Imp's Mischief MTG Card

Planar Chaos (PLC)
2007-02-02 - Number 72

Imp's Mischief - Commander Masters (CMM)

Commander Masters (CMM)
2023-08-04 - Number 167

Commander Masters (CMM)
2023-08-04 - Number 514

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant

Key Takeaways

Provides spell disruption and potential card advantage through clever target redirection at instant speed.
Its low mana cost and instant speed enable reactive and flexible plays, maintaining board control.
While potent, it demands specific mana and might not suit every deck, especially multicolored ones.

Text of card

Change the target of target spell with a single target. You lose life equal to that spell's converted mana cost.

"Do the innocent pay for the crimes of the guilty? Of course they do. That's the fate of the weak." —Nicol Bolas

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Imp’s Mischief shines by altering the target of an opponent’s spell, effectively acting as a counter without using the stack traditionally associated with counter spells. This can leave your opponent unprepared and, if used wisely, can transition the outcome of their spell from potential detriment to your advantage, sometimes even assisting your own board state.

Resource Acceleration: While Imp’s Mischief itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its low casting cost allows for a greater flexibility in your mana economy. You can utilize your resources effectively by keeping only two black mana open to cast it, assuring that you can still develop your board and maintain a defense against your opponent’s spells.

Instant Speed: The strength of Imp’s Mischief lies in its ability to be cast at instant speed, providing you with a reactive tool to surprise opponents and disrupt their strategies at crucial moments. This characteristic allows players to make pivotal decisions during an opponent’s turn, keeping them on their toes and securing your board’s integrity against unexpected threats.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Imp’s Mischief may offer a tempting twist on spell redirection, it comes at the potential cost of precious card advantage. For those times when you have less in hand, the price of casting may be too steep.

Specific Mana Cost: Imp’s Mischief’s requirement for black mana restricts it to certain archetypes, typically making it a niche card. This might not seamlessly integrate into multicolor decks that are not heavily skewed towards black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Two mana might not seem overly burdensome, but in the fast-paced world of competitive play, efficiency is key. There are alternatives that could offer more upfront impact or versatility for the same, or even lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Imp’s Mischief offers a unique twist to black’s suite of spells. Its ability to redirect target spells is as unexpected as it is broad, allowing for protection of your key pieces or interference with an opponent’s plans.

Combo Potential: This can be a critical piece in combo-based decks, cleverly countering spells targeted at your winning combos or redirecting valuable beneficial spells from an opponent to yourself.

Meta-Relevance: With a diverse field that often includes critical spot removal or game-winning instants, Imp’s Mischief’s utility in the current meta cannot be understated, making it a sneaky yet powerful addition to any player’s arsenal.

How to beat

Imp’s Mischief is an intriguing black instant card in MTG that can disrupt an opponent’s strategies by changing the target of a spell with a single target. Its ability to redirect spells without changing their original effects can be both a blessing and a curse. Tackling Imp’s Mischief requires a mix of careful planning and timely execution. One method is to provoke its use prematurely by casting spells that are less crucial, thereby depleting the opponent’s mana resources. Also, holding onto cards that can counteract or neutralize the effects of redirected spells, such as instant-speed removal or counterspells, can nullify the advantage Imp’s Mischief may provide.

Another strategy is to diversify your threats, ensuring that even if a spell’s target is changed, it doesn’t significantly disrupt your overall game plan. Broad-effect spells that don’t target, or those with multiple targets, also bypass the mischief this card can cause. Lastly, consider the timing of your spells. Play them when your opponent lacks the mana to cast Imp’s Mischief, effectively sidestepping the disruption it could cause. Vigilance and adaptability are key in overcoming the tricks up Imp’s Mischief’s sleeve.

BurnMana Recommendations

The essence of MTG gameplay often hinges on strategic card choices and timely plays. Imp’s Mischief exemplifies this by potentially turning the tide of a game with its spell redirection capabilities. Embrace the depth of your black-oriented decks and infuse them with the deceptive power of this card, assuring those high-stakes moments lean in your favor. Are you ready to wield the sly subterfuge Imp’s Mischief offers? Discover more intricate strategies, broaden your MTG knowledge, and refine your deck-building skills with us. Dive further into the captivating world of Magic the Gathering and secure your next victory with cunning precision.

Cards like Imp's Mischief

Imp’s Mischief is a unique card in the MTG universe with its ability to redirect spells. Its closest relative is perhaps Redirect, which also changes the target of a spell but requires blue mana. However, Imp’s Mischief’s black mana cost gives it a special position, notably in decks not running blue. Additionally, unlike Redirect, Imp’s Mischief can adjust the effects of spells that can’t normally be targeted by swapping targets or even change the target of spells with multiple targets.

Analogous to Imp’s Mischief, we can look at Misdirection, which offers a similar effect but can be cast for free if you exile a blue card from your hand. This presents a powerful option for blue players wanting to maintain tempo. On the flip side, Imp’s Mischief comes with life loss proportional to the mana cost of the spell being targeted, a fair trade-off for its flexibility in black decks. Wild Ricochet, another parallel, allows red mage players not only to redirect but also to copy an instant or sorcery, although at a higher mana cost.

Each spell redirection card holds its merits, but Imp’s Mischief stands out for black mages due to its mana compatibility and tactical depth, providing subtlety and surprise in game-altering moments.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imp's Mischief MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Commander Masters, 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 Imp's Mischief and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Imp's Mischief Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Thomas M. Baxa.

#	Release	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2007-02-02	Planar Chaos	PLC	72	2003	normal	black	Thomas M. Baxa
2	2023-08-04	Commander Masters	CMM	167	2015	normal	black	Thomas M. Baxa
3	2023-08-04	Commander Masters	CMM	514	2015	normal	black	Thomas M. Baxa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Imp's Mischief has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	If there is no other legal target for the spell, this does not change the target.
2004-10-04	Once the spell resolves, the new target is considered to be targeted by the deflected spell. This will trigger any effects which trigger on being targeted.
2004-10-04	The target of a spell that targets another spell on the stack can be changed to any other spell on the stack, even if the new target will resolve before the spell does.
2004-10-04	This does not check if the current target is legal. It just checks if the spell has a single target.
2004-10-04	This only targets the spell being changed, not the original or new target of the spell it is affecting.
2004-10-04	You can choose to make a spell on the stack target this spell (if such a target choice would be legal had the spell been cast while this spell was on the stack). The new target for the deflected spell is not chosen until this spell resolves. This spell is still on the stack when new targets are selected for the spell.
2004-10-04	You can’t make a spell which is on the stack target itself.
2004-10-04	You choose the spell to target on announcement, but you pick the new target for that spell on resolution.
2007-02-01	If a spell has multiple targets but is targeting the same thing with all of them (such as Seeds of Strength targeting the same creature three times), you can’t target that spell with Imp’s Mischief.
2007-02-01	If a spell targets multiple things, you can’t target it with Imp’s Mischief, even if all but one of the targets has become illegal.
2007-02-01	If there is no other legal target for the spell, the spell’s target isn’t changed. You still lose the life.