Malleable Impostor MTG Card


Offers card advantage by cloning creatures, leading to more diverse and dynamic gameplay options. Can accelerate resources, but requires specific mana and may pose a discard dilemma. Comparing to other clone cards, it holds a unique position with versatile, strategic uses.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Faerie Shapeshifter
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Flash Flying You may have Malleable Impostor enter the battlefield as a copy of a creature an opponent controls, except it's a Faerie Shapeshifter in addition to its other types and it has flying.


Cards like Malleable Impostor

Malleable Impostor introduces a unique dynamic to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a parallel to the well-known Clone effects, allowing players to have a copy of any creature on the battlefield. Mimic Vat, for instance, also lets you create token copies of creatures, but it’s limited to those that go to the graveyard and is an artifact with a recurring activation cost.

Another card to consider is the classic Clone itself. This creature card directly replicates another creature on the field, which Malleable Impostor can as well. The flexibility offered by Malleable Impostor to change its copied target each turn, however, grants it superior versatility when facing an evolving battlefield. Phantasmal Image also deserves mention, having the benefit of a lower cost compared to the original Clone but at the cost of fragility due to its illusion nature and sacrifice clause when targeted.

Assessing these options, it’s evident that Malleable Impostor holds its ground in terms of adaptability among creature-copying cards. Its ongoing utility in dynamic game states makes it an intriguing card for players looking to capitalize on situational advantages.

Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions
Mimic Vat - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Malleable Impostor by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Malleable Impostor provides an edge in hand replenishment by allowing the cloning of creatures. This benefit gives players more options and can lead to a more dynamic playstyle. Plus, copying creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects can equate to drawing additional cards or gaining other valuable resources.

Resource Acceleration: By copying creatures that can tap for mana or have cost-reducing abilities, Malleable Impostor can be a versatile tool for stepping up your mana production. This acceleration can be critical for speeding up your gameplay and enabling you to cast more demanding spells ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The ability to deploy Malleable Impostor at instant speed is a strategic boon, allowing players to adapt to the evolving battlefield on the fly. Whether it’s copying a newly played threat or an opponent’s creature with a potent ability, instant speed deployment ensures you are always on the front foot, reacting to your opponents’ moves with precision and effectiveness.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Malleable Impostor necessitates discarding another card from your hand to exploit its copying ability. This can pose a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already stretched thin by battling opponents or navigating complex game states.

Specific Mana Cost: Its activation is anchored on a specific combination of mana, constraining its seamless integration into multi-colored decks. This restriction can result in the card sitting idle in your hand while you maneuver your mana base to meet its stringent requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When measured against other cards with similar effects, Malleable Impostor’s casting cost may seem steep. Savvy players might opt for alternatives that allow for greater flexibility or bring additional benefits to the table for the same, or less, investment of mana resources.


Reasons to Include Malleable Impostor in Your Collection

Versatility: Malleable Impostor can adapt to numerous in-game situations. Its shapeshifting ability allows it to become copies of advantageous creatures on the battlefield, fitting seamlessly into a range of deck archetypes from control to aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: The card’s clone mechanic holds immense potential for combos. It can emulate creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or death triggers, creating opportunities for game-altering synergies that can be engineered to suit your strategic needs.

Meta-Relevance: Malleable Impostor’s capacity to copy key creatures makes it particularly relevant in a meta where creature-based strategies prevail. This ability to mimic can disrupt opponent’s plans or fortify your own board presence, ensuring that your deck remains competitive.


How to beat

The Malleable Impostor can be an elusive challenge on the battlefield. This shapeshifting rogue brings versatility to the table by copying the creatures you’ve painstakingly played. To outmaneuver this imitator, one must think strategically. Control is key. Employ targeted removal spells that can take the Impostor out before it has the chance to transform. Spells like Path to Exile, which exile instead of sending creatures to the graveyard, can ensure that they don’t come back in any form.

Alternatively, using board wipes that clear all creatures may be the optimal choice to prevent the Impostor from copying any powerful creatures on the field. When facing the threat of Malleable Impostor, remember that patience is a weapon. Play your high-value creatures with caution and timing. Lastly, keeping graveyard disruption in mind can also prevent the Impostor from using its transforming abilities effectively, ensuring that the only thing it can impersonate is a mild inconvenience.

By understanding the ways in which Malleable Impostor operates, one can prepare proper defenses and reactive measures to maintain dominance in the game, maintaining balance and control against this deceptive adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Digging deeper into the world of MTG, Malleable Impostor stands out as a card offering both challenges and opportunities for your deck. It’s a tool that requires finesse and a strategic mind, capable of turning the tides of battle when used effectively. Its versatility can bolster your deck, but remember, there are ways to counteract its potential. We encourage you to consider Malleable Impostor’s place in your collection, factoring in its strengths, weaknesses, and the nuances it brings to the gameplay. Enhance your playing strategy and explore the boundaries of your deck’s capabilities with insights from seasoned players. Curious about optimizing Malleable Impostor for your next game? Dive into our in-depth analysis to master this shapeshifter and keep your deck one step ahead.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Malleable Impostor MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Commander and Wilds of Eldraine Commander, 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 Malleable Impostor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Malleable Impostor Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Alessandra Pisano.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 462015NormalBlackAlessandra Pisano
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 102015NormalBlackAlessandra Pisano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Malleable Impostor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Malleable Impostor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-09-01 Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied permanent will trigger when Malleable Impostor enters the battlefield. Any "as
-his permanent] enters the battlefield" or "
-his permanent] enters the battlefield with" abilities of the chosen permanent will also work.
2023-09-01 Except for the listed exceptions, Malleable Impostor copies exactly what was printed on the original permanent and nothing more (unless that permanent is itself copying something or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that permanent is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any noncopy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, and so on.
2023-09-01 If Malleable Impostor somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Malleable Impostor can't become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that's already on the battlefield.
2023-09-01 If the chosen permanent has in its mana cost, X is 0.
2023-09-01 If the chosen permanent is a token, Malleable Impostor copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that put the token onto the battlefield, with the listed exceptions. Malleable Impostor does not become a token.
2023-09-01 If the chosen permanent is copying something else (for example, if the chosen permanent is a Clone), then your Malleable Impostor enters the battlefield as whatever the chosen permanent copied, with the stated exceptions.
2023-09-01 You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Malleable Impostor simply enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature and is probably put into your graveyard immediately, unless something else is increasing its toughness to keep it alive.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.