Imperial Seal MTG Card


Imperial Seal offers card selection, allowing players to strategically plan their next moves during gameplay. It accelerates resources by fetching key pieces, which can expedite your deck’s overall strategy. Despite its cost and sorcery speed, its utility in deck consistency and combo setups is unmatched.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Search your library for any one card. Shuffle your library and put that card on top of it. You lose 2 life.

"If Heaven has placed it in your hands, it means that the throne is destined to be yours."


Cards like Imperial Seal

Imperial Seal is a powerful tutor card from Magic: The Gathering that allows players to search their library for a card and then place that card on top of their library at the expense of 2 life. Its functionality draws parallels to the iconic Vampiric Tutor, which similarly lies within the category of powerful one black mana tutors. However, unlike Imperial Seal, which is a sorcery, Vampiric Tutor is an instant, offering a significant timing advantage by allowing for more flexibility during either player’s turns.

Diabolic Intent is another card that shares a resemblance with Imperial Seal. Although both cards enable the player to choose a specific card from their library, Diabolic Intent requires the additional cost of sacrificing a creature. The sacrifice can be a hindrance or be leveraged as an advantage, depending on the deck’s strategy. Then we compare Imperial Seal to Demonic Tutor – a potent tutor without life loss but at the slight increase in mana cost, demanding two mana of any color alongside the black mana.

Therefore, while Imperial Seal is a sought-after card for its ability to precisely sculpt the player’s upcoming draw, each tutor card offers unique benefits and downsides, which must be measured against the strategic requirements of a player’s deck. The meticulous balance between cost, speed, and additional effects is what defines the best tutor match for a player’s MTG strategy.

Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Imperial Seal by color, type and mana cost

Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Call to the Netherworld - MTG Card versions
Raven's Crime - MTG Card versions
Bone Splinters - MTG Card versions
Innocent Blood - MTG Card versions
Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Call to the Netherworld - MTG Card versions
Raven's Crime - MTG Card versions
Bone Splinters - MTG Card versions
Innocent Blood - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Imperial Seal. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Oath of DruidsOath of Druids VintageOath of DruidsEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Vintage Mainevent
JeffJeff Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
B/W MidB/W Mid Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Oops! All SpellsOops! All Spells VintageOops! All SpellsVintage Preliminary 2024-01-23
DoomsdayDoomsday VintageDoomsday2023 Asia Vintage Championship
Paradoxical OutcomeParadoxical Outcome VintageParadoxical OutcomeVintage Preliminary 2024-02-02
Mono-Black ComboMono-Black Combo Vintage2023 NA Vintage Champs
Sultai FlashSultai Flash Vintage2023 Asia Vintage Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Imperial Seal paves the way for controlled card selection by letting you pick any card from your deck to place on top. It ensures you get the right tool for your upcoming turn, enhancing hand consistency throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly adding mana, Imperial Seal functions as a resource accelerator by fetching crucial combo pieces or land tutors to streamline your game plan, effectively quickening your deck’s performance.

Instant Speed: Although Imperial Seal is a sorcery, the card you select can be anything, including an instant. It sets up potential plays for your next turn, keeping you agile and prepared to respond to opponents’ moves with a precisely curated hand.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Imperial Seal has a defined mana requirement, necessitating black mana in your pool, which could restrict its inclusion in multicolor decks that might struggle with mana fixing.

Discard Requirement: While not requiring an actual discard, using Imperial Seal effectively diminishes hand advantage by placing the chosen card on top of the library instead of into your hand, delaying immediate impact.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being just one black mana, the hefty secondary cost of paying 2 life can be significant in formats where life totals are under constant pressure, especially considering alternative search options that do not have this life loss.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Imperial Seal offers unparalleled utility in fetching crucial pieces from your library. This ability to search for any card ensures it can find a place in numerous deck archetypes, from control to combo.

Combo Potential: As a powerful tutor, Imperial Seal can be the linchpin in setting up game-winning combinations. It can search for missing pieces of a combo, enabling consistent execution of your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Given the competitive nature of various formats, having Imperial Seal in your arsenal can provide a significant edge. Its relevance in shaping early game tactics or recovering from disruption makes it a valuable tool in any strategic framework.


How to beat

The Imperial Seal card is an exceptional tutor card in MTG, enabling players to search their library for any card and place it on top. This powerful ability to shape your next draw can give a player a strategic advantage, securing just the right tool for coming turns. To effectively counter this, disrupting your opponent’s deck becomes a key tactic.

One approach involves using cards that force shuffles, like Field of Ruin or Ghost Quarter, after they cast Imperial Seal. By doing so, you can dilute the advantage gained by ensuring the carefully selected card gets lost in the shuffle. Another strategy could be employing counterspells to neutralize the Seal’s effect entirely. If the game progresses beyond this point, cards with hand disruption abilities, such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, can help mitigate the Seal’s impact by removing the key card before it’s played.

Ultimately, beating Imperial Seal largely comes down to timing, deck awareness, and having the right disruption tools at your disposal. By anticipating your opponent’s moves and responding with precise control, you can turn the tide in your favor despite their initial upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of deck construction in MTG is pivotal for any player looking to dominate the game. Imperial Seal can be a cornerstone in honing that mastery. It offers a reliable way to sift through your deck and pinpoint the perfect card for your next move, cementing its status as a key strategic asset. Embrace the opportunity to sculpt your hand with precision and reinforce your deck’s consistency. If you’re eager to dive deeper and luxuriate in the strategic depths MTG offers, join us as we uncover more insights and bolster your arsenal for the ultimate gameplay experience. Your journey of strategy, consistency, and control continues here.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imperial Seal MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Magic Online Promos, 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 Imperial Seal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Imperial Seal Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-05-01Portal Three KingdomsPTK 781997NormalWhiteLi Tie
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1022532015NormalBlackMark Tedin
32008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 961997NormalBlackLi Tie
42016-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2016J16 62015NormalBlackLi Tie
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 792015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran
62022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3542015NormalBorderlessMark Tedin
72022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4392015NormalBlackMilivoj Ćeran

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Imperial Seal has restrictions

FormatLegality
PredhLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyBanned
OathbreakerLegal
VintageRestricted
DuelBanned