Imperiosaur MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 145
2013-06-07 - Number 148
2021-03-19 - Number 211
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Spend only mana produced by basic lands to play Imperiosaur.
"An ancient, powerful force has overtaken the valley. I sympathize for its former inhabitants, but I rejoice for the land itself." —Olanti, Muraganda druid
Cards like Imperiosaur
The Imperiosaur is a distinct creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, comparable to fellow dinosaurs and hefty four-cost creatures. It finds its closest kin in cards like Blastoderm, which shares a similar four mana cost and formidable power stats. What sets Imperiosaur apart is its unique mana cost requirement, stipulating that only mana from basic lands can be used to summon it. This contrasts with Blastoderm, which accepts any type of mana but comes with shroud and a fading ability, restricting its longevity on the battlefield.
Another comparable brute is Leatherback Baloth, a beast with a weighty 4/5 body for the same amount of mana. While Leatherback Baloth lacks the basic land restriction, it demands a dedication to green mana, limiting deck-building flexibility. The Imperiosaur, meanwhile, can find a home in a variety of decks with basic lands, though its inability to utilize nonbasic mana sources can be seen as a double-edged sword.
Considering these creatures and their respective pros and cons, the Imperiosaur still remains an appealing choice for players building around a heavy land-based strategy within Magic: The Gathering, especially those who prefer accessibility over complex mechanisms.
Cards similar to Imperiosaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Imperiosaur itself may not offer direct card draw, its massive presence on the board can often lead to a two-for-one situation, taking down multiple creatures in combat or forcing your opponent to use additional resources to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: A key benefit of Imperiosaur is its cost-efficiency. Requiring only basic lands to cast means you can potentially play this substantial creature earlier than other 4-drops, accelerating your board presence without needing nonbasic mana sources.
Instant Speed: Although Imperiosaur can’t be played at instant speed, its formidable 5/5 stats for only four mana can swing the tempo of the game in your favor. Being able to deploy such a potent threat quickly often puts the opponent on the back foot, allowing you to capitalize on the rapid change in board state.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Imperiosaur’s playability is somewhat confined by its unique mana requirement. To cast this creature, you must use only mana produced by basic lands, limiting its synergy with non-basic land heavy decks which are prevalent in various MTG formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a four-power creature for four mana is a good rate, Imperiosaur faces competition from other creatures with additional abilities or lower costs. Given the choices available, the mana investment might not always result in the most efficient board presence.
Discard Requirement: Although Imperiosaur itself doesn’t require a discard to be played, its specific mana condition can indirectly force players to make difficult decisions regarding their hand and the sequencing of their lands, potentially leading to discarded cards later as the game progresses.
Reasons to Include Imperiosaur in Your Collection
Versatility: Imperiosaur’s strength resides in its straightforward efficiency as a creature. It can be a substantial threat in various deck types with a solid 5/5 body, demanding a response from the opponent regardless of the format.
Combo Potential: Despite not being traditionally combo-centric, Imperiosaur’s mana-only casting cost condition can synergize with effects or lands that control or alter land types, creating opportunities for innovative deck-building strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where fast, aggressive decks prevail, Imperiosaur presents a formidable blocker that can arrive on the battlefield as early as turn four. Its presence can shift the tempo in your favor, especially when most decks are designed to churn smaller, faster creatures. It’s a cost-effective addition that aligns well in a meta that emphasizes raw power per mana spent.
How to Beat Imperiosaur
Imperiosaur could be a tricky creature to face in the world of MTG. This formidable dinosaur presents itself with a solid body that can challenge opponents on the battlefield. However, as substantial as this creature may seem, there are strategies to overpower it. Understanding the mana requirement for casting Imperiosaur is crucial — it can only be played using basic lands, which shows its dependence on a limited resource type.
Control decks with the ability to remove creatures can handle Imperiosaur effectively. Removal spells like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, depending on the color of your deck, can exile or destroy it outright, bypassing its bulky physique. For the red mage, direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt, which deal three damage, can be part of a combined effort to take down Imperiosaur if you’ve already managed to weaken it in combat or with other spells.
In summary, while Imperiosaur has its strengths, by prioritizing creature control and removal spells, you can competently manage this prehistoric powerhouse on the MTG battlefield, maintaining your control and tempo.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Imperiosaur MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Modern Masters, 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 Imperiosaur 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 Imperiosaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Lars Grant-West.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 145 | future | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 148 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 3 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 211 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Imperiosaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Imperiosaur card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | An effect that allows you to spend mana as though it were mana of any type to cast Imperiosaur won’t allow you to spend mana from a source other than a basic land to cast it. |
| 2021-03-19 | If a basic land gains a mana ability, mana produced with that ability can be spent to cast Imperiosaur. |
| 2021-03-19 | If a triggered mana ability produces mana when a basic land is tapped for mana, that additional mana is produced by the source of the triggered mana ability, not by that basic land. |