Impeccable Timing MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Maintains card advantage by eliminating creatures without sacrificing hand size.
  2. Offers a strategic edge by reacting to the opponent’s moves in combat.
  3. While mana efficient, its utility is conditional on the creature’s state.

Text of card

Impeccable Timing deals 3 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

When Baral constructed his trap for Chandra, he did not account for the arrival of an enormous leonin wielding a twin-headed axe.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Impeccable Timing shines in its ability to give players a tactical edge without losing card momentum. As it efficiently deals with attacking or blocking creatures, it keeps the board state in your favor while preserving the cards in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card does not directly contribute to resource acceleration in the traditional sense of ramping mana. However, by removing key threats for a low mana cost, it allows you to allocate resources more effectively elsewhere, be it developing your board or holding up mana for other crucial spells.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed is a significant pro for Impeccable Timing. It grants you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn, potentially disrupting their strategies. Being able to decide the most opportune moment to play it, whether it’s during the combat phase to eliminate a threat or end of turn to ensure your next turn is as efficient as possible, adds to its strategic value.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Impeccable Timing requires no discard, maintaining your hand size and preserving resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost necessitates both white mana and colorless mana, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not excessively costly, Impeccable Timing’s two mana investment for a conditional damage effect might be seen as inefficient when compared to other instant-speed removal options in MTG that offer more flexibility or a permanent solution.


Reasons to Include Impeccable Timing in Your Collection

Versatility: Impeccable Timing is a flexible removal tool that can be included in a variety of white decks. Whether played in aggressive strategies to clear a path for attackers or in control decks as defense, this card can adapt to multiple game scenarios.

Combo Potential: As a low-cost instant, it can easily be combined with cards that benefit from spell casting, or it can help to trigger prowess-like abilities. This can lead to powerful plays that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where combat plays a significant role, having the ability to interact during the combat phase can be crucial. Impeccable Timing can disrupt opponents’ plans and remove key creatures when they’re most vulnerable, making it a worthwhile inclusion in metas with creature-based strategies.


How to beat

Impeccable Timing is a control tool found in the arsenal of many Magic: The Gathering players who favor White-affiliated strategies. This card presents itself as a spot removal option, designed to deal 3 damage to an attacking or blocking creature for a modest investment of two mana. Given its damage output, it can be particularly effective against early to mid-game threats that could otherwise pressure your life total or challenge your board presence.

Counteracting Impeccable Timing requires a proactive approach. The most straightforward strategy is to increase the toughness of your creatures beyond the range of its damage potential. This can be done through buffs, counters, equipment, or auras that grow your creature’s resilience. Additionally, utilizing creatures with indestructible or having regeneration abilities can render Impeccable Timing obsolete against them. Furthermore, playing at instant speed by holding back creatures as flash threats can mitigate the risk of walking into open mana that could signal this removal spell.

Understanding when to commit to the board and when to hold back is crucial in outmaneuvering Impeccable Timing. By carefully considering the mana your opponent leaves untapped and adapting your playstyle accordingly, you can effectively dodge this timely disruption and maintain the upper hand in your duels.


Cards like Impeccable Timing

Impeccable Timing is an intriguing piece in the family of damage-based removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to other instant-speed removal spells like Lightning Strike or Shock, with its main function being the ability to disrupt the opponent’s creatures. However, unlike those spells which can target any creature or opponent regardless of their state, Impeccable Timing requires a creature to be attacking or blocking to be a valid target, making it a more conditional option.

Another card worth mentioning is Gideon’s Reproach, which also deals damage to attacking or blocking creatures, but it offers four damage instead of three. This slight increase in damage potential can be crucial in eliminating larger threats. Conversely, Impeccable Timing costs one less mana, making it a more mana-efficient choice in the early game or when maintaining a tight curve is essential.

Evaluating the utility and efficiency of Impeccable Timing against its counterparts is essential for players when shaping their strategies. Its precise window of opportunity presents both an advantage in mana efficiency and a limitation by its conditional usage, positioning it uniquely within the suite of targeted damage spells.

Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Gideon's Reproach - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - Theros (THS)
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Gideon's Reproach - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)

Cards similar to Impeccable Timing by color, type and mana cost

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blow - MTG Card versions
Sacred Boon - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Bathe in Light - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Graceful Reprieve - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Divine Offering - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Lightning Blow - Ice Age (ICE)
Sacred Boon - Ice Age (ICE)
Alabaster Potion - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Invulnerability - Tempest (TMP)
Remedy - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Rhystic Shield - Prophecy (PCY)
Samite Ministration - Invasion (INV)
Shield Wall - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Life Burst - Odyssey (ODY)
Shelter - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Equal Treatment - Torment (TOR)
Aura Extraction - Onslaught (ONS)
Raise the Alarm - Mirrodin (MRD)
Test of Faith - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Echoing Calm - Darksteel (DST)
Bathe in Light - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Dawn Charm - Commander Legends (CMR)
Graceful Reprieve - Morningtide (MOR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Impeccable Timing MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Amonkhet, 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 Impeccable Timing and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Impeccable Timing Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 192015normalblackChris Rallis
22017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 182015normalblackKev Walker
32020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 242015normalblackKev Walker
42020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 232015normalblackChris Rallis
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 1952015normalblackChris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Impeccable Timing has restrictions

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

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