Mirror Image MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Shapeshifter |
Power | 0 |
Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
You may have Mirror Image enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature you control.
The life of a shapeshifter is one of constant change.
Cards like Mirror Image
Mirror Image holds a unique slot in MTG as it offers a clone effect for creatures you already control. When stacking it up against other clone-type cards, it’s evident how it can quickly become a game-changer in the right deck. Phantasmal Image is a notable comparison, as it can clone any creature on the battlefield, yet it lacks the resilience of Mirror Image due to its vulnerability when targeted by spells or abilities.
Clone is another classic option, also casting at four mana but with the flexibility to copy any creature on the field—not just your own. This gives it a broader range of strategic uses but doesn’t have the creature-type copying feature that Mirror Image possesses. Lastly, Stunt Double stands out with flash, allowing you to make surprise plays, although it comes at an increased cost compared to the three mana Mirror Image requires.
Choosing between these varies based on the specific strategy and board state, but Mirror Image sustains a solid position among MTG clone effects because of its cost efficiency and the strategic depth it adds by supporting synergies with creature types in your own lineup.
Cards similar to Mirror Image by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Mirror Image. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Four-color Combo | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | ||
Jeskai Blitz | Modern | Discover Combo | Doghouse-mas VII | |
Geological Appraiser Combo | Pioneer | Temur Discover | F2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When playing Mirror Image, you’re effectively getting two creatures for the price of one. By cloning a creature you already have on the battlefield, you’re increasing the value of your cards without spending additional resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although Mirror Image doesn’t directly accelerate your resources like a ramp spell, it copies a creature’s abilities that can potentially give you an edge, such as mana dorks or creatures with abilities that untap lands.
Instant Speed: While Mirror Image is a sorcery, its capability to instantly populate the board with a power player at a critical moment often puts your opponent on the back foot. This can lead to instant strategic advantage as your opponents need to adjust their plans to deal with the new threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of this card is the discard requirement it imposes. Players must be ready to part with another card from their hand when seeking to utilize its capabilities, which could prove costly when hand size is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Mirror Image commands a specific mana cost that includes blue mana. This necessity can restrict its integration to certain deck types, predominantly favoring those aligned with blue mana resources, and possibly excluding it from more versatile deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side compared to other creature-copying effects in the game, this card’s efficiency is often debated. Players might find that the mana investment does not always correlate with a substantial enough impact on the game state, especially when there are alternative options available with a more favorable cost-to-impact ratio.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mirror Image finds a spot in various deck archetypes given its ability to clone the most powerful creatures you control. Whether it’s duplicating a game-changing creature with strong abilities or simply providing another body on the board, its utility is vast and adaptable to numerous situations.
Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield triggers or require specific creature synergies, Mirror Image can significantly amplify these effects. Copying creatures that have impactful triggers can lead to chain reactions that swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: With decks continually evolving, having cards that can adapt to the fluctuating meta is crucial. Mirror Image rises to this challenge by being a card that can mimic the most relevant creature on the board, turning the tide of the game by reflecting the current strongest plays.
How to beat Mirror Image in MTG
Mirror Image can be a versatile card in any MTG deck, capable of cloning the most potent creatures on the battlefield. This blue card offers players a unique advantage by duplicating abilities, stats, and more. To counteract Mirror Image, one must consider strategic removal options. Since it’s a creature copy that enters the battlefield, using instant-speed removal spells can disrupt the opponent’s plans before they capitalize on the clone’s power. Cards like Murder, Fatal Push, and other direct removal can effectively deal with the Mirror Image before it becomes a threat.
Being proactive is key. Keeping an eye on your opponent’s mana and playing around the potential for a Mirror Image play is wise. Counter spells that deny the Mirror Image from coming into play, such as Counterspell or Negate, can eliminate the threat before it materializes. Alternatively, attacking the resources that enable the casting of Mirror Image, such as their mana base or card draw capabilities, can also stymie its effectiveness within the game. Each player must weigh the immediate threat and how it synergizes within the opponent’s strategy, choosing the right moment and method to diffuse the potentially game-changing Mirror Image.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering your MTG deck is an ongoing quest for dominance, blending card advantage with strategic foresight. Mirror Image stands out as a card that can double your board presence while keeping resource expenditure in check. Cloning creatures with powerful abilities at the right moment can flip the game in your favor, making Mirror Image a valuable asset in your deck’s arsenal. Diving into the nitty-gritty strategies and subtle tactics of MTG is where the true thrill lies. Enhance your gameplay and outmaneuver your opponents by incorporating versatile cards like Mirror Image. Eager for more insights and strategies? Venture with us and uncover the potent potential of Mirror Image in your MTG collection.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mirror Image MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and 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 Mirror Image 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
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Printings
The Mirror Image Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yuchi Yuki |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mirror Image has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mirror Image card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2018-07-13 | Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Mirror Image enters the battlefield. Any “as -his creature] enters the battlefield” or “ -his creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work. |
2018-07-13 | If Mirror Image somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, it can’t become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that’s already on the battlefield. |
2018-07-13 | If the chosen creature is a token, Mirror Image copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that put the token onto the battlefield. Mirror Image doesn’t become a token in this case. |
2018-07-13 | If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is another Mirror Image), then Mirror Image enters the battlefield as whatever the chosen creature copied. |
2018-07-13 | If the copied creature has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0. |
2018-07-13 | Mirror Image copies exactly what was printed on the original creature (unless that creature is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it as any counters on it or any Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on. |