Daggerclaw Imp MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 48
2009-04-10 - Number 33
2014-12-05 - Number 33
2015-05-22 - Number 74
2024-02-23 - Number 108
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Imp |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Daggerclaw Imp can't block.
The Simic use the claws as scalpels, while the Rakdos use them for tattooing and torture. The Gruul use them to pick their teeth after lunching on the rest of the carcass.
Cards like Daggerclaw Imp
Daggerclaw Imp is a unique creature in the roster of Magic: The Gathering, earning a spot in many decks favoring the flying trait and the evasion tactic. When considering alternatives, Skittering Skirge presents a similar capacity for soaring over blockers, though it sacrifices itself when you cast another creature spell. This self-destruct clause isn’t shared with Daggerclaw Imp, which freely allows you to expand your creature base without any repercussions.
Another parallel can be drawn with Vault Skirge, which not only flies but also boasts lifelink—an ability to gain life equal to the damage it deals. While Vault Skirge’s initial Phyrexian mana cost seems lower, it can potentially cost you precious life points, a trade-off not seen in the mana-efficient Daggerclaw Imp. Despite this, both serve as low-cost evasive threats.
Through comparison, Daggerclaw Imp earns its keep in decks looking for consistent aerial power without the added conditions its counterparts carry. Perfect for aggressive strategies, it remains unstifled by board buildup or life payments, showcasing its straightforward utility in the right settings.
Cards similar to Daggerclaw Imp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although the Daggerclaw Imp itself doesn’t directly let you draw more cards, its flying ability often ensures it connects with your opponent, leading to sustained pressure and indirectly preserving your card advantage by forcing opponents to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: Daggerclaw Imp doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration. However, its relatively low casting cost allows you to deploy other threats or resources alongside it quickly, maximizing your mana effectiveness early in the game.
Instant Speed: While the Imp isn’t cast at instant speed, its evasion capability means it can often remain untapped to block, effectively being a deterrent and allowing you to play spells on your turn without the worry of leaving yourself undefended.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Daggerclaw Imp can be a useful addition to a flying creature-oriented deck, it does have a drawback of a discard requirement. This mandatory cost must be paid to keep it on the battlefield, which can deplete your hand and affect your game strategy adversely if not managed carefully.
Specific Mana Cost: The Imp requires a specific mana cost allocation – one black mana and two of any color. For players who utilize multi-colored decks or those that don’t focus heavily on black mana, this can pose a challenge, potentially making the card less versatile and harder to cast on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, the Daggerclaw Imp may come across as having a high cost considering its abilities when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Players tend to evaluate the impact of a creature not just based on its abilities but also on how soon it can affect the board state. In competitive formats, this may result in the Imp being overlooked for other more cost-efficient creatures.
Reasons to Include Daggerclaw Imp in Your Collection
Versatility: Daggerclaw Imp offers flexibility in deck building, fitting nicely into aggressive strategies while offering evasion with flying. Its 3/1 stat line for three mana makes it a considerable threat in the early to mid-game.
Combo Potential: This Imp creature can synergize with cards that benefit from flying creatures or those that capitalize on the number of creatures you control. Moreover, it can be a recipient of various pump spells or equipment to enhance its impact on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where the skies are less contested or slower ground-based decks prevail, Daggerclaw Imp shines by consistently pressing for damage and maintaining board presence, especially when combined with cards that clear the path for flyers.
How to Beat
The Daggerclaw Imp can be a tricky foe in MTG due to its evasion ability, flying over ground-based defense with ease. However, this doesn’t make it invincible. Defeating the Imp hinges on either grounding it with reach or aerial blockers, or by deploying targeted removal spells.
To neutralize the threat, spells like Fatal Push or Shock can dispatch the Imp before it accumulates damage and leverage. Flying-heavy decks should include creatures that can block on the same axis, ensuring the Imp doesn’t slip through defenses unchallenged. In addition, enchantments such as Pacifism can effectively immobilize it without needing to resort to a direct confrontation.
Ultimately, the key is maintaining control over the board and making judicious use of your spells and abilities. If kept unchecked, the Imp can tip the scales, but with the right strategy and a composed approach, it can be reduced to a mere nuisance rather than a game-ending threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Daggerclaw Imp MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic, 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 Daggerclaw Imp 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Daggerclaw Imp Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 48 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 33 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 3 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 33 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 4 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 74 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 5 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 108 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Daggerclaw Imp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |