Metallic Mimic MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Shapeshifter
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Metallic Mimic offers long-term card advantage by enhancing creatures of the chosen type.
  2. Increases potency of creatures played after, boosting effectiveness of mana invested.
  3. While not instant speed, its proactive buff shapes the game’s pace and control.

Text of card

As Metallic Mimic enters the battlefield, choose a creature type. Metallic Mimic is the chosen type in addition to its other types. Each other creature you control of the chosen type enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Metallic Mimic sets the stage for long-term card advantage by bolstering every subsequent creature of the chosen type that enters the battlefield, effectively enhancing future draws by providing an immediate and lasting power/toughness boost as you deploy your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While the Mimic itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it indirectly facilitates resource acceleration by increasing the potency of your creatures. This boost can lead to a more efficient use of your mana, as each creature played after the Mimic enters with an extra +1/+1 counter, potentially reducing the need for further investment to achieve a desired board state.

Instant Speed: Although Metallic Mimic’s capabilities are not activated at instant speed, it’s an impactful card that pays dividends quickly. Cast during your main phase, it primes the battlefield so every creature spell cast thereafter instantly benefits, exemplifying a proactive form of battlefield control that can shape the pace and outcome of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Metallic Mimic itself does not ask you to discard cards, it may require deck adjustments to ensure creature type consistency which can indirectly pressure your hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Metallic Mimic’s cost demands two generic mana which, while flexible, can be challenging in early turns for three or more colored decks that are trying to maintain a smooth mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its ability to grant counters it is efficient, yet its initial 2/1 body is somewhat fragile and can be overshadowed by cheaper creatures with immediate impact or stronger ones with similar mana costs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Metallic Mimic offers a flexible role in numerous tribal decks across various formats. By choosing a creature type as it enters the battlefield, it seamlessly adapts to synergize with the creatures present, bolstering the overall synergy of the deck.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature can be part of numerous combos, particularly in decks that exploit +1/+1 counters. It not only buffs your creatures with additional power and toughness but can also interact with other cards that respond to counters being placed on creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Due to its ability to strengthen a wide range of tribal strategies, Metallic Mimic remains pertinent in metagames that favor creature-based tactics. Its presence can tip the balance of a match, making it a valuable asset against various competitive decks.


How to beat

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Metallic Mimic is a potent tool for creature-based strategies, strengthening your tribe of choice from the moment it hits the battlefield. However, like all cards, it has its vulnerabilities. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, level the playing field and remove its ongoing effect. Moreover, targeted removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Mimic before it starts to bolster your opponent’s forces. Another tactic is countering it with spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, preventing its deployment in the first place.

Artifact removal is also highly effective. Cards like Nature’s Claim, Abrade, or even specialized hate cards like Stony Silence can specifically target the Mimic due to its artifact nature. It’s crucial to handle it swiftly; the longer it remains on board, the more value it generates for your opponent. In conclusion, keeping a versatile removal suite in your deck gives you the upper hand against Metallic Mimic, ensuring you can swiftly mitigate its impact and maintain control of the game state. Utilize these strategies, and you’ll neutralize the threat it poses to your victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Metallic Mimic shines as a strategic power play within the realm of MTG. Its unique ability to fortify your army of creatures as each one arrives on the field can quickly change the tide of battle. The synergy it offers with tribal decks makes it a compelling inclusion in any player’s arsenal. Whether you’re tweaking your deck to optimize performance or seeking ways to exploit +1/+1 counter mechanics, the Mimic provides both combo potential and a significant tactical advantage. To fully harness its potential and understand how to effectively integrate or combat it in matches, delve deeper into our insights. Explore the nuances of MTG with us and refine your strategy for peak performance at your next duel.


Cards like Metallic Mimic

Metallic Mimic has cemented itself as a potent choice for tribal decks in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterpart might be Adaptive Automaton, which also grants a +1/+1 boost to a chosen creature type. However, the Mimic is unique with its ability to support creatures entering the battlefield after it, while the Automaton benefits the team already in play.

Another parallel could be drawn with the card Arcbound Ravager. Both share the synergy with artifact creatures and the ability to alter the battlefield’s state. Yet, the Ravager excels in modular mechanics, sacrificing other artifacts to bolster itself, differing from the preemptive buffing style of Metallic Mimic.

Ultimately, while there are other cards that tailor to specific tribes or amplify artifact strategies, Metallic Mimic’s early game impact and versatility across various creature-based decks give it an edge within its niche. It adeptly combines adaptability with a proactive approach to empowering creatures, setting it apart from similar MTG cards.

Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - Magic 2012 (M12)
Arcbound Ravager - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Metallic Mimic by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Winter Orb - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Ankh of Mishra - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Amulet of Kroog - Rinascimento (RIN)
Nacre Talisman - Ice Age (ICE)
Howling Mine - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Essence Bottle - Tempest (TMP)
Emerald Medallion - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Scrying Glass - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Cursed Totem - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Tsabo's Web - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Millikin - Odyssey (ODY)
Swiftfoot Boots - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Ark of Blight - Scourge (SCG)
Surestrike Trident - Darksteel (DST)
Demon's Horn - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Energy Chamber - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Water Gun Balloon Game - Unhinged (UNH)
Angel's Feather - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Elsewhere Flask - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Metallic Mimic MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt Promos and Aether Revolt, 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 Metallic Mimic and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Metallic Mimic Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-01-20Aether Revolt PromosPAER 164s2015normalblackZack Stella
22017-01-20Aether RevoltAER 1642015normalblackZack Stella
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 1942015normalborderlessFiona Staples
42020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 2512015normalblackZack Stella
52023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 3082015normalblackZack Stella

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Metallic Mimic has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Metallic Mimic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2017-02-09 Creatures of the chosen type that enter the battlefield at the same time as Metallic Mimic won't enter with an additional +1/+1 counter.
2017-02-09 Even though Metallic Mimic is a Shapeshifter, other Shapeshifter creatures you control won't get a +1/+1 counter unless you chose Shapeshifter as Metallic Mimic entered the battlefield. If you do, that creature must be entering the battlefield as a Shapeshifter to get a +1/+1 counter. It won't get a +1/+1 counter if it enters the battlefield as a copy of a non-Shapeshifter creature.
2017-02-09 The choice of creature type is made as Metallic Mimic enters the battlefield. Players can't respond to this choice. Metallic Mimic's second ability starts applying immediately.
2017-02-09 You must choose an existing creature type. "Artifact" and "Vehicle" aren't creature types.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks