Psychic Impetus MTG Card


Enchanting with Psychic Impetus grants continuous card draw, leveraging opponents’ creatures to your advantage. Though not instant speed, it impacts combat dynamics and can accelerate your resource gain indirectly. Its specific mana cost and discard potential may be limiting, while still offering strategic versatility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant,Goad,Scry

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and is goaded. (It attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.) Whenever enchanted creature attacks, you scry 2.


Cards like Psychic Impetus

Psychic Impetus is another intriguing enchantment in the realm of MTG that serves to turn creatures into forced aggressors. This card echoes the themes seen in cards like Vow of Lightning, which also makes creatures more combative and rewards you when they attack anyone other than you. However, Psychic Impetus stands out by giving a scry 2 benefit each time the enchanted creature attacks, whereas Vow of Lightning offers a more straightforward power increase.

Dive a bit deeper, and you’ll find cards like Bloodthirsty Blade, which operates differently by allowing you to attach it to an opponent’s creature and goad it. The strategic difference is that it transfers control over who gets goaded each turn. Another similar enchantment is Predatory Urge, which also provokes creatures to fight, though it does so in the form of direct combat as opposed to encouraging attacks on your opponents.

In the grand scheme of MTG, Psychic Impetus carves a niche for itself among enchantments that manipulate combat. Its ability to sway the battle to your benefit with additional scrying provides an edge that can potentially guide players to victory through improved card selection.

Vow of Lightning - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Blade - MTG Card versions
Predatory Urge - MTG Card versions
Vow of Lightning - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Blade - MTG Card versions
Predatory Urge - MTG Card versions

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

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In the Eye of Chaos - MTG Card versions
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Mana Vortex - MTG Card versions
Energy Flux - MTG Card versions
Gaseous Form - MTG Card versions
Mesmeric Trance - MTG Card versions
Soul Barrier - MTG Card versions
Puppet Master - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions
Intruder Alarm - MTG Card versions
Equilibrium - MTG Card versions
Mana Breach - MTG Card versions
Checks and Balances - MTG Card versions
Douse - MTG Card versions
Veiled Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Charisma - MTG Card versions
Traveler's Cloak - MTG Card versions
Shifting Sky - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: When enchanting an opponent’s creature with Psychic Impetus, not only do you incentivize them to attack another player, but you also draw a card whenever that creature attacks. This mechanic provides you with a consistent stream of card advantage, keeping your hand replenished as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Psychic Impetus is part of the “Impetus” cycle that can help alter the tempo of the game. Although it does not directly produce mana, it can indirectly accelerate your resources by pressuring opponents and potentially benefiting from their creatures’ attacks without using your own creatures or resources.

Instant Speed: As an enchantment, Psychic Impetus is not cast at instant speed; however, its effect can create instant-speed advantages on the battlefield. By affecting how and when creatures attack, it can unexpectedly alter the course of combat to your favor, simulating the benefits of having an instant-speed interaction in play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Psychic Impetus may not directly require a discard, but it can potentially put you in a disadvantageous position if opponents choose to discard to avoid granting you extra card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: As an enchantment with a specific mana cost that includes blue, this card could be restrictive in decks not tuned to capitalize on blue mana availability or multicolor flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With three mana, including one blue, its impact on the board might not match the investment, especially when more immediate and impactful cards are available at a similar or lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Psychic Impetus is a dynamic addition to any deck aiming to manipulate opponents’ behavior. Its ability to force attacks not only disrupts your opponents’ plans but also can be used strategically in both aggressive and control-style decks.

Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for numerous combos, particularly in decks that thrive on giving and then benefiting from opponents controlling specific permanents. It creates a synergistic environment for politics and unexpected alliances in multiplayer formats.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to shift the balance of power on the battlefield, Psychic Impetus can be particularly effective in metas where creature-based strategies dominate. Encouraging opponents to attack each other can be a significant tactical advantage.


How to beat

Psychic Impetus stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an enchantment that not only goads a particular creature but also rewards its controller with card advantage. Similar enchantments like this have shifted the flow of multiplayer games, encouraging attacks away from you. Yet, while the goad aspect remains a nuisance, players can strategize around it to minimize its impact.

To effectively counter this card, consider removal spells that can target enchantments such as Naturalize or Disenchant. These instants allow you to seamlessly remove the Impetus without losing pace in your game plan. Additionally, utilizing creatures with hexproof or shroud can prevent the Impetus from latching onto your valuable creatures from the outset, undermining your opponent’s efforts to manipulate combat.

Remember, understanding the dynamics of threat assessment in multiplayer formats is key. Psychic Impetus can become an advantage for a savvy player who uses it to pit opponents against each other while developing their own board state. Adapt your strategy accordingly to ensure that the Impetus does not tip the scales too dramatically in favor of the enchanting player.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re looking to expand your control over the battlefield, incorporating Psychic Impetus into your deck could be a game-changer. By subtly influencing your opponents’ decisions and reaping rewards every turn, you edge closer to victory. Whether you’re seeking to cultivate a complex strategy in multiplayer games or disrupt aggressive opponents, this card can be your ally. It’s about weaving the unexpected into your plan. Curious about striking the perfect synergy or looking to counter strategies that leverage this enchantment? Dive with us into the crafting of decks where Psychic Impetus could shine, helping you secure your winning position. Learn more and harness the power of strategic enchantments in MTG.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Psychic Impetus Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-04-17 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-04-17Commander 2020C20 372015NormalBlackLindsey Look
22021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 922015NormalBlackLindsey Look
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 892015NormalBlackDiego Gisbert
42024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 922015NormalBlackLindsey Look

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Psychic Impetus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Psychic 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.
2020-04-17 Psychic Impetus causes you to scry 2, not the attacking creature's controller.