Martial Impetus MTG Card


Manipulates combat flow by incentivizing creatures to attack opponents, possibly leading to favorable resource disparities. Despite specific mana requirements and discard costs, it offers a dynamic approach to gameplay and deck synergy. Stands out in multiplayer formats, enabling players to gain advantage through directed aggression and incremental mana gains.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant,Goad

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and is goaded. (It attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.) Whenever enchanted creature attacks, each other creature that's attacking one of your opponents gets +1/+1 until end of turn.


Cards like Martial Impetus

Martial Impetus is a unique aura that provides an interesting tactical advantage in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to other cards such as Bloodthirsty Blade and Shiny Impetus, which similarly goad creatures or incentivize attacking. Martial Impetus, unlike its cousins, offers a more focused boon by only targeting one creature and giving it a mandatory combat instruction, while providing a steady increment to your mana pool each time that creature attacks someone else.

Observing cards like Vow of Lightning and Vow of Duty reveals they also manipulate combat but offer positive buffs to the enchanted creature without forcing it to attack a specific player. While these vows share the theme of directing combat, they lack the predictable mana gain Martial Impetus guarantees. Then there is Aggression, which turns any creature into an attacker every turn, yet it doesn’t dictate whom it attacks or reward you with mana.

Comparing these cards presents a clear image: Martial Impetus may shine in multiplayer settings where guiding attacks away from you while gaining resources can tip the balance, making it a distinctive card for fans of strategy and subterfuge within Magic: The Gathering.

Bloodthirsty Blade - MTG Card versions
Shiny Impetus - MTG Card versions
Vow of Lightning - MTG Card versions
Vow of Duty - MTG Card versions
Aggression - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Blade - MTG Card versions
Shiny Impetus - MTG Card versions
Vow of Lightning - MTG Card versions
Vow of Duty - MTG Card versions
Aggression - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Martial Impetus by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Martial Impetus can offer indirect card advantage by incentivizing your opponents to attack each other instead of you, potentially leading to card depletion amongst your opposition without you having to commit resources.

Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the forced aggression can lead to opponents using resources to protect against attacks or rebuild after clashes, subtly giving you a resource edge over time.

Instant Speed: Though Martial Impetus isn’t an instant, the ability to enchant a creature at sorcery speed is still strategic, as it allows you to set the tempo of combat on your turn, dictate potential blockers, and affect the battlefield before it’s fully developed within the turn cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Martial Impetus can turn any creature into an incentivized attacker, it does not come without a cost. The necessity to potentially discard another useful card to enable the engine might set you back, especially if your hand is running low on options or if you need to maintain a strategic reserve.

Specific Mana Cost: Martial Impetus requires a specific mana alignment—red. This can be a restrictive factor as it fits primarily into decks that can generate red mana. For players running multi-color decks without a red base, or mono-color decks of a different hue, this can be a significant stumbling block, limiting the card’s versatility across different deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that involves three mana, including one red, Martial Impetus can be seen as an investment that might not provide immediate payoff. In the realm of enchantments and auras, where the mana curve is critical, there are alternatives that may offer similar or greater benefits for a lower or comparable cost, making them potentially more attractive choices for players looking to maximize efficiency and impact in play.


Reasons to Include Martial Impetus in Your Collection

Versatility: Martial Impetus offers flexibility by being able to turn any creature into a more proactive threat. It fits into various decks that aim to be aggressive or need a way to incentivize opponents to attack each other.

Combo Potential: This enchantment works well with cards that trigger upon combat or damage dealt, nurturing different combo interactions and enhancing strategies that revolve around creatures engaging in battles.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where the board can become congested with creatures, Martial Impetus helps break stalemates by forcing unfavourable attacks for your opponents, making it a savvy inclusion in games that often go to a standoff.


How to beat Martial Impetus

Martial Impetus is a unique aura card in Magic: The Gathering, presenting an interesting dynamic in player interactions. It compels the enchanted creature to attack each combat if able and provides an attack bonus towards anything except you. A smart strategy against Martial Impetus involves taking control of the battlefield with robust defenses. Enabling creatures with vigilance or cards that generate tokens swiftly can create a wall of defense that can absorb the enforced aggression.

Another tactic is using removal spells or abilities that circumvent the combat phase altogether, such as pacifism effects or cards like ‘Path to Exile’ and ‘Murder,’ which can eliminate the buffed threat without directly engaging in combat. Controlling the pace of play with counter spells also prevents auras like Martial Impetus from reaching the battlefield in the first place, thereby maintaining the status quo.

Ultimately, understanding the dual nature of Martial Impetus—a boost and a limitation—allows a player to manipulate these aspects to their advantage. Converting engagement restrictions into tactical opportunities is key, whether through strategic creature placement, expedient spell casting, or clever manipulation of the card’s directionality.


BurnMana Recommendations

In analyzing Martial Impetus, it’s clear that MTG is a game that rewards strategic finesse and forward-thinking. This card exemplifies the tactical depth the game offers, allowing for nuanced control over the battlefield dynamics. Martial Impetus can be a game-changer in your deck, especially in multiplayer matches where its effectiveness is magnified. If you’re looking to craft a deck that thrives on subtlety and coercion, this card may be an ideal pick. To understand the full potential of Martial Impetus and similar strategic tools, we welcome you to delve deeper. Discover strategies that harness the power of forced aggression and resource management to turn the tides of battle in your favor. Explore with us, and refine your deck to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Martial Impetus MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2020 and Commander 2021, 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 Martial Impetus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Martial Impetus Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2020-04-17 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-04-17Commander 2020C20 282015NormalBlackAaron Miller
22021-04-23Commander 2021C21 962015NormalBlackAaron Miller
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 332015NormalBlackBrian Valeza
42024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 722015NormalBlackAaron Miller
52024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 652015NormalBlackAaron Miller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Martial Impetus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-04-17 Attacking with a goaded creature doesn't cause it to stop being goaded.
2020-04-17 Being goaded more than once by the same player is redundant.
2020-04-17 If a creature you control has been goaded by multiple opponents, it must attack one of your opponents who hasn't goaded it. If a creature you control has been goaded by each of your opponents, you choose which opponent it attacks.
2020-04-17 If a goaded creature can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player's control that turn), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, its controller isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.
2020-04-17 If a goaded creature doesn't meet any of the above exceptions and can attack, it must attack a player other than a player who goaded it if able. It the creature can't attack any of those players but could otherwise attack, it must attack an opposing planeswalker (controlled by any opponent) or a player who goaded it.
2020-04-17 If you goad a creature you control, it must attack and it must attack a player rather than a planeswalker.