Imperial Subduer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Samurai
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Imperial Subduer provides consistent control by tapping opponent’s creatures, influencing the game each turn.
  2. Necessitates card discard for activation, potentially reducing hand size and strategic options.
  3. Offers versatility and synergy in decks, especially within creature-dominant metagames.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imperial Subduer // Imperial Subduer MTG card by a specific set like Neon Dynasty Art Series and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Subduer // Imperial Subduer and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Whenever a Samurai or Warrior you control attacks alone, tap target creature you don't control.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Imperial Subduer offers a strategic utility that can disrupt your opponent’s plans by requiring them to tap a creature they control. As an ongoing effect, this ability can help whittle down the opponent’s defenses, indirectly contributing to your card advantage through control of the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although Imperial Subduer itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the typical sense, it can hinder your opponent’s development by forcing them to use resources or strategies to deal with its presence, potentially giving you an indirect acceleration in resource advantage.

Instant Speed: While the card itself is not an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed. This means you can strategically tap one of your opponent’s creatures during their upkeep or before they declare attackers, leaving them with one less option during combat and creating surprise interactions that can shift the tide of a match at crucial moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Imperial Subduer necessitates that you discard a card to leverage its ability. This cost can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses, making it less advantageous when your resources are already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mana configuration to cast—both white mana and another color. This specificity can sometimes limit its flexibility, especially in multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Imperial Subduer offers a unique control element to the battlefield, its mana cost is on the higher side when compared to other options in your deck that could perform similar functions. There are alternatives available that may provide more efficient control abilities or board presence for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Imperial Subduer can easily find a spot in numerous white or multicolored aggro and control decks. Its ability to suppress opponents’ creatures each turn makes it a valuable addition across various game plans.

Combo Potential: The locking ability synergizes well with tap and untap mechanics, allowing for both offensive and defensive combos. Pairing Imperial Subduer with cards that benefit from creatures being tapped offers strategic depth to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-based strategies, Imperial Subduer stands out as a tool to disrupt your opponent’s battlefield. Its continuous pressure keeps relevant threats at bay, making it a smart choice for competitive play.


How to beat

Imperial Subduer resides in the realm of potent control pieces within Magic the Gathering. The card’s ability to suppress opposing creatures each turn can be a real roadblock. The art of overcoming this obstacle lies in the ability to adapt your strategy. First, consider the virtue of removal spells, they are highly effective against such creatures. Prioritizing the Subduer for removal ensures your creatures can engage without restraint.

Artifact destruction spells also stand out when disabling the Subduer’s confinements. By including a few in your deck, you equip yourself to dismantle problematic permanents. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant provide simple and cost-effective ways to rid the field of the Subduer without losing tempo. Moreover, instant-speed interaction is valuable for this purpose, allowing flexibility in your play and disrupting your opponent’s plans.

Ultimately, while the Imperial Subduer can dominate the board, a savvy player will diversify their tactics to dismantle such control. By integrating removal and artifact disruption, along with maintaining a readiness to adapt on the fly, one can circumvent the challenges posed by this formidable MTG card and assert victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re on the lookout for a strategic edge in your MTG matches, the Imperial Subduer can be a game-changing asset to your deck. With its ability to manage the battlefield by repeatedly tapping your opponent’s creatures, this card is a linchpin in hindering their offense and shaping the pace of play. It’s clear that the Subduer can be particularly disruptive against legendary creatures, an essential trait in today’s creature-centric meta. As you continue to refine your collection and strategies, consider the value of incorporating cards like the Imperial Subduer that offer both flexibility and control. Visit us to explore deeper insights and tactics to optimize your deck’s potential and turn the tides in your favor.


Cards like Imperial Subduer

Imperial Subduer marks its territory in Magic: The Gathering as a tool for players to suppress their opponents’ tactics. When reflecting on creatures with analogous abilities, cards like Law-Rune Enforcer come to mind. Both have the ability to tap opposing creatures, but the Subduer is narrower in focus, targeting legendary creatures. Despite the Subduer’s specificity, it can influence play by limiting strategic legendary creatures that often anchor an opponent’s game.

Another relative in this space is Giant Killer, which is similarly cost-efficient and can tap down powerful creatures but also offers a destruction spell as an adventure. Although Imperial Subduer doesn’t provide this extra utility, its lower cost and the fact that it can be preemptively played to prevent actions from legendary creatures give it a unique edge. Lastly, consider Fairgrounds Warden, which exiles a creature until the Warden leaves the battlefield. This effect is more permanent compared to the temporary tap; however, Imperial Subduer’s continuous tapping ability can repetitively interrupt combo-reliant opponents.

While evaluating these cards, it’s clear that Imperial Subduer fits a niche role. Its ongoing control over legendary creatures provides players with a strategic advantage that is distinct from similar MTG cards, catering to decks that aim to thwart legendary-centric strategies.

Law-Rune Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Fairgrounds Warden - MTG Card versions
Law-Rune Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Fairgrounds Warden - MTG Card versions

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Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions

Printings

The Imperial Subduer // Imperial Subduer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-02-18Neon Dynasty Art SeriesANEO 22015Art seriesBorderlessZara Alfonso
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3102015NormalBlackYunomachi
32022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 192015NormalBlackZara Alfonso

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Imperial Subduer has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal