Foul Imp MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 59
2001-04-11 - Number 136
2001-04-11 - Number 136★
2005-07-29 - Number 132★
2005-07-29 - Number 132
2009-04-10 - Number 32
2014-12-05 - Number 32
2016-09-02 - Number 49
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Imp |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Foul Imp comes into play, lose 2 life.
The imp, unaware of its own odor, paused to catch its breath . . . and promptly died.
Cards like Foul Imp
Foul Imp is a creature card with its own distinctive place in Magic: The Gathering lore. Its closest relative is Skittering Skirge. Both are black flying creatures that present a trade-off at casting. Foul Imp requires payment of 2 life, whereas Skittering Skirge will be sacrificed when another creature enters the field under your control. This puts a certain pressure on players to strategize their creature plays a bit more meticulously.
Another card in the same vein is Blood Pet, slightly less expensive in terms of mana cost yet offers a once-off mana ability at the price of sacrificing it. Foul Imp, however, stands out as it sticks around to pose an aerial threat and potential damage over time. Finally, we can consider Carrier Thrall, which offers a lesser initial hit but generates a 1/1 Eldrazi Scion creature token that can be sacrificed for mana upon death. Foul Imp doesn’t have this feature but makes up for that with consistent flying presence.
Foul Imp holds its ground as a choice for decks that benefit from the balance of its cost to efficacy ratio, especially when constant flying pressure is a key tactic in your MTG strategy.
Cards similar to Foul Imp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Foul Imp enables robust card selection strategies, as sacrificing it can be part of a grander plan to synergize with graveyard mechanics, effectively opening the door to deck recursion and selection tools that capitalize on discarded or sacrificed creatures.
Resource Acceleration: While Foul Imp itself may not directly accelerate resources, including it in your deck allows you to pivot into plays that benefit from having creatures in your graveyard, potentially paving the way for larger threats or setting up for a dynamic resource conversion later in the game.
Instant Speed: Although Foul Imp is a creature that does not operate at instant speed, incorporating it into strategies that utilize instant speed removal or graveyard-triggered abilities can maximize your response time, keeping opponents on their toes as you benefit from Foul Imp’s presence and its potential sacrifices on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Foul Imp necessitates the discard of a card upon entrance to the battlefield if you choose to pay its alternative casting cost. This self-inflicted card disadvantage could put you in a tight spot, especially if your hand is already running low on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Foul Imp’s casting cost requires two black mana, which can be restrictive. This stipulation makes it less versatile since it’s harder to slot into multicolor decks not heavily based in black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that only provides a 2/2 flying body, Foul Imp’s total cost of three mana (two of which are black) is fairly steep. In a game where board presence and tempo are key, there are alternative lower-cost creatures that can offer more impact on the board sooner.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Foul Imp fits easily into decks that are built around life total manipulation or black devotion strategies, thanks to its flying ability and flexible casting cost.
Combo Potential: This creature can work well in tandem with cards that reward you for paying life or having demons on the battlefield, amplifying its potential impact beyond just attacking and blocking.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where small creatures are prevalent, the evasive nature of Foul Imp can provide a consistent means of chipping away at your opponent’s life total, making it a card worth considering for your collection.
How to beat
The Foul Imp is a creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can present a unique hurdle due to its flying ability, making it elusive to blockers without reach or flying. When this creature graces the battlefield, players are often required to pay 2 life, a trade-off that its controller deems worthwhile for a bit of early game aggression.
To confidently surpass this obstacle, consider employing removal spells that can target creatures in the air. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder are effective tools in your arsenal to dispatch the Foul Imp efficiently. Should you run a deck without such targeted removal, another strategy is to utilize board wipes like Wrath of God or any spell with the ability to clear multiple creatures to level the playing field.
In summary, knowing your enemy’s strengths and weaknesses is as vital as understanding your own resources. With the right tactics and timely spells, the Foul Imp’s advantage in the skies can be mitigated, ensuring your path to victory remains without demonic interference.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Foul Imp MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Seventh Edition, 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 Foul 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 Foul Imp Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2016-09-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 59 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 136 | 1997 | Normal | White | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 136★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 132★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 132 | 2003 | Normal | White | Kev Walker | |
| 6 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 32 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 7 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 8 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 49 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Foul Imp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Foul Imp card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You can cast this if you have less than 2 life, since the life is lost as an effect and not a payment. |