Imagecrafter MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	87
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Terese Nielsen

Key Takeaways

Imagecrafter excels in tribal strategies and can disrupt opponents by changing creature types on the fly.
Activating its ability comes at the cost of discarding a card, a potentially high price during gameplay.
Despite mana constraints, its adaptability and combo potential make it a noteworthy collection contender.

Text of card

oc T: Choose a creature type other than Legend or Wall. Target creature's type becomes that type until end of turn.

When Otarians learned not to trust wizards, the wizards learned to adapt.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Imagecrafter allows players to alter the battlefield by potentially transforming how creatures are perceived. This can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, especially against tribal synergies where types matter, ensuring you stay ahead in the strategic aspect of the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Imagecrafter itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its ability can enable other cards in your deck that trigger off of creature types, effectively accelerating your strategy and resource utilization.

Instant Speed: The power of Imagecrafter lies in its ability to use its effect at instant speed. This flexibility lets you wait until the most opportune moment during the course of a game, such as during an opponent’s attack or at the end of their turn, ensuring maximum impact with minimal cost.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Imagecrafter necessitates the forfeiture of another card to activate its ability. This can be a steep price to pay, especially in a game state where each card in hand is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting of Imagecrafter requires blue mana, which ties it strictly to blue or blue-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the wide spectrum of Magic strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the effect it provides, Imagecrafter bears a mana cost that can be deemed on the higher side. There are cards available with a lower cost that could execute similar or more impactful board effects, thus offering a more economical use of valuable mana resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Imagecrafter is one of those unique cards that can adapt to various deck styles. Its ability to change creature types at will allows for dynamic synergy with tribal decks while also serving as a tool for disruption against your opponents’ creature-dependent strategies.

Combo Potential: With Imagecrafter, savvy players can set up powerful combos, especially in decks that capitalize on specific creature type interactions. Its low mana cost also means it can seamlessly integrate into combo chains without disrupting your mana curve.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal themes or creature type bonuses are prevalent, Imagecrafter can prove to be an underestimated utility card. Its ability to manipulate creature types instantaneously can be crucial for gaining the upper hand in creature-centric matchups.

How to beat

Imagecrafter is a unique Magic the Gathering card that may seem deceptively simple at first glance. With the ability to transform the creature type of a target creature, it can be a linchpin for tribal synergies and disrupt opponent strategies. Predominantly seen in casual formats, Imagecrafter can decisively influence the battlefield. To successfully counteract this card, it’s essential to prioritize removal spells or abilities that can either target the Imagecrafter directly or clear the board of multiple creatures. Swift responses such as Shock or Fatal Push are efficient at eliminating Imagecrafter before it can impact the game significantly.

Apart from instant-speed removal, countering abilities with cards like Stifle can neutralize its effect, ensuring that your opponent’s creature types remain unchanged. If Imagecrafter has already altered the board state, adjusting your own strategy to reduce the reliance on creature type interactions can mitigate its impact. Additionally, employing diverse threats that don’t hinge on a specific creature type can help evade the potential disruptions caused by Imagecrafter’s ability.

In essence, neutralizing Imagecrafter quickly, utilizing counteractive spells, or shifting away from tribal dependence are key methods to diminish this card’s influence in a game of Magic the Gathering.

Cards like Imagecrafter

Magic: The Gathering’s Imagecrafter shares a likeness with other cards that offer flexibility in creature types. Mistform Mutant, for instance, also brings versatility to the board by allowing players to change a creature’s type until end of turn, providing similar advantages for tribal themes. However, Mistform Mutant requires a higher mana investment and targets only creatures you control, unlike Imagecrafter’s ability to target any creature.

Unsettled Mariner is another card that often finds itself in the same discussions, providing protection to your other creatures and countering spells or abilities that target them unless the opponent pays extra. While this doesn’t mirror Imagecrafter’s direct gameplay impact of altering creature types, it adds value to decks focused on specific creature synergies.

Analyzing these cards, Imagecrafter stands out for its unique role in certain combo decks and tribal strategies, offering an inexpensive and repeatable effect that can be used both offensively and defensively. Its low cost and versatility make it an interesting choice for players looking to capitalize on creature type mechanics within the game.

Cards similar to Imagecrafter by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imagecrafter MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Imagecrafter and other MTG cards: