Clone Shell MTG Card

Clone Shell creates card advantage by setting up future board impact with its imprint ability. It can circumvent higher creature costs, providing a tempo boost to your game plan. Offers synergy with instant-speed interactions, allowing for unexpected battlefield shifts.

Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
2010-10-01 - Number 143

Double Masters (2XM)
2020-08-07 - Number 241

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Shapeshifter
Abilities	Imprint
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Imprint — When Clone Shell enters the battlefield, look at the top four cards of your library, exile one face down, then put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order. When Clone Shell is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, turn the exiled card face up. If it's a creature card, put it onto the battlefield under your control.

Cards like Clone Shell

Clone Shell offers an interesting dynamic to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering, intersecting with the game’s broader theme of card advantage and surprise elements. It shares a kinship with other artifact creatures like Precursor Golem, which also brings additional bodies on the board. However, Clone Shell introduces an element of suspense with its imprint ability, potentially unveiling a powerful creature from among the concealed cards beneath it, akin to a delayed Pandemonium effect.

Another card with resemblance in strategy is the Whisperwood Elemental. It shares the concept of manifesting, which can turn any card into a creature temporarily, yet Clone Shell’s utility is tied to a single, possibly game-altering creature reveal. Fibblethip, the Lost echoes Clone Shell’s potential for a play pattern that spills into an unexpected cascade of value, but it activates upon entry, contrasting Clone Shell’s delayed trigger upon departure.

Observing the lineup, Clone Shell stands distinct with its ability to potentially swing the game upon leaving the battlefield, introducing an exciting layer to deck construction and in-game decision-making. Its unique trait offers players a crafty way to embed threats within their artifact creature base, carefully orchestrating a reveal that could turn the tides.

Whisperwood Elemental - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Clone Shell by color, type and mana cost

The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clone Shell provides a unique mechanism to peek into your library and potentially put a powerful creature onto the battlefield. The ability to imprint a creature when Clone Shell enters the battlefield, and later have that creature enter the game when Clone Shell is put into the graveyard, can be a significant shift in board presence and advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This synergistic artifact creature can fit into strategies that aim for resource acceleration. By setting up a high-impact creature to enter the battlefield through the Clone Shell’s ability, players can effectively bypass the mana cost of casting the creature directly from their hand, gaining a tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: While Clone Shell itself does not operate at instant speed, it can be paired with instant-speed tricks to surprise opponents. For example, utilizing sacrifice outlets or destruction effects during an opponent’s turn can trigger Clone Shell’s ability unexpectedly, potentially turning the tide of the game by bringing a powerful ally into play at a crucial moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Clone Shell involves a unique yet potentially costly mechanic. When it dies, you reveal the top card of your deck and possibly put a creature into play. This randomness means you could discard a high-value card without guaranteeing a return on your investment.

Specific Mana Cost: Clone Shell commands a precise mana configuration of three colorless and one white mana, which could pose deck-building constraints. Decks not focusing on white may find it challenging to accommodate Clone Shell’s mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost totaling four mana, Clone Shell’s upfront investment might be considered steep compared to other cards with similar effects. Players could potentially use their mana more efficiently by choosing alternatives that offer immediate value or lower-cost synergies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clone Shell offers an adaptable inclusion for decks that take advantage of the Imprint mechanic, allowing the storage of a creature card from your library for a surprise reveal upon its departure from the battlefield. This flexibility can enhance control or flicker strategies which aim to leverage the element of surprise.

Combo Potential: When combined with methods to manipulate or look at the top cards of your library, Clone Shell can be part of potent combos, ensuring the desired creature is ready to emerge. It fits into artifact and reanimator themes where its destruction triggers value beyond the immediate board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board wipes and removal are prevalent, Clone Shell maintains relevance. It serves as both a deterrent and a resilient threat that can deter opponents from targeting it, lest they release the imprinted creature lurking within.

How to beat Clone Shell

Clone Shell presents a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield. As an artifact creature with imprint, when it enters the battlefield, you may exile a card from your library face down, then Clone Shell dies, the exiled card lands onto the battlefield. This ability can bring out powerful creatures early in the game, making Clone Shell an enticing pick for any deck with big high-cost creatures.

Still, overcoming the Clone Shell’s potential doesn’t require extraordinary measures. Removal spells such as Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can interrupt the combo by removing the Shell before it triggers, ensuring your opponent doesn’t gain its substantial advantage. Counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto are also valuable, as they can stop Clone Shell from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Remember, handling the Shell early on is critical, as once the imprinted creature is unleashed, it could very well tilt the game in your opponent’s favor. Be on the lookout for removal opportunities, and keep counterspells handy to disrupt your opponent’s plans.

Mastering your strategy against cards like Clone Shell enhances your gameplay experience, and understanding when to disrupt an opponent’s strategy is key. A well-timed removal or counterspell can turn the tides and pave the way towards victory. Keep your tactics versatile and responsive while facing off against Clone Shell to maintain control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clone Shell MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Double Masters, 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 Clone Shell and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Clone Shell Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2010-10-01	Scars of Mirrodin	SOM		143	2003	Normal	Black	Volkan Baǵa
2	2020-08-07	Double Masters	2XM		241	2015	Normal	Black	Volkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Clone Shell has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-08-07	As Clone Shell's first ability resolves, you must exile one of the cards you look at, even if none of them is a creature card.
2020-08-07	As Clone Shell's second ability resolves, if the exiled card is not a creature card, it simply remains in exile face up.
2020-08-07	If you gain control of another player's Clone Shell, you can't look at the face-down exiled card. However, if Clone Shell dies, you turn that card face up and, if it's a creature card, you put it onto the battlefield under your control.