Imps' Taunt MTG Card

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 138

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number TMP-138

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Abilities	Buyback

Key Takeaways

Imps’ Taunt disrupts opponents, leading to advantageous card trades and potential resource acceleration.
Its instant speed enables adaptive plays, maximizing strategic options during an opponent’s turn.
However, Imps’ Taunt requires careful mana management and hand size consideration due to its casting cost.

Text of card

Buyback o3 (You may pay an additional o3 when you play this spell. If you do, put it into your hand instead of your graveyard as part of the spell's effect.) Target creature attacks this turn if able.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Imps’ Taunt offers a strategic edge by forcing your opponent to play spells during their turn, potentially leading to beneficial card trades and disrupting their hand, paving the way for card advantage on your side.

Resource Acceleration: This card can shift the momentum of the game by skewing the resource allocation. By making an opponent act prematurely, you could cause them to waste valuable mana, thereby gaining an indirect form of resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Imps’ Taunt gives you the flexibility to catch an opponent off-guard. It allows for last-minute decisions that can adapt to the developing board state and your opponent’s actions during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One major drawback of Imps’ Taunt is its discard condition. Players must let go of a card in their hand, which can be a strategic setback, especially when operating with a diminished hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Imps’ Taunt demands a precise mana configuration to cast, requiring not just one, but two black mana symbols in its cost. This can restrict deck building, as it requires a strong commitment to black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Imps’ Taunt sits at a higher point on the mana curve. In competitive play where efficiency is key, needing three mana, two of which are color-specific, might not be the best trade-off for the effect it provides, considering alternative cards could achieve more impact for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Imps’ Taunt in Your Collection

Versatility: Imps’ Taunt offers a unique flexibility for a variety of decks that thrive on controlling the pace of the game, particularly in red color schemes that may lack traditional instant-speed interaction.

Combo Potential: As a card that can disrupt opponents during their critical turns, Imps’ Taunt has potential to be an enabler in combos that capitalize on opponents being tapped out or within setup for a game-winning move.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks that focus on casting high-cost spells or commanders, Imps’ Taunt rises in value, being able to dictate opponents’ actions or even deny them the momentum they need could be decisive, making it a savvy addition in a shifting competitive landscape.

How to beat

Imps’ Taunt is a unique addition to the arsenal of tricks and tactics within Magic: The Gathering. At its core, this card is designed to disrupt opponents, forcing them to attack if able and potentially putting them at a strategic disadvantage. To effectively counteract Imps’ Taunt, it’s essential to maintain a robust defense. Cards that bolster your creatures’ toughness or grant them indestructible during your opponent’s turn can be invaluable in surviving the onslaught that Imps’ Taunt can provoke.

Additionally, incorporating spells that control the battlefield such as removal or bounce effects can help you manage the threats as they arise. The key lies in outsmarting the taunt by playing around your opponent’s strategy, blunting their offensive edges. Control decks that focus on dictating the pace of the game or combo decks that can win regardless of the state of the battlefield may find it easier to circumvent the challenges posed by Imps’ Taunt.

Ultimately, understanding the nuances of when to deploy your defenders and when to prioritize eliminating the key threats will play a crucial role in overcoming the deceptive simplicity of such a card. Strategy and patience, coupled with some clever deck construction, are your best allies in turning the tables on the Imps’ demanding challenge.

Cards like Imps' Taunt

Imps’ Taunt is a unique spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, often compared to other disruptive red cards. Like Imps’ Taunt, cards such as Pyroblast and Red Elemental Blast serve as powerful counters specifically targeting blue spells, which can be crucial in certain matchups. However, Imps’ Taunt takes an alternative approach by forcing an opponent to act prematurely, potentially disrupting their strategy.

Within this specific niche, we also have cards like Ricochet Trap garnering attention. While sharing the redirection ability, Ricochet Trap can be cast for a single red mana under the right conditions, offering flexibility in timing. In sharp contrast, Imps’ Taunt lacks such cost reduction but compensates with its ability to entice an opponent into making the first move in the exchange. Additionally, we have the card Burnout, which not only counters blue spells but also draws a card, giving it an edge in card advantage over Imps’ Taunt.

Overall, when evaluating these alternatives, Imps’ Taunt presents a strategic advantage in certain game scenarios, setting itself alongside, if not slightly apart from, similar disruptive red spells within Magic: The Gathering. Its distinct approach to engaging opponents offers players a tool to throw adversaries off balance by forcing actions on their terms.

Cards similar to Imps' Taunt by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imps' Taunt MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and The List, 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 Imps' Taunt and other MTG cards: