Reckless Imp MTG Card

Reckless Imp shines with its dash ability, offering repeatable, evasion-focused gameplay elements. Its mana cost and discard requirement may deter its inclusion in some deck strategies. A strategic asset in fast-paced decks, Reckless Imp fits well in aggressive MTG strategies.

Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
2015-03-27 - Number 115

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 749

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-115

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Imp
Abilities	Dash,Flying
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Flying Reckless Imp can't block. Dash (You may cast this spell for its dash cost. If you do, it gains haste, and it's returned from the battlefield to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.)

Cards like Reckless Imp

Reckless Imp offers MTG enthusiasts a strategic advantage with its dash ability, allowing for sudden airborne assaults. It is closely related to the card Bloodsoaked Champion in the realm of aggressive creatures. While Bloodsoaked Champion can return to the battlefield with ease after demise, it lacks the flying trait, making Reckless Imp the preferred choice for evading ground blockers.

Examining another analog, Goblin Heelcutter also possesses dash, enabling it to swoop into battle unexpectedly. However, the Heelcutter targets opponents by preventing their creatures from blocking for a turn, whereas Reckless Imp fortifies its own position with flying. The tactical influence of either card greatly depends on the state of the game board.

Guerrilla Tactics is another consideration, highlighting different aspects in juxtaposition to Reckless Imp. Although not a creature, Guerrilla Tactics is reactive, dealing damage when discarded from a player’s hand, contrasting with the proactive engagement style of deploying the Imp. Each offers its own unique advantages based on the situation at hand within the MTG universe.

Bloodsoaked Champion - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Reckless Imp by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reckless Imp provides a subtle form of card advantage through its dash mechanic, allowing you to repeatedly cast it for immediate impact, bypassing the need for it to survive summoning sickness or removal spells.

Resource Acceleration: While the Reckless Imp itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its low casting cost and dash ability work well in decks that aim to quickly deploy threats and overwhelm opponents, effectively accelerating your aggressive game plan.

Instant Speed: The strength of Reckless Imp’s dash ability mirrors the benefits of instant speed interactions. It can be cast during the combat phase, catching opponents off guard and allowing for strategic trades or decisive attacks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One significant drawback of Reckless Imp is the necessity to discard a card when using its dash ability. This can be particularly detrimental when your hand is already depleted, forcing you to sacrifice potential future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Reckless Imp demands a strict mana alignment, requiring both black and colorless mana to cast. This makes it a less versatile option for decks that aren’t heavily focused on black mana sources or multicolored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though offering flying and cannot be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach, the total mana cost to get the most out of Reckless Imp may be seen as steep. Other cards in the game provide similar or better abilities at a lower mana cost, making them more cost-effective choices in deck building.

Reasons to Include Reckless Imp in Your Collection

Versatility: Reckless Imp offers a flexible role in numerous deck types with its flying ability that can skirt past many ground defenses. Additionally, its Dash mechanic can be a surprise element, allowing it to swoop in unexpectedly during a match.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that capitalize on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield or requiring attacks each turn. It can also complement sacrifice synergies due to its ability to return to your hand after dashing.

Meta-Relevance: Recognizing the speed of your opponents’ decks is crucial. In a fast-paced environment, Reckless Imp gains ground with its aggressive cost-to-damage ratio and instant deployment capability, staying relevant to many aggressive, fast-meta scenarios.

How to beat

The Reckless Imp card from Magic: The Gathering is an intriguing challenge to overcome in gameplay. With its Dash ability allowing it to attack the same turn it comes into play, along with flying, it’s built to provide quick damage to opponents. However, its drawback is that it cannot block, which presents tactical opportunities for savvy players.

One effective strategy is employing cards that create creature tokens or those that put multiple creatures onto the battlefield. Since Reckless Imp can’t be part of the defending team, you’re free to put pressure on your opponent during your turn. Sweepers or removal spells are also excellent because they can deal with the Imp regardless of its speed and evasion. This includes cards like Doom Blade, which can eliminate the Imp instantaneously, keeping your life total safe. Lastly, enchantments that prevent creatures from attacking or cards that punish opponents for attacking can also serve to counteract the aggressive nature of Reckless Imp.

Ultimately, overcoming the Reckless Imp requires a mix of removal spells, blockers, and control elements that make the fast-paced damage less of a threat and capitalize on its inability to defend.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reckless Imp MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Reckless Imp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Reckless Imp Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Torstein Nordstrand.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2015-03-27	Dragons of Tarkir	DTK	115	2015	Normal	Black	Torstein Nordstrand
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	749	2015	Normal	Black	Torstein Nordstrand
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	DTK-115	2015	Normal	Black	Torstein Nordstrand

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reckless Imp has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2015-02-25	If a creature enters the battlefield as a copy of or becomes a copy of a creature whose dash cost was paid, the copy won’t have haste and won’t be returned to its owner’s hand.
2015-02-25	If you choose to pay the dash cost rather than the mana cost, you’re still casting the spell. It goes on the stack and can be responded to and countered. You can cast a creature spell for its dash cost only when you otherwise could cast that creature spell. Most of the time, this means during your main phase when the stack is empty.
2015-02-25	If you pay the dash cost to cast a creature spell, that card will be returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s still on the battlefield when its triggered ability resolves. If it dies or goes to another zone before then, it will stay where it is.
2015-02-25	You don’t have to attack with the creature with dash unless another ability says you do.