Daggerdrome Imp MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 60
2018-06-08 - Number 140
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Imp |
| Abilities | Flying,Lifelink |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Lifelink (Damage dealt by this creature also causes you to gain that much life.)
One of the many reasons why open-air markets close at dusk.
Cards like Daggerdrome Imp
Daggerdrome Imp is a unique creature card within the MTG universe, presenting a niche role in decks that focus on life-gain strategies. Notably, it shares similarities with other small, evasive creatures such as Vault Skirge. Both come with flying and life-gain abilities, although Vault Skirge starts off as an artifact creature and requires Phyrexian mana to cast, potentially for a lower cost and at the expense of life instead of color-specific mana.
Comparatively, Baleful Strix emerges as an alternative, also equipped with flying and offering card draw on entering the battlefield alongside deathtouch, which gives it an edge in board control. However, unlike Daggerdrome Imp, Baleful Strix does not have the recurring life-gain mechanic. Then there is Thieving Sprite, a card that forges a different path with flying and a discard effect, imposing a more direct disruption to the opponent, albeit without the benefit of boosting the player’s life total.
Ultimately, while cards like Daggerdrome Imp might not overtly tip the scales of a match, their inclusion can subtly enhance specific deck strategies, adding incremental advantages that life-gain aficionados value in the nuanced play mechanics of MTG.
Cards similar to Daggerdrome Imp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Daggerdrome Imp itself does not offer direct card draws, its presence can contribute to card advantage due to its lifelink ability. Each successful attack not only depletes an opponent’s life but can also synergize with other cards that trigger on life gain, potentially drawing you more cards or providing other advantages.
Resource Acceleration: Daggerdrome Imp isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration; however, as a low-cost creature with flying, it can help maintain pressure on your opponent without consuming significant resources, leaving more mana available for casting other impactful spells throughout the game.
Instant Speed: The Imp itself is a creature card and not an instant; but, the lifelink ability can be unexpectedly beneficial during combat where it’s about subtlety rather than speed. Being a low-cost flying creature, it provides opportunities to play other instant-speed spells to disrupt your opponent while slowly gaining you life.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Daggerdrome Imp could be a hurdle if your strategy relies heavily on card retention. Its synergy with discard effects might compel you to get rid of valuable cards, diminishing your hand and impacting your game presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Daggerdrome Imp’s mana cost makes it accessible only in decks with black mana. This specificity can restrict the card’s versatility, making it a less optimal choice for multicolored or mana-flexible decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Daggerdrome Imp is not excessively expensive, there are alternative creatures with lifelink that offer similar or better stats and abilities for the same or lower mana investment. This makes Daggerdrome Imp a less competitive option in decks focused on efficiency.
Reasons to Include Daggerdrome Imp in Your Collection
Versatility: Daggerdrome Imp offers a reliable and cost-effective creature slot in many black-focused decks. Its ability to fly makes it a solid choice for evading ground defenses, while its lifelink offers a way to maintain life totals in longer games.
Combo Potential: With its lifelink, the Imp complements strategies that hinge on life gain or require a steady flow of incremental advantages. It’s an ideal enabler for archetypes built around life total manipulation or for triggering synergies with other life-related cards.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with a prevalence of aggressive, low-to-the-ground strategies, Daggerdrome Imp can not only hold its own by securing the skies but also turn the tide with its potent lifelink, keeping its controller in the game longer and offering a persistent threat that must be answered.
How to beat
Daggerdrome Imp is a nimble creature card that brings a unique blend of evasion and resilience to the battlefield in MTG. With its flying ability, it can dodge many ground-based defenses, and its lifelink provides a continuous source of health gain for its controller. It’s a card that often sneaks under the radar, potentially causing significant damage over time if left unchecked.
The key to overcoming the challenge posed by Daggerdrome Imp lies in its modest toughness. Removal spells that can target a flying creature, such as Murder or Shock, can easily take it down due to its limited durability. Additionally, it’s crucial to have flying blockers or reach-enabled creatures ready to intercede. Cards like Giant Spider offer a cost-effective way to defend against flying threats without investing in expensive spells. Another strategy includes employing board sweepers, such as Wrath of God, to clear multiple threats at once, including pesky fliers like the Imp.
Understanding its weaknesses, players must prioritize the removal of Daggerdrome Imp or mitigate its lifelink impact before it can accrue too much value for the opponent, integrating threat management that could tilt the odds in their favor regardless of their strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Daggerdrome Imp MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Battlebond, 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 Daggerdrome 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 Daggerdrome Imp Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Jack Wang.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 60 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jack Wang | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jack Wang |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Daggerdrome Imp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |