Mirror Golem MTG Card


Instant adaptability through its ability to copy other permanents’ abilities and accelerate resources. Demands strategic hand and graveyard management due to its discard requirement and specific mana cost. Remains a meta-relevant creature due to its transformative capabilities and potential in combos.
Mirror Golem - Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Golem
Abilities Imprint
Released2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin
Set codeMRD
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number208
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFranz Vohwinkel

Text of card

Imprint When Mirror Golem comes into play, you may remove target card in a graveyard from the game. (The removed card is imprinted on this artifact.) Mirror Golem has protection from each of the imprinted card's card types. (The card types are artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, and sorcery.)


Cards like Mirror Golem

Mirror Golem offers a unique spin on artifact creature versatility in Magic: The Gathering. Much like its brethren in the realm of changeable creatures, such as Adaptive Automaton, Mirror Golem has the ability to alter its properties based on the game state. Adaptive Automaton, for instance, allows you to choose a creature type when it enters the battlefield, giving other creatures of that type an additional +1/+1. Mirror Golem instead relies on Imprint — when it enters the battlefield, you may exile a card from your graveyard and Mirror Golem becomes a copy of any creature card exiled with it until the end of turn.

Morphling is another multifaceted card that warrants comparison. Though not an artifact, Morphling’s laundry list of abilities makes it a formidable shapeshifter. However, where Morphling flexes its prowess in real-time during the match, Mirror Golem requires setup and strategic graveyard management to maximize its potential. Lastly, Solemn Simulacrum shares some similarities with Mirror Golem, particularly in being a value-oriented artifact creature that interacts with basic land cards. While Solemn Simulacrum excels at ramping and card draw, Mirror Golem shines in its adaptability on the battlefield.

To summarize, Mirror Golem’s strength lies in its capacity for transformation and tactical advantage, carving out its own niche among MTG’s versatile artifact creatures.

Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Morphling - MTG Card versions
Solemn Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Morphling - MTG Card versions
Solemn Simulacrum - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mirror Golem by color, type and mana cost

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
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Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Razor Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions
Leashling - MTG Card versions
Rattleblaze Scarecrow - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Razor Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions
Leashling - MTG Card versions
Rattleblaze Scarecrow - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mirror Golem comes with an ability to replicate other permanent’s abilities, which can offer dynamic card utility and enhance your strategy on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: By adopting the characteristics of certain permanents, it can potentially lead to resource acceleration, depending on what you choose to copy.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Mirror Golem’s activated ability allows you to make rapid adjustments at instant speed, adapting to your opponent’s moves on the fly and maintaining tempo.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Mirror Golem necessitates discarding a card, a significant drawback when your hand is nearly empty or if the discarded card is crucial to your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Mirror Golem’s mana cost requires a combination of generic and specific mana, which could hamper its inclusion in multicolored decks that might struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its abilities, Mirror Golem competes with other creature cards in the same mana range that may provide more immediate or impactful board presence.


Reasons to Include Mirror Golem in Your Collection

Versatility: Mirror Golem offers a flexible role in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or require a solid defensive option. Its ability to adapt to diverse threats makes it a useful card in various situations.

Combo Potential: With its imprint ability, Mirror Golem can be utilized in ingenious combos, copying key abilities from creatures in the graveyard, thus offering a myriad of strategic plays based on the current board state.

Meta-Relevance: Given that it can absorb essential creature abilities, Mirror Golem remains a relevant card against creature-based decks that dominate many gameplay environments, making it a tactical addition to your collection.


How to beat

The Mirror Golem can be quite the challenging adversary on the battlefield for any MTG player. This artifact creature is not only versatile due to its innate abilities but can also become a formidable force if left unchecked. It features the ability to become a copy of any creature on the battlefield at the cost of discarding a card, making it both highly adaptable and a continuous threat.

To effectively counter the Mirror Golem, it is essential to anticipate its transformation tactic. Employing instant-speed removal spells right before your opponent declares attackers or before the end of their turn could ensure that the golem never gets a chance to mimic a creature’s abilities or power. Utilizing cards that restrict your opponent’s ability to cycle or discard cards can also cripple the Mirror Golem’s ability to copy creatures.

Moreover, graveyard interaction proves to be a savvy strategy. By keeping your opponent’s graveyard free of powerful creatures, you ensure that the Mirror Golem lacks valuable targets to copy. In essence, a combination of timely removal, disruption, and graveyard control can effectively neutralize the Mirror Golem, maintaining your position in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mirror Golem MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Mirror Golem and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mirror Golem has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal