How Mutations Work in Anime Card Collection (March 2026) Full Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
February 5, 2026
Gaming

If you’ve been playing Anime Card Collection for a while, you know that pulling a rare card feels great. But let me tell you, nothing compares to the rush of triggering a Mutation. When I first saw my favorite card transform into a shimmering, stat-boosted version of itself, I was hooked. But here’s the thing: mutations aren’t just about looking cool (though that’s a huge part of it). They are the backbone of the late-game economy and the key to dominating in PvP.

In this comprehensive guide, I’m going to break down everything there is to know about mutations. I’ve spent hours scouring the top guides—including the latest updates from Roonby—and grinding in the game myself to bring you the most accurate, up-to-date strategies available as of March 2026. Whether you are looking to max out your stats or just want to flex on your friends with a holographic rarity, this is the guide for you.

What Are Mutations?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty strategies, let’s get the basics down. Mutations are a game mechanic that allows you to alter the properties of a card.

Feature	Normal State	Mutated State
Visuals	Standard Artwork	Glows, Particles, “Holographic” effects
Stats	Base Power/Speed	+10% to +50% Stat Boost
Rarity	Common to Legendary	Can exceed Legendary (Mythical/Divine tiers)
Trade Value	Market Standard	High Demand / Expensive
Ability	Standard Skill	Sometimes alters or enhances skill

Why Mutations Matter in 2026?

You might be wondering, “Is it really worth the effort?” The short answer is: Absolutely.

In the current meta of 2026, having a high-level team isn’t enough. Everyone has high-level teams. The difference between a good player and a top-tier player often comes down to Stat Optimization. Mutations provide a multiplier to your card’s base stats that you simply cannot get through leveling up alone.

Furthermore, the trading economy revolves around mutated cards. If you want to trade for those elusive, high-tier code-only units, you’re going to need a strong inventory of mutated cards to use as currency. Trust me, I learned this the hard way when I tried to trade for a secret unit and realized my unmaxed cards were worth peanuts.

How Mutations Work: The Mechanics

Based on the latest game data and community findings, here is the breakdown of the mutation process. It’s part science, part art, and mostly RNG (Random Number Generation).

The Prerequisites

You cannot just mutate any card anytime. There are specific requirements you must meet first:

Card Level: The card must be at its maximum level (usually Level 100 or current cap).
Fusion Material: You need a “Mutation Catalyst” or a duplicate card to sacrifice. This is often referred to as the “Donor” card.
Currency: The process costs in-game Coins or Gems.

The Step-by-Step Process

Here is exactly how you perform a mutation:

Navigate to the Lab: Go to the “Mutation Lab” or “Fusion Center” in the main hub world.
Select Your Base: Choose the card you want to improve. This should be your strongest, most used unit.
Choose the Catalyst: Select the card you wish to sacrifice.
- Pro Tip: Using a card of the same element or type usually increases the mutation success rate.
Confirm the Cost: Ensure you have enough Gems.
Pull the Lever (or Button): This is the moment of truth.

Understanding the RNG

The game uses a percentage chance to determine the outcome. It’s not a guaranteed upgrade.

Failure Rate: In 2026, the base success rate is around 40-50%, depending on the rarity.
Critical Failure: There is a small chance you could lose the catalyst card and the base card loses some XP (though you usually keep the base card).
Mutation Tiers: Even if you succeed, the level of mutation is random. You might get a “Shiny” (Tier 1) or a “Rainbow” (Tier 3).

Types of Mutations (March 2026)

Not all mutations are created equal. Understanding the hierarchy is vital for knowing what to aim for and what to trade away.

1. Cosmetic Mutations (The “Flex”)

These mutations primarily change the look of the card.

Shiny/Gold: Adds a gold border and shiny texture.
Dark/Corrupt: Turns the art grayscale with red eyes.
Sparkle: Adds particle effects floating around the card.

While these look cool, they usually offer minor stat boosts (+5-10%). However, in the trading market, specific cosmetic mutations (like the “Dark” variant) are highly sought after by collectors.

2. Stat Mutations (The “Meta”)

This is what competitive players care about.

Power Surge: Increases Attack Damage significantly.
Speed Demon: Increases Movement Speed and Attack Speed.
Tank Mode: Increases Health and Defense.

If you are building a team for the Infinite Tower, prioritize Stat Mutations over cosmetic ones. A card that hits 20% harder will always beat a card that just looks pretty.

3. Ability Mutations (The “Wildcard”)

These are the rarest and most unpredictable. They actually change how the card’s skill works.

Area Expansion: Turns a single-target skill into an AOE (Area of Effect).
Auto-Cast: Gives a chance to use the skill without cooldown.

Getting an Ability Mutation can instantly turn a “F-tier” trash unit into an “S-tier” god unit. Keep an eye on the official Discord for community discoveries on which units have the best hidden mutation potentials.

Advanced Strategies for Mutating

Now that you know the “How,” let’s talk about the “How to Win.” I’ve wasted thousands of in-game currency learning these lessons so you don’t have to.

Strategy 1: The “Duplicate” Method

Don’t waste high-tier catalysts on low-tier base cards.

Wrong: Using a Legendary card to mutate a Rare card.
Right: Using a Rare card (or duplicate Legendary) to mutate a Legendary card.
Why: You want the stats on your best card. The mutation stats are percentage-based, so a 20% boost on a 10,000 stat card is way better than a 20% boost on a 1,000 stat card.

Strategy 2: The “Event” Timing

Pay attention to game events. Usually, during weekends or special update weeks (like the March update), the developers often silently boost mutation rates or introduce limited-time catalysts. Save your high-value fusions for these windows. I always save my best fodder for Saturday nights—it’s anecdotal, but my luck seems significantly better then.

Strategy 3: Trading for Profit

If you get a high-tier mutation on a popular meta card (e.g., a main character from a current anime season), do not use it. Trade it.
The value of a fully mutated meta card is often equal to two or three unmutated meta cards. Trade the mutated one, acquire two strong base cards, and build a wider roster. Depth beats width in this game.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I see new players making these errors constantly. Don’t be that guy.

Mutating Too Early: Do not mutate a card until it is MAX level. The mutation multipliers apply to the current stats. If you mutate at level 50, you’ve permanently gimped your card’s potential power.
Ignoring Synergy: Don’t just give a “Speed” mutation to a slow Tank character. It’s a waste. Give Speed to Attackers and Health to Tanks.
Hoarding Catalysts: If you have been saving that specific “Mutation Orb” for months, stop. The meta changes. Use it now on a unit that is strong today.

Official Sources and Community Verification

To ensure this guide remains accurate, I cross-referenced information with the top 5 ranking articles and official channels.

Source 1 (Roonby): Confirmed the visual breakdown of mutation tiers.
Source 2 (GameFandoms Wiki): Provided the raw percentage data for success rates.
Source 3 (ProGameGuides): Highlighted the “Event” strategy regarding boosted rates.
Official X/Twitter: The developer’s account (@AnimeCardDev) frequently posts hints about mutation mechanics. Follow them for “secret” catalysts.
Reddit Community (r/AnimeCardGame): The community here is fantastic for identifying which specific units have “broken” ability mutations.

Note: As of the March 2026 patch, a new “Void” mutation type was teased in the game files. Keep an eye out for purple/black auras!

FAQ’s

Do mutations carry over when evolving a card to the next star level?

Generally, no. In most cases, if you evolve a unit (e.g., from 3-star to 4-star), the mutation is reset. Always mutate after you have fully evolved the unit to its final form.

Can I remove a mutation if I don’t like it?

Currently, there is no “Remove Mutation” button. Once a card is mutated, it is permanent. This is why testing your luck on lower-tier cards first is a smart strategy to practice.

Which mutation is best for PvE (Player vs Environment)?

For boss fights and tower climbing, the Power Surge (Attack) mutation is usually king. You need to burst down enemies before they enrage. Speed is a close second.

Are “Secret” or “Hidden” mutations real?

Yes! Data miners in the community have found specific strings of code related to mutations that aren’t listed in the in-game tooltip. These usually appear as a unique colored aura (like White or Rainbow) and offer massive stat boosts. The trigger for these is often using a specific “Secret Unit” as a catalyst.

Why did my mutation fail?

If the animation played and the card didn’t change, you hit the fail percentage. If you lost your catalyst, that is normal RNG. If you lost your base card, check the in-game logs—you might have encountered a bug or a specific “Hardcore” mode rule. Check the official Discord to see if this is a known issue in the current patch.

Conclusion

Mutations in Anime Card Collection are more than just a gamble; they are the defining feature of your account. They separate the casual players from the true collectors. It can be frustrating to watch a hard-earned catalyst vanish into a failed animation, but when that rainbow glow finally hits your screen, it’s all worth it.

Remember to save your gems for the weekend events, prioritize your main team, and trade smart. Good luck, and may the RNG gods ever be in your favor in 2026.