Incriminate MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 84
2022-04-29 - Number 465
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Choose two target creatures controlled by the same player. That player sacrifices one of them.
"If I were you, I'd check that elf's coat. I saw him slipping something into his pocket just before you arrived." —Krandal, freelance instigator
Cards like Incriminate
Incriminate is a unique tactic in the pantheon of strategic plays in Magic: The Gathering, offering players a clever way to meddle with opponents’ creatures. A noteworthy comparison can be made with Claustrophobia. Both spells limit the effectiveness of targeted creatures, but Incriminate allows for more flexibility by giving a choice of two creatures to tie up. Unlike Claustrophobia’s permanent tap-down, Incriminate’s choice ends at the start of the controller’s next turn, creating a temporary yet potent disruption.
Other parallels can be drawn with cards like Pacifism. Pacifism permanently prevents a creature from attacking or blocking, but it only targets a single creature. Incriminate’s dual-target nature potentially doubles the impact. Then, there is Arrester’s Admonition, which returns a creature to its owner’s hand and nets you a card draw—again focusing on a single target. The instant speed of Arrester’s Admonition contrasts with Incriminate’s sorcery speed, emphasizing the importance of timing in a game.
Whether players prefer the multiplicity of Incriminate, the lasting effect of Claustrophobia, the singular focus of Pacifism, or the tempo play of Arrester’s Admonition, each has its place in a deck. Incriminate’s situational versatility, though, certainly shines in scenarios calling for immediate two-target disruption.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Incriminate enhances your strategic depth by letting you force opponents to draw two cards. This ability manipulates the opponent’s hand size, giving you a subtle upper hand and potentially causing them to discard if they exceed their hand limit.
Resource Acceleration: By causing your opponent to draw, Incriminate indirectly accelerates your strategic options, especially in decks that profit from the number of cards in opponents’ hands or from forced draws.
Instant Speed: The power of Incriminate also lies in its timing flexibility. Castable at instant speed, it offers you the tactical advantage of disrupting your adversary’s plans during their turn or when they least expect it, keeping them constantly on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Incriminate in your deck introduces an extra hurdle as it necessitates discarding another card. In the swift ebb and flow of a game, being forced to sacrifice hand advantage can put you at a notable setback, especially when your hand size is dwindling and each card holds critical value.
Specific Mana Cost: Incriminate comes with a strict mana cost that requires specific colors, binding it to decks that can generate those mana types. This limitation can stifle deck diversity and compels players to design around its stringent mana requirement, potentially leading to less flexibility in deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the cost-to-benefit ratio, Incriminate’s mana cost is on the higher end for its provided effect. Within the current play environment, many alternatives exist that can disrupt opponents at a more economical mana investment, giving players pause when considering its inclusion in their decks.
Reasons to Include Incriminate in Your Collection
Versatility: Incriminate offers a tactical advantage across various deck types, and it shines in control settings where dictating opponents’ moves is crucial. This card allows precision strikes against adversaries, disabling their critical creatures before they become a threat.
Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on discard or sacrifice mechanisms, Incriminate proves to be an asset. By forcing an opponent to choose creatures to sacrifice, it synergizes with other cards that trigger upon the death of a creature or an opponent’s discard action, enhancing your strategic depth.
Meta-Relevance: Incriminate holds its weight in environments where creature-based strategies dominate. It acts as a tool for disruption, making it easier to dismantle your opponent’s board presence and gain control of the game tempo, proving its worth in your collection as the meta evolves.
How to beat
Incriminate is a unique Mtg card that can lock down an opponent’s creature and force a tricky decision upon them. To effectively navigate around this card, it’s essential to maintain a wide and diverse creature base on the board. Having multiple creatures dilutes Incriminate’s potential impact, as your opponent will have a harder time choosing a target whose loss would severely affect your gameplay.
Moreover, it’s advantageous to include cards in your deck that can either grant hexproof to your creatures or cards that can sacrifice creatures for a benefit. This way you can either prevent Incriminate from resolving on a vital creature or turn the situation into your favor by sacrificing the targeted creature to fuel another strategy or trigger a beneficial effect on your side of the board.
Another strategy is to run counter spells or cards that can remove enchantments or target Incriminate directly. Incriminate’s influence diminishes if you can quickly dispatch it or ensure it never settles on the battlefield in the first place. Proactive planning and maintaining control over the board is the surest way to mitigate the disruption caused by Incriminate and keep your opponent’s strategy in check.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Incriminate MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Incriminate 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
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Printings
The Incriminate Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 84 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 465 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Incriminate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |