophet
  • Harmonize
  • Contagion Clasp
  • Vault 87: Forced Evolution
  • Harold and Bob, First Numens
  • Watchful Radstag
  • Lily Bowen, Raging Grandma

Add

  • Ruin Crab
  • Syr Konrad, the Grim
  • Evolution Witness
  • Thrummingbird
  • Fathom Mage
  • The Master of Lake-town
  • Consuming Aberration
  • Muldrotha, the Gravetide
  • Jenova, Ancient Calamity
  • Hollowmurk Siege
  • Mindcrank
  • Mesmeric Orb
  • Evolution Sage
  • Ripples of Potential

What to keep

These cards are doing the deck's heavy lifting. Do not cut them.

If you want to spend more

These are strong but sit outside a budget upgrade. Prices are the cheapest paper printing.

The verdict

Mutant Menace already has the rad makers and the proliferate. The upgrade is cheap ways to mill opponents every turn and creatures that grow or draw when counters arrive, in place of cards that do not use the graveyard. These fourteen swaps cost about $41 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around The Wise Mothman from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Mutant Menace precon?

Using data from 34,352 The Wise Mothman decks, the highest-scoring additions are Mindcrank (for Vault 87: Forced Evolution), Ruin Crab (for Piper Wright, Publick Reporter) and Mesmeric Orb (for Harold and Bob, First Numens). The full list has 14 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Mutant Menace?

All 14 swaps cost about $41.21 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-27). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers The Water Crystal ($3.93), Psychic Corrosion ($4.59) and Kami of Whispered Hopes ($4.57).

What should I cut from Mutant Menace?

The weakest cards for this commander are Piper Wright, Publick Reporter, Strength Bobblehead and Tireless Tracker. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Mutant Menace?

Keep Nuclear Fallout, Glowing One, Mutational Advantage, Vexing Radgull and Hardened Scales. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does The Wise Mothman do?

The Wise Mothman costs {1}{B}{G}{U} and is a 3/3 with flying. Whenever it enters or attacks, each player gets a rad counter. Whenever one or more nonland cards are milled, you put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to X target creatures, where X is the number of nonland cards milled. Every mill turns into counters.

More Fallout upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of The Wise Mothman decks (34,352 of them when this was written, 2026-10-27) that play the card. Synergy is how much more often they play it than other decks in the same colours. Oracle score is synergy × 0.6 plus inclusion × 0.4, the same blend The Oracle uses to rank cards for a deck. Lift compares how often the card appears in these decks with how often it could, capped at 8× here; it is shown for context and does not change the score.

Two cautions. Players who run the precon unmodified count as The Wise Mothman decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift is moderate to high for these cards because few decks play them outside a mill and counters deck, so use lift to compare cards, not to judge one in isolation. A card the commander's decks do not usually play counts as 0 in the average score. Prices are the cheapest non-foil paper printing on TCGplayer (via Scryfall), in USD, and move daily.