Putrid Imp MTG Card


Putrid Imp strengthens hand and graveyard interplay, providing strategic advantages with its discard ability. Its speed in activating graveyard talents makes it a formidable enabler in specialized decks. Demands careful hand management due to its necessity for discard to unlock its full potential.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Imp
Abilities Threshold
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Discard a card from your hand: Putrid Imp gains flying until end of turn. Threshold Putrid Imp gets +1/+1 and can't block. (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)


Cards like Putrid Imp

Putrid Imp finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a nimble creature that elegantly synergizes with graveyard strategies. It shares traits with cards like Wild Mongrel, letting players discard cards to tailor their hand and power up the creature simultaneously. Unlike Wild Mongrel, which can adjust its color to dodge targeted removal, Putrid Imp focuses on a singular goal – getting cards into the graveyard quickly, which can be crucial for reanimation tactics or powering up threshold abilities.

Another card of note is Insolent Neonate. Although it provides a one-off discard and draw effect, the Neonate is more about that immediate burst of graveyard setup, whereas Putrid Imp offers a repeatable option if left unchecked. Moreover, Putrid Imp’s threshold bonus of gaining flying makes it an evasive threat once you’ve stocked your graveyard adequately, something the Neonate lacks. Lastly, we find Lotleth Troll as a resilient comparison. The Troll, with its regeneration ability, survives most removal, but it comes at the cost of heftier mana investment than the nimble Putrid Imp.

Arguably, when considering the balance between cost, effect, and synergy with various MTG strategies, Putrid Imp stands out as an efficient and highly compatible creature for decks aiming to leverage the graveyard as a resource.

Wild Mongrel - MTG Card versions
Insolent Neonate - MTG Card versions
Lotleth Troll - MTG Card versions
Wild Mongrel - MTG Card versions
Insolent Neonate - MTG Card versions
Lotleth Troll - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Putrid Imp. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
LED 5cLED 5c LegacyLED DredgeLegacy Challenge 64 2024-02-25
LED 4cLED 4c LegacyLED DredgeLegacy Challenge 32 2024-04-27 (1)
MadnessMadness LegacyMadnessLegacy Challenge 32 2024-03-09
Jund MadnessJund Madness LegacyMadness2 LPL OPEN - SEASON V - Liga Paulista Legacy
Golgari LoamGolgari Loam Legacy3 Etapa - 3 Liga Legacy Jundia
Mono-Black BurnMono-Black Burn PauperBlack BurnLiga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 2
4-color Loam4-color Loam Legacy2 Etapa - 3 Liga Legacy Jundia
WUBRGWUBRG LegacyLegacy Preliminary 2024-03-06
Grixis DredgeGrixis Dredge LegacyLED DredgeCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 9
Sultai HogaakSultai Hogaak LegacyHogaak100 / The 100th Legacy at Home

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Putrid Imp offers a strategic edge by enabling graveyard synergy, which in turn can bolster your hand with cards that interact with the graveyard, setting you up for advantageous plays.

Resource Acceleration: This card excels in decks that thrive on rapid graveyard filling. By discarding cards, particularly those with threshold or abilities that trigger from the graveyard, Putrid Imp becomes a catalyzing force for resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Putrid Imp’s discard ability doesn’t use the stack, allowing you to discard cards at instant speed. This not only disrupts your opponent’s expectations but can also serve as a surprise tactic, preparing your graveyard for immediate reanimation strategies or threshold activation without warning.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Putrid Imp card demands discarding another card to achieve threshold and gain the advantageous flying ability. This prerequisite could be detrimental, especially in tight situations where maintaining a full hand is crucial for strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Putrid Imp’s casting cost requires black mana, which necessarily confines it to black decks or those that can accommodate a black mana curve. This might limit the card’s versatility in various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although offering the utility of becoming a flying creature, the Putrid Imp’s mana cost is a significant investment for an ability that hinges on possessing seven or more cards in the graveyard. In competitive play, other cards might provide more immediate impact or better graveyard-enabling mechanics without the burden of a high discard threshold.


Reasons to Include Putrid Imp in Your Collection

Versatility: Putrid Imp offers more than a simple creature card. Its ability to gain flying when threshold is met makes it a flexible option for both early defense and late-game offense. It’s an asset in decks that need a one-drop with a solid presence on the board.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with graveyard-centric strategies. Its discard ability is key in setups that leverage graveyard manipulation, enabling powerful synergies with reanimator spells or enabling threshold quickly for various advantages.

Meta-Relevance: Putrid Imp holds its own in metas heavy with graveyard interaction. As graveyard strategies fluctuate in popularity, cards like Putrid Imp that facilitate such playstyles maintain relevance and can become pivotal in many matchups.


How to beat

Putrid Imp is a well-known creature card that can upset the balance of any game with its discard ability and threshold granting it flying. Tackling this card head-on requires a strategic approach. While the Imp enables graveyard strategies by discarding cards, its one toughness makes it susceptible to removal. Simple spells like Shock or Fatal Push can easily eliminate Putrid Imp before its abilities become a major threat. Moreover, graveyard hate cards, such as Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze, can neutralize the advantages gained from stocking the graveyard, rendering the Imp’s strategy ineffective.

Preventing the Imp from reaching its threshold is also key. This can be done by limiting the number of cards your opponent can discard or by using cards that shuffle the graveyard back into the library. It’s essential to be mindful of the cards Putrid Imp could enable, like reanimation spells or creatures with delve, and prepare your deck with appropriate counters or removal. Proactive tactics will help you maintain control and minimize the impact of Putrid Imp’s abilities in your games.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we delve into the depths of card strategy, Putrid Imp emerges as a unique piece in your MTG arsenal, bringing graveyard dynamics front and center. This creature is a staple for crafty players who manipulate the graveyard to unlock powerful plays. Its repeatable discard ability becomes a game-changer, supporting strategies that few cards can parallel. Embrace the nuances of Putrid Imp, and let it unlock new levels of play for you. Discover the card’s full potential and integrate it into your repertoire to elevate your deck’s performance. Curious about how to effectively integrate Putrid Imp into your build? Join us for in-depth tactics and expert guidance on maximizing your MTG strategies.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Putrid Imp MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Premium Deck Series: Graveborn, 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 Putrid Imp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Putrid Imp Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Wayne England.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-02-04TormentTOR 771997NormalBlackWayne England
22011-11-18Premium Deck Series: GravebornPD3 12003NormalBlackWayne England
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1352015NormalBlackWayne England

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Putrid Imp has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal