Irenicus's Vile Duplication MTG Card


Cloning creatures with Irenicus’s Vile Duplication can fundamentally shift board dynamics in your favor. Its instant speed offers disruptive play potential, swinging the momentum during critical phases. Despite its power, specific mana and high costs must be carefully weighed against its in-game value.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Create a token that's a copy of target creature you control, except the token has flying and isn't legendary if that creature is legendary.

"You will serve me better in this form." —Jon Irenicus


Cards like Irenicus's Vile Duplication

Irenicus’s Vile Duplication stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique offering in the realm of clone effects. This card echoes the abilities of staples like Clone, a classic card that enters the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the field. The Vile Duplication, however, adds a sinister twist by only targeting creatures in your opponent’s graveyard, not just any creature in play. Therefore, it requires a slightly different strategy, honing in on reanimation techniques.

Another card with a similar cloning concept is Stolen Identity. This enchantment can create a copy of any artifact or creature, though it attaches to a creature and requires a cipher cost. While Irenicus’s Vile Duplication doesn’t have the modal versatility of copying artifacts, its ability to exploit your opponent’s graveyard assets gives it a more subversive edge. Moreover, The Scarab God takes a similar approach by reanimating from graveyards, but it also grants an additional ability to the creature it resurrects, setting itself apart from the one-time effect of Vile Duplication.

Evaluating these cards shows that Irenicus’s Vile Duplication is a specialized addition for decks that thrive on disruption and utilizing opponents’ resources, carving its own niche in Magic: The Gathering’s suite of cloning mechanics.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Stolen Identity - MTG Card versions
The Scarab God - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Stolen Identity - MTG Card versions
The Scarab God - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Irenicus's Vile Duplication by color, type and mana cost

Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
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Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Legerdemain - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Consuming Tide - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Irenicus’s Vile Duplication provides a unique twist on card advantage by allowing you to clone an opponent’s creature. This not only increases the number of threats on your board but also can potentially deprive your opponent of a crucial creature’s utility when needed.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, by duplicating a creature that has mana abilities, Irenicus’s Vile Duplication can indirectly result in resource acceleration, helping you to outmaneuver your rivals with potentially more mana at your disposal.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Irenicus’s Vile Duplication at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves. Surprise clones can disrupt plays, especially in response to removal or during declare blockers step, potentially turning the tide of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When casting Irenicus’s Vile Duplication, be prepared to part with a precious card from your hand. This additional cost can be particularly taxing when your options are already dwindling and every card could be pivotal for maintaining control over the game’s flow.

Specific Mana Cost: To weave the dark magic of Irenicus’s Vile Duplication, one must harness a specific combination of mana resources. Its reliance on particular mana types means that its integration is not always seamless across all deck archetypes, potentially limiting its versatility in your strategic arsenal.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite the allure of duplicating your mightiest creatures, the mana investment required is significant. There are alternatives within the vast card pool that can summon or create copies at a lower cost, perhaps offering a more balanced approach when considering your overall mana curve and deck efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Irenicus’s Vile Duplication brings a level of adaptability that’s hard to overstate. This card can mirror the most formidable creatures on the battlefield, making it a fit for a wide array of deck archetypes craving that transformative edge.

Combo Potential: The ability to copy an opponent’s creature opens a door to numerous combo possibilities, intertwining seamlessly with strategies that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or require specific creature types to execute a winning move.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that rewards strategic flexibility and surprise tactics, Irenicus’s Vile Duplication holds significant value. Its capacity to adapt to shifting board states and mirror key creatures can be a game-changer against a variety of deck configurations.


How to beat Irenicus’s Vile Duplication

Irenicus’s Vile Duplication can be a challenging card to encounter in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This card allows a player to create a token copy of a creature you control, but with additional power resulting from the number of cards in your graveyard. Its potential for creating powerful creatures can be daunting; however, it is not unbeatable.

The key to beating Irenicus’s Vile Duplication involves managing graveyard interactions. Utilizing cards that exile the graveyard, like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus, can drastically reduce its effectiveness. Without a well-stocked graveyard, Irenicus’s Vile Duplication loses its potency. Moreover, solid counterplay could include instant-speed removals that disrupt the token before it can cause significant impact, allowing you to maintain control of the board state.

Another strategy is to focus on cards that limit token benefits, such as Illness in the Ranks or Virulent Plague, which weaken or even neutralize these duplicate creatures. A well-timed removal or graveyard disruption can turn the tide against Irenicus’s Vile Duplication, keeping the duplication strategy from overwhelming the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Magic the Gathering is a strategic domain where every card and combo can pivot the tides of a duel. Irenicus’s Vile Duplication sits at the intersection of cunning strategy and reactive gameplay, beckoning players who appreciate tactical diversity and graveyard shenanigans. Its ability to copy opponent creatures at instant speed makes it both versatile and surprising. We encourage you to further explore the depths of this card’s potential within your decks, alongside other grave-oriented strategies, to fully harness its power. Dive deeper with us into MTG’s complex universe and discover how Irenicus’s Vile Duplication could be the keystone of your next victorious skirmish.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Irenicus's Vile Duplication MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Irenicus's Vile Duplication and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Irenicus's Vile Duplication Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Oleksandr Kozachenko.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 782015NormalBlackOleksandr Kozachenko
22022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 1232015NormalBlackOleksandr Kozachenko

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Irenicus's Vile Duplication has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal