Infernal Idol MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2022-12-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Jumpstart 2022 |
| Set code | J22 |
| Number | 49 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Drew Tucker |
Text of card
: Add . , , Sacrifice Infernal Idol: You draw two cards and you lose 2 life.
"The courier's death was regrettable, but then again, she was warned not to touch it." —Lord Xander
Cards like Infernal Idol
Infernal Idol stands out in the pantheon of artifact cards within Magic the Gathering. It’s reminiscent of cards like Rakdos Riteknife, which also empowers its controller with a growing threat as the game unfolds. Infernal Idol, however, diversifies its potential with options to either deal damage or draw cards, providing flexibility depending on the board state.
When considering parallels, mind the Phyrexian Totem. While this artifact similarly transforms into a creature under certain conditions, Infernal Idol bypasses this limitation by offering immediate impact without the need to attack. This can be essential in tight gameplay scenarios. Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale is another relative, dictating board control through its passive abilities, but Infernal Idol’s activeness and versatility shine when direct influence is required.
Therefore, as we scrutinize the intricacies and benefits of different artifacts in the game, Infernal Idol presents itself as a potent choice for players seeking both aggressive and strategic advantage, underscoring its resourcefulness during critical moments of play.
Cards similar to Infernal Idol by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Infernal Idol card shines in providing card advantage, promising to bolster your hand and options as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Tapping into the depths of resource acceleration, Infernal Idol offers a substantial boost in mana resources, which can be pivotal for ramping up to your game-changing spells.
Instant Speed: Its capacity to act at instant speed grants a significant strategic edge, allowing you to adapt to the evolving battlefield with finesse and keeping your adversaries guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As a player, having to discard a card to activate Infernal Idol’s abilities can be a harsh penalty, especially if your hand is already depleted. It forces tough decisions about resource management and may impact your game if you’re unable to maintain a satisfactory hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: Infernal Idol requires a distinctly black mana investment, which might not meld seamlessly into all decks. This specific mana requirement can hamstring your deck-building options, potentially restricting the card to mono-black or black-centered decks only, reducing its overall versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of four mana to bring Infernal Idol onto the battlefield may be steep, and players often assess card value based on the immediate impact they have on the game. While the potential long-term benefits are considerable, there might be instances where other cards could provide more immediate value or synergy with your deck’s strategy at a lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Infernal Idol offers a range of options for various deck archetypes, fitting seamlessly into strategies that thrive on sacrifice mechanics or need a reliable source of incremental damage.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that capitalize on death-triggered abilities or those that require a steady stream of noncreature artifacts to fuel synergies and power combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta peppered with creature-heavy decks, Infernal Idol shines by providing consistent direct damage and acting as a deterrent to swarming tactics, carving out a niche as both a threat and an answer.
How to beat
Infernal Idol emerges as an intriguing artifact in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to transform under certain conditions and wreak havoc makes it a unique challenge on the battlefield. To triumph over this demonic artifact, awareness of its dual nature is key. Before its transformation, it’s vulnerable to common artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Abrade, making early interaction vital.
Post-transformation, it becomes a potent creature, so save your creature removal like Murder or Path to Exile to handle it. Additionally, countermagic like Negate can prevent its deadly activated abilities from ever being used. Control players may lean towards hindering it from flipping in the first place using cards like Pithing Needle to seal off activated abilities. Considering its reliance on the graveyard for transformation, graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus can negate its resurrection altogether.
Ultimately, staying one step ahead and applying timely disruption will dismantle the menace that Infernal Idol can bring to the game. Bear in mind this strategy when this card comes into play, and you’ll keep your opponent’s demonic plans at bay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Infernal Idol MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022, 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 Infernal Idol 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Infernal Idol has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |