Implement of Malice MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 159
2019-11-07 - Number 1597
2020-11-12 - Number 245
2020-09-26 - Number AER-159
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
, Sacrifice Implement of Malice: Target player discards a card. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery. When Implement of Malice is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw a card.
Cards like Implement of Malice
Implement of Malice enters the ever-expanding arsenal of hand disruption artifacts within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative is the Sorcerous Spyglass, allowing players to peek into an opponent’s hand and disable chosen cards. However, Implement of Malice offers a more subtle and delayed approach, waiting for the perfect moment to force a discard without revealing information.
Another kin in the realm of discard is the Elite Spellbinder, designed to pluck out nonland cards from a player’s hand, increasing their casting cost. While the Spellbinder is more proactive in disrupting an opponent’s hand, Implement of Malice lets you infiltrate at the opportune time, also rewarding you with card draw upon its departure. On the lower end of the mana curve, Duress presents a cheap yet potent alternative, efficiently stripping away noncreature, nonland cards from an opponent’s grasp with no additional boon for the caster.
Considering synergy, cost-effectiveness, and the advantage of card replacement, Implement of Malice holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering as a valuable tool for those wishing to unsettle opponents’ strategies while replenishing their own resources.
Cards similar to Implement of Malice by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Implement of Malice provides an edge as it not only forces your opponent to discard a card but also offers the ability to draw a card once it’s put into the graveyard from the battlefield. This two-fold effect ensures that you stay ahead in the resource battle by impacting your opponent’s hand while replenishing your own.
Resource Acceleration: Although Implement of Malice doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens directly, the discarded card from your opponent can delay their game plan, indirectly accelerating your relative resource position. The faster you can disrupt their strategy, the quicker you can develop your board and maintain the upper hand.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Implement of Malice shines as it can be activated at instant speed. This provides the strategic advantage of using it during the opponent’s end step or in response to actions that would affect it, ensuring that you always make the most efficient use of your mana and resources throughout the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Implement of Malice, a requirement stands that upon activation, it mandates a player to coerce their opponent into discarding a card. This effect can sometimes rebound disadvantageously if an opponent benefits from having certain cards in their graveyard or if you’re unable to leverage the discard to your advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Implement of Malice requires black mana to deploy, which may not be seamlessly integrated into all deck archetypes. Decks that aren’t optimized for black mana may find this card less accessible and hence a less strategic inclusion.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With spending two mana for a relatively minimal immediate effect—forcing a discard only upon the artifact’s sacrifice—other options in the same mana range could potentially provide immediate and more impactful results, be it board presence or card advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Implement of Malice is a card that can easily be slipped into a variety of black-based decks. Its ability to force an opponent to discard while potentially drawing you a card adds dual utility, making it a flexible addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: This artifact is not only a source of disruption for your opponents but also provides synergy with strategies that reward you for sacrificing permanents or drawing cards. Integrating Implement of Malice into combos or engines that capitalize on these actions can enhance the effectiveness of your overall game plan.
Meta-Relevance: Against decks that hold onto key cards to execute their strategy, Implement of Malice forces early decisions and disrupts their optimal play patterns. As the metagame evolves, having such a card can be a strategic tool to tip the scales in matchups where timing and hand disruption are crucial.
How to beat
Implement of Malice presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a versatile card in Magic the Gathering, it can disrupt your opponent’s hand by forcing them to discard. Understanding this can be the key to countering its effects. To effectively beat Implement of Malice, it’s crucial to keep your hand stocked with cards that are expendable or have afterlife benefits when discarded.
Consider using spells that allow you to draw cards or return important cards from your graveyard to your hand. Tactics such as playing with a higher number of duplicate cards can minimize the impact of discard effects. Also, cards with madness can turn a forced discard into an opportunity, as you can play them for their madness cost. While Implement of Malice can be sacrificed to initiate its effect, timing your spells and abilities right can mitigate its impact or even render it advantageous for you. By carefully managing your resources and making strategic plays, Implement of Malice can be overcome, maintaining your hold on the game.
Ultimately, anticipation and strategic deck building are your best assets when facing the Implement of Malice in Magic the Gathering. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be well-equipped to neutralize its threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Implement of Malice MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Mystery Booster, 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 Implement of Malice and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Implement of Malice Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Titus Lunter.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1597 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | AER-159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | ||
| 4 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 245 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Implement of Malice has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Implement of Malice card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | An Implement’s last ability triggers no matter why it’s put into a graveyard from the battlefield. You don’t have to activate its first ability. |
| 2017-02-09 | If you activate an Implement’s first ability, you’ll draw a card from its second ability before the first ability resolves. If the first ability has a target, you need a legal target to activate that ability, and you choose that target before seeing what card you’ll draw. |