Imperial Edict MTG Card

Imperial Edict combines board disruption with deck filtering, maximizing turn efficiency and pressure. Its instant speed provides flexibility and tactical advantage during complex gameplay situations. Trade-offs like discard requirements and specific mana costs may impact its deck fit.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Number	77
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Xu Xiaoming

Text of card

Your opponent chooses one of his or her creatures. Destroy that creature.

Frustrated with Cao Cao's control of the imperial court, Emperor Xian secretly issued an edict condemning him, using his own blood as ink.

Cards like Imperial Edict

Imperial Edict can be an intriguing tactical play in MTG, reminiscent of the persuasive power of Pacifism, as both cards aim to neutralize threats without outright destroying them. However, while Pacifism targets creatures specifically and prevents them from attacking or blocking, Imperial Edict differs by allowing the opponent to choose the creature that gets sacrificed. This element of choice introduces a layer of strategy and unpredictability that can be both a boon and a bane, depending on the situation.

Moving to a more aggressive strategy, cards like Diabolic Edict also force a sacrifice, yet they allow instant-speed interaction, which can dramatically alter the tempo of the game. Meanwhile, cards like Chainer’s Edict offer not only the forced sacrifice but also carry an upside with flashback, granting a return on investment that can be utilized later in the game for sustained control.

In assessing Imperial Edict’s place among these alternatives, its ability to disrupt the opponent’s board while conserving your own resources makes it a valuable tool, especially when played at the most opportune moment to ensure maximum disruption.

Cards similar to Imperial Edict by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When playing Imperial Edict, you’re setting yourself up for a favorable shift in card economy. This potent sorcery not only disrupts your opponent by forcing them to sacrifice a creature or planeswalker but also filters through your deck by enabling you to draw a card. This smooth blend of disruption and draw power can generate a crucial advantage, keeping your hand well-stocked while depleting your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Imperial Edict itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it effectively sets back your opponent by making them lose a valuable asset. This can lead to a type of indirect acceleration as your opponent may have to spend additional turns and resources to recover from the impact, thereby granting you a lead in the race for board dominance and strategic positioning.

Instant Speed: The true power of Imperial Edict shines at instant speed, granting you the versatility to adapt to the evolving game state. The ability to cast this spell at the end of your opponent’s turn, or in response to their actions, gives you a significant tactical edge. By keeping mana untapped, you signal to your opponent that a myriad of responses are at your disposal, potentially causing them to play more conservatively and giving you control over the pace of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Casting Imperial Edict sometimes comes with a trade-off, as it may necessitate discarding a card. This could potentially put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already running low on cards and every resource counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana setup to play, specifically requiring black mana. This can create limitations, especially in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana flexibility or when facing situations where mana fixing is a challenge.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Imperial Edict has a relatively high total mana cost for its effects compared to some other options available in the game. This might make it a less optimal choice when deck building, as players typically seek to maximize efficiency with lower-costing cards that provide similar or even better results.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Imperial Edict is a highly adaptable card, capable of fitting into a variety of deck types. Its ability to force opponents to sacrifice a creature makes it a handy tool in disrupting your adversary’s board regardless of the deck you’re piloting.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that benefit from opponents losing creatures, such as those that trigger on death effects or capitalize on reduced enemy defenses to launch powerful attacks or further control tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where players often rely on key creatures to execute their strategies, Imperial Edict’s targeted forced sacrifice can be a game-changer, disrupting opponent initiatives and maintaining a competitive edge within the current meta.

How to Beat Imperial Edict

Imperial Edict has entered the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering as a compelling piece of the removal puzzle. It’s a card that can play a pivotal role in dismantling an opponent’s strategy by forcing a sacrifice of a creature or planeswalker. This can be particularly disruptive against decks that rely heavily on singular, powerful threats. To navigate this edict effectively, it is essential to maintain creature redundancy in your deck. Running a deck rich with inexpensive creatures or token generators can mitigate the impact of such sac effects.

Another avenue is to harness the power of instant-speed effects that can save or recycle your key pieces. Cards such as Unsummon or Ephemerate can return a creature to your hand or blink it out of existence temporarily, nullifying the sacrifice by vacating the target. These strategies prevent the loss of high-value assets and maintain board presence, crucial for retaining control against control decks that may utilize Imperial Edict.

Leveraging these tactics ensures that while Imperial Edict may pose a temporary setback, it won’t dictate the endgame. Adaptability and a diverse strategy may transform what seems like a powerful blow into a mere hiccup on your path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imperial Edict MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Imperial Edict and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Imperial Edict has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal