# 2020 Magic: The Gathering Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths #79

> The Cavern Whisperer foil card (#79) from the 2020 Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths expansion is a five-mana black Nightmare creature featuring the mutate mechanic.

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## Identity

- **Year**: 2020
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
- **Card number**: #79
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

The Cavern Whisperer foil card, numbered 79 in Magic: The Gathering’s Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths expansion, represents a strategic addition for collectors of the game’s 2020 era. As a common black creature with a mana value of five, this Nightmare card offers distinct gameplay mechanics that appeal to both competitive players and card art enthusiasts. The foil treatment adds a layer of visual appeal, catching the light and distinguishing it from the standard nonfoil prints within the set.

Gameplay-wise, the Cavern Whisperer is designed around the mutate mechanic, allowing players to cast it for a reduced cost of {3}{B} to attach to a target non-Human creature they control. This creates a larger, more powerful entity by combining the abilities of the top and bottom cards. When mutated, the creature triggers a powerful effect: each opponent must discard a card. This disruption potential makes it a compelling choice for deck builders looking to control the board state. Additionally, the card possesses menace, meaning it can only be blocked by two or more creatures, ensuring it can often deal damage or survive combat scenarios where other threats might fall.

Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading cards often seek out specific cards from the Ikoria set due to its unique creature types and thematic focus on mutated beasts. The Cavern Whisperer, illustrated by Antonio José Manzanedo, stands as a recognizable piece of this collection. Whether you are building a deck around the mutate strategy or simply expanding your library with high-quality foil cards, this release provides a solid foundation. The combination of its disruptive discard ability and the flexibility of the mutate mechanic makes it a versatile tool in any black deck. For those interested in the broader ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering, understanding the role of creatures like the Cavern Whisperer helps contextualize the design philosophy of the Ikoria set.

## FAQ

### What is the mutate mechanic in Magic: The Gathering?

Mutate allows you to cast a spell for an alternate cost to place it over or under a target non-Human creature you own. The resulting creature has the characteristics of the top card plus all abilities from the cards underneath it.

### What abilities does the Cavern Whisperer have?

The Cavern Whisperer features menace, which means it can only be blocked by two or more creatures. It also has a triggered ability that activates whenever it mutates, causing each opponent to discard a card.

### What is the mana cost for Cavern Whisperer?

The standard mana cost for this card is four black mana and one generic mana, totaling a mana value of five. However, you can cast it for its mutate cost of three black mana and one generic mana if targeting a non-Human creature.

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Last verified: 2025-11-29.