Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory MTG Card
2021-04-23 - Number 326
2021-04-23 - Number 152
2002-06-24 - Number 90244
2021-04-23 - Number 52s
2021-04-23 - Number 52
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Bird Wizard |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying , : Exile the top X cards of your library and put a study counter on each of them. Then you may put a card you own in exile with a study counter on it into your hand.
Cards like Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory
Imbraham, Dean of Theory stands out as a strategic powerhouse within the roster of MTG wizard cards. Likened to cards such as Jace, Mirror Mage, it comes with its own unique brand of adaptability and potential card advantage. Jace similarly provides an option to scry and draw, but Imbraham allows a peek at the top three cards, offering more control over upcoming plays. Unlike Jace, Imbraham’s built-in ability to exile and then play cards with magecraft provides a different angle of deck manipulation.
Another peer to Imbraham would be Narset, Parter of Veils. While Narset restricts opponents from drawing more than one card each turn, thereby controlling the flow of the game, Imbraham’s magecraft triggers support one’s own flow and hand-building tactics. Moreover, Narset digs for noncreature, nonland cards specifically, while Imbraham may reveal a wider range of potential plays. Additionally, Nadir Kraken is a comparable creature for its ability to strengthen with card draw, yet lacks the direct broad strategy shaping maneuvers that Imbraham offers.
In sum, while there are various cards with abilities to sculpt the hand and strategize board stance, Imbraham, Dean of Theory serves up a blend of versatility with magecraft mechanics that position it favorably among its counterparts in MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Imbraham, Dean of Theory excels in granting additional draws through its second ability, where tapping it allows you to exile the top card of your library, adding it to a collection of ideas you can access later. This ability can accumulate numerous cards over time, providing a significant advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Its magecraft ability triggers whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, letting you scry 1. This not only filters your upcoming draws but can also ramp up your options by revealing more spells to cast, synergizing well with decks focused on casting numerous spells in quick succession.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Imbraham’s second ability at instant speed means you can choose the optimal time to utilize it, such as at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to actions that would otherwise leave you without a play. This strategic flexibility can surprise opponents and tip the scales in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Imbraham, Dean of Theory necessitates discarding a card to utilize its ability. This requirement can be a setback in situations where you’re holding onto pivotal pieces of your strategy or when your hand is running low, compromising your flexibility and resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This wizard demands a rigorous blue-heavy mana setup to cast, which might not seamlessly integrate into multicolored or off-theme decks. The precise mana requirement could potentially hamper the card’s adaptability and restrict its inclusion to strictly blue or blue-centric builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that leans on the higher side, Imbraham, Dean of Theory competes for a slot in your deck against other impactful cards that may offer more immediate or broad-reaching effects. The investment in both setup and execution might not always align with the pace and demands of every game situation, making it less appealing compared to lower-cost alternatives.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Imbraham, Dean of Theory, offers an adaptable presence in decks looking to capitalize on spell synergies or manipulate draws. His ability to scry not only ensures a smoother flow of game play but also assists in setting up predictable turns, making him a valuable asset to any collection.
Combo Potential: The second ability of Imbraham, Dean of Theory, which turns knowledge into power—quite literally—allows players to translate a hefty number of cards in hand into an impressive array of tokens on the battlefield. This trait makes him particularly potent in decks that thrive on such transformations and can be the cornerstone of numerous combo strategies.
Meta-Relevance: With a continuously evolving competitive scene, including cards that hold their ground across various metas is essential. Imbraham, Dean of Theory’s ability to influence both the board and the players’ options ensure that he remains relevant, adapting fluidly whether you’re up against aggressive, control, or combo archetypes.
How to beat
Imbraham, Dean of Theory is a notable card that poses a significant challenge in Magic: The Gathering matches. With its ability to sift through the library and potentially cast spells for no mana cost, it can give opponents a distinct advantage. The key to overcoming Imbraham is disruption. Utilize spells that force your opponent to discard, counter critical spell casts, or remove Imbraham from play before it can impact the game.
Direct removal spells are efficient against Imbraham, ensuring it doesn’t stay on the battlefield to give your opponent extra value. Additionally, cards that can shuffle your opponent’s library disrupt their setup from Imbraham’s second ability, mitigating the payoff from their investment. Lastly, maintaining a clock with your own threatening creatures or pressure can force an opponent to react defensively, reducing the opportunity for them to fully utilize Imbraham’s abilities.
Overall, a proactive and interactive strategy will often thwart Imbraham, Dean of Theory. Carefully timing your responses and keeping the pressure up will diminish the card’s potential impact on the game and help lead your strategy to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven Art Series, 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 Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 90244 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Ryan Pancoast | ||
| 2 | Strixhaven Art Series | ASTX | 52s | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Ryan Pancoast | ||
| 3 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 326 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 4 | Strixhaven Art Series | ASTX | 52 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Ryan Pancoast | ||
| 5 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 152 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kianne, Dean of Substance // Imbraham, Dean of Theory card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-04-16 | Cards are exiled face up unless an effect states otherwise. |
| 2021-04-16 | Exiled cards with study counters on them retain their study counters even if Kianne or Imbraham leave the battlefield. |
| 2021-04-16 | The second abilities of both Kianne and Imbraham look at all cards you own in exile with study counters, even if they were exiled by a different permanent, such as another Kianne or Imbraham. |
| 2021-04-16 | You may choose 0 as the value of X as you activate Imbraham’s last ability. If you do, you will not exile any cards from your library. However, you may still put a card previously exiled with a study counter on it into your hand. |