Impede Momentum MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Scry |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Number | 54 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Igor Kieryluk |
Text of card
Tap target creature and put three stun counters on it. (If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, remove one from it instead.) Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
Cards like Impede Momentum
Impede Momentum, while relatively new in the card pool, brings a fresh twist to the utility spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Frost Breath or Blustersquall, which are also designed to freeze opponents’ assets on the battlefield. However, Impede Momentum’s unique feature comes with its kicker mechanic, allowing you to affect additional targets if extra mana is spent. In contrast, Frost Breath doesn’t offer this scalability and solely targets two creatures. Blustersquall does allow you to target multiple creatures, but only if you pay its overload cost, which can be much higher than a regular kicker.
Another comparable card is Sleep, which has the capacity to tap all creatures an opponent controls. Although this effect is more sweeping than Impede Momentum’s, it lacks the flexibility offered by the kicker option. Sleep also boasts a different mana cost, requiring more specific color allocation, which could limit its utility in multi-colored decks. Unquestionably, the versatility that Impede Momentum offers through its kicker option furnishes players with tactical adaptability during matches, making it a venerable option alongside similar cards.
In appraising its position among its kin, Impede Momentum emerges as an adaptable tool in a player’s arsenal, adept at controlling the pace of play and providing strategic advantages during crucial moments of a game.
Cards similar to Impede Momentum by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Impede Momentum. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Midrange | Pauper | BLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup | |
 | WUBRG | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024 | |
 | Dimir Poison | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When employing Impede Momentum, players can temporarily disrupt their opponent’s strategy by returning a creature to their hand. This action not only hampers the opponent’s board presence but can also lead to advantageous trades or prevent incoming damage, effectively providing a form of advantage by influencing the opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Impede Momentum doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the conventional sense. However, by delaying the opponent’s game plan, it indirectly allows players more time to develop their own resources and establish control over the game, which can be a crucial tactical edge in many matchups.
Instant Speed: The real strength of Impede Momentum lies in its flexibility thanks to being an instant. This allows savvy players to wait until the most opportune moment to cast it, such as in response to an opponent’s combat phase or pivotal spells. This flexibility ensures that Impede Momentum can be a surprise element in any game, often forcing the opponent to reevaluate their approach at critical junctures.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Impede Momentum demands a player to discard a card in addition to its casting cost. This can lead to a significant setback when your hand is running low, making it a potential liability in situation where card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked into blue mana, this card requires a commitment to that color, potentially restricting its integration into multi-colored decks or hindering mana flexibility in a tight match.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning on the higher side for its specific effect, Impede Momentum faces tough competition from other cards that could fulfill similar roles more efficiently or offer additional benefits for the same or lower cost.
Reasons to Include Impede Momentum in Your Collection
Versatility: Impede Momentum is a card that can be included in a variety of deck types. It has the ability to slow down your opponent’s aggressive plays, making it a handy tool for control or tempo strategies that want to maintain the pace of the game.
Combo Potential: While it may seem like a simple delay tactic, Impede Momentum can work well in combinations with cards that capitalize on opponents having tapped creatures or in decks that reward you for playing spells that target opponents’ cards.
Meta-Relevance: Given that it can hinder ramp-up strategies common in the current meta, Impede Momentum can play a critical role in keeping fast-paced decks in check, providing an edge in those pivotal early to mid-game turns.
How to beat
Impede Momentum is a unique spell that can disrupt an opponent’s strategy in Magic: The Gathering. At its core, it’s designed to target creatures, tapping them, and preventing them from untapping during the next untap step of the controlled player. This kind of controlling effect is strategic, typically buying precious time or stalling an opponent’s offensive maneuver.
Overcoming the setback caused by Impede Momentum involves a bit of foresight and adaptability. Players can utilize cards that untap creatures regardless of conditions or use untapped creatures to your advantage. Cards like Vitalize instantly untap all creatures you control, potentially nullifying the effects of Impede Momentum. Additionally, building a deck with multiple threats can mitigate the impact of a single creature being temporarily neutralized. Another approach is to include cards that operate at instant speed, allowing you to apply pressure or continue to interact even when main-phase opportunities are shut down.
In essence, resilience in the face of control mechanics like Impede Momentum comes from a well-rounded deck and an adaptive strategy. Maintaining a broad threat base, incorporating untap abilities, and maximizing instant-speed interactions are key to staying ahead of the curve in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Impede Momentum MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Impede Momentum and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Impede Momentum has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Impede Momentum card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Abilities that trigger when a permanent “becomes untapped” won’t trigger if a stun counter is removed instead. |
| 2022-09-09 | If a permanent has more than one stun counter on it, only one will be removed each time it would become untapped. |
| 2022-09-09 | If a tapped permanent with a stun counter on it would become untapped, a stun counter will be removed from it instead. This is a replacement effect. |
| 2022-09-09 | If untapping a permanent is part of a cost (such as that of Halo Fountain’s first ability), you may pay that cost by “untapping” a tapped permanent with a stun counter on it. The stun counter will be removed and the creature will remain tapped. However, the cost will still be paid. |
| 2022-09-09 | Stun counters replace untapping for any reason, including players untapping tapped permanents during their untap steps. |
| 2022-09-09 | You may target a creature that is already tapped with Impede Momentum. If the target creature is tapped as it resolves, you will still put three stun counters on it. |