Teferi's Imp MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Imp |
| Abilities | Flying,Phasing |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 98 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Una Fricker |
Text of card
Flying, phasing When Teferi's Imp phases out, choose and discard a card. When Teferi's Imp phases in, draw a card.
Made you look.
Cards like Teferi's Imp
Teferi’s Imp has always been an intriguing creature within the Magic: The Gathering universe. It invites comparisons with other phasing creatures like Ertai’s Familiar. Both offer a sense of unpredictability through the phased-out mechanic. Unlike Ertai’s Familiar, Teferi’s Imp allows for a more controlled card cycling, letting you phase out the Imp itself and draw a card simultaneously.
Straying from phasing, Shadowmage Infiltrator is another card that rewards players with card draw but through combat damage to a player. Although it doesn’t have the same phasing trickery, it boasts consistent card advantage while remaining on the battlefield. Similarly, Thieving Magpie delivers card draw with each hit on an opponent, yet it doesn’t share the evasive phasing ability or the need to leave the battlefield to gain the benefit.
Assessing Teferi’s Imp alongside its contemporaries, its uniqueness lies in the phasing mechanic which offers both protection and card advantage. This balance of evasion and draw power ensures that it holds a distinct place in decks that exploit the interplay between phases and card flow.
Cards similar to Teferi's Imp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Teferi’s Imp offers the strategic benefit of selectively cycling through your deck by its discard and draw ability. This can effectively help you sift for key cards and optimize your hand, keeping you ahead in the card advantage battle.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly a ramp tool, the Imp’s ability to refine hand quality indirectly accelerates your resource access by increasing the chances of drawing into land drops or key spells needed to advance your board state.
Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed, Teferi’s Imp provides flexibility in gameplay. You can respond to your opponent’s moves, utilize mana efficiently, and adapt to the evolving board without sacrificing your turn’s actions. This makes the Imp a subtle but powerful tactical asset.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Teferi’s Imp necessitates the discard of another card from your hand upon attacking, which can diminish your hand advantage and potentially force you to get rid of a valuable card.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of one blue and two other mana sources, which may not always align with the fluid mana base of multi-colored or splash decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana investment for a 1/1 creature, Teferi’s Imp may appear as an inefficient option when compared to other creatures or spells that provide greater impact or value at a similar or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Teferi’s Imp offers flexibility as it can fit seamlessly into blue-based control or midrange decks. Its ability to phase in and out at will makes it a resilient threat that can dodge sorcery-speed removal.
Combo Potential: With its unique phasing ability, Teferi’s Imp pairs well with cards that capitalize on its entry and exit from the battlefield, offering interesting interactions and synergies in a combo-oriented deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where information is key, Teferi’s Imp provides consistent card filtering, allowing players to keep their hands optimized against the field and stay ahead in the game.
How to beat
Teferi’s Imp is a unique card that offers a decent level of utility on the battlefield. Its ability to phase out and avoid danger while maintaining card advantage can be tricky to combat. But there are ways to outmaneuver this elusive creature. Targeted removal isn’t the best strategy given the Imp’s phasing ability, as it may not be present when you aim to strike.
Instead, utilizing cards that affect the opponent universally or disrupt their hand can be more effective. Cards like Leyline of the Void can nullify the Imp’s graveyard interaction, while hand disruption tactics can limit the resources your opponent has to use with the Imp’s ability. Global effects like board wipes can also be used to your advantage, taking out Teferi’s Imp along with other creatures when it’s phased in.
Ultimately, adapting your play style to manage your resources efficiently and keeping pressure on your opponent so they can’t easily capitalize on Teferi’s Imp’s abilities is key. With careful planning and the right cards, you can mitigate the advantages that Teferi’s Imp brings to the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Teferi's Imp MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Teferi's Imp and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Teferi's Imp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Teferi's Imp 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 | There is no negative effect if you can’t discard when it phases out. You still get to draw a card when it phases in. |