Battlegate Mimic MTG Card
2008-07-25 - Number 133
2009-09-04 - Number 98
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Shapeshifter |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever you play a spell that's both red and white, Battlegate Mimic becomes 4/2 and gains first strike until end of turn.
Mimics don't need perfect disguises. They need only the perfect victims: the naive, the young, or the poor of sight.
Cards like Battlegate Mimic
Battlegate Mimic stands out as an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, sharing qualities with other shapeshifters such as Fire-Belly Changeling. Both have the ability to adapt to various creature types, which can be critical during gameplay. However, Battlegate Mimic benefits from the presence of multicolored spells, transitioning into a powerful 4/2 creature until end of turn without extra mana investment, a feature Fire-Belly Changeling does not possess.
Volos Guide to Monsters echoes this flexible nature, adjusting its power based on the diversity of creature types present, yet it requires a higher mana investment. Woodland Changeling is another shapeshifter that shares Battlegate Mimic’s versatility, but it lacks the Mimic’s aggressive stat boost. Battlegate Mimic thus strikes a balance between mana efficiency and the potential for significant combat impact.
Overall, Battlegate Mimic provides players with a unique combat advantage, especially in decks that celebrate multicolor spells. Its ability to switch from a supportive role to a formidable attacker gives players tactical versatility that is matched by few others in the realm of creature-type flexibility in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Battlegate Mimic by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Battlegate Mimic doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, its ability to become a formidable creature when paired with the right spells can give you tactical superiority. The transformation condition encourages a synergistic deck-build, promoting efficient use of cards in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While resource acceleration isn’t the primary function of Battlegate Mimic, its low casting cost makes it a solid addition in the early game. Swiftly getting a creature on the board can force your opponent to respond sooner than they might like, stretching their resources thin.
Instant Speed: The ability of this card to benefit from instant spells that change its color casts a spotlight on the value of playing at instant speed. Casting a multicolored instant on your opponent’s turn not only buffs the Mimic but also keeps the element of surprise in your favor, maintaining pressure and forcing your opponent to play reactively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The playability of Battlegate Mimic can suffer due to its reliance on other cards to unlock its full potential. Without the presence of multicolored spells to trigger its transformation, it remains just a standard 2/1 creature, which could be a missed opportunity for card synergy during gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: Battlegate Mimic demands a precise hybrid mana cost of red and white. This particular requirement can restrict the card’s incorporation into decks, making it primarily favorable for Boros (red/white) decks and potentially cumbersome for players not running these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that hinges on other multicolored spells for activation, Battlegate Mimic’s mana cost might be seen as steep compared to other two-cost creatures. Its dependency on an external catalyst to become a 3/1 with first strike could lead players to opt for other creatures that offer immediate and independent value.
Reasons to Include Battlegate Mimic in Your Collection
Versatility: Battlegate Mimic is adept at fitting within a broad spectrum of decks. Particularly, it thrives in environments that welcome multi-colored spells, as it transforms to match the power of those spells.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with other cards that benefit from color-matching or when you drop a clutch spell that bolsters multicolored synergy—leading potentially to a cascade of advantageous plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to quickly adapt on the battlefield, Battlegate Mimic could prove to be a strategic asset especially if the current competitive scene values adaptive and responsive gameplay.
How to beat
Battlegate Mimic is an intriguing creature each player should be prepared for when facing an opponent utilizing a deck that hinges on the W/R hybrid mana. Understanding the mechanics of the card is vital to countering it effectively. This creature thrives on the synergy with spells that are both white and red. In order to prevent the Mimic from becoming a force on the battlefield, it’s crucial to limit the number of multicolored spells that resolve while it’s in play.
An effective strategy is to employ instant-speed removal spells that can target Battlegate Mimic before its controller can play a multicolored spell that would trigger its ability. It’s also wise to manage the board by using removal spells that can handle multiple creatures at once, such as board wipes, which nullify the Mimic’s power boost by resetting the battlefield. Additionally, keeping a control deck at hand with counterspells to prevent multicolored spells from ever hitting the board is an efficient way to keep Battlegate Mimic in check.
Lastly, it’s important to maintain a quick pace and pressure your opponent, ideally putting them in a defensive position where they need to block with the Mimic, in which case it becomes a mere roadblock rather than a combat threat. Understanding your own deck’s capabilities to disrupt your opponent’s strategy while advancing your game plan is key to overcoming the challenge posed by Battlegate Mimic.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Battlegate Mimic MTG card by a specific set like Eventide and Planechase, 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 Battlegate Mimic and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Battlegate Mimic Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-07-25 | Eventide | EVE | 133 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 98 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Battlegate Mimic has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Battlegate Mimic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | Any other abilities the Mimic may have gained are not affected. |
| 2008-08-01 | If you cast a spell that’s the two appropriate colors for the second time in a turn, the ability triggers again. The Mimic will once again become the power and toughness stated in its ability, which could overwrite power- and toughness-setting effects that have been applied to it in the meantime. |
| 2008-08-01 | The ability triggers whenever you cast a spell that’s both of its listed colors. It doesn’t matter whether that spell also happens to be any other colors. |
| 2009-10-01 | The effect from the ability overwrites other effects that set power and/or toughness if and only if those effects existed before the ability resolved. It will not overwrite effects that modify power or toughness (whether from a static ability, counters, or a resolved spell or ability), nor will it overwrite effects that set power and toughness which come into existence after the ability resolves. Effects that switch the creature’s power and toughness are always applied after any other power or toughness changing effects, including this one, regardless of the order in which they are created. |