Pilfering Imp MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Imp |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 81 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Igor Kieryluk |
Key Takeaways
- Selective discard with Pilfering Imp disrupts opponents, granting information and a strategic edge.
- Instant speed activation provides flexibility, allowing for optimal mana usage and surprise plays.
- While useful, Pilfering Imp’s mana cost may deter some players due to better alternatives.
Text of card
Flying , , Sacrifice Pilfering Imp: Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pilfering Imp provides a strategic advantage by allowing you to peek at an opponent’s hand and choose a nonland card to be discarded. This selective disruption not only weakens your opponent’s strategic options but also gives you valuable information about their potential moves, effectively increasing your own card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Pilfering Imp itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its early presence on the battlefield as a one-drop creature can lead to significant tempo gains. By potentially removing a key card from your opponent’s hand, the Imp can slow them down, giving you the upper hand to develop your board faster.
Instant Speed: Its activated ability can be used at instant speed, granting you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy on their turn. This versatility allows you to maximize your mana efficiency and keep your options open until the most impactful moment, whether that’s interrupting a crucial spell cast or simply at the end of your opponent’s turn before your untap phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Pilfering Imp requires the player to discard a card when utilizing its activated ability. This can be a setback when a player’s hand is already diminished or when every card in hand is vital for upcoming strategies. Letting go of possibly crucial cards can sometimes lead to a disadvantageous position.
Specific Mana Cost: Pilfering Imp demands a precise mana cost that includes one black mana. This requirement means that it fits predominantly into black or black-inclusive decks, potentially limiting the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes that do not operate with black mana or cannot afford the color commitment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the mana cost to ability ratio, Pilfering Imp may not appear as efficient. The card’s total casting and ability costs sum up to three mana which is relatively high when compared to other creatures or spells that offer similar or better discard effects. Savvy players might opt for alternatives that provide more value or less costly disruptions to opponents.
Reasons to Include Pilfering Imp in Your Collection
Versatility: Pilfering Imp offers flexible game play at the early stages of the match. Its ability to force an opponent to discard a card upon sacrificing makes it an excellent addition to black decks aiming to disrupt opponents’ hands.
Combo Potential: When synergized with graveyard mechanics or sacrifice triggers, Pilfering Imp becomes more than just a discard tool. It can serve as an engine in strategies focused on utilizing the graveyard, such as reanimator or aristocrat archetypes.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by control decks with powerful noncreature spells, Pilfering Imp’s targeted discard can selectively remove key pieces from your opponent’s arsenal, giving you a strategic edge in the battle of resources.
How to beat
Pilfering Imp offers MTG players an intriguing form of control and information warfare. This pesky creature allows its controller to peek at an opponent’s hand and potentially discard a key card, which can be pivotal in disrupting their strategy. The Imp is a strategic silver bullet in the early game against decks that rely heavily on a singular card to execute their game plan or stabilize.
To counter Pilfering Imp’s ability, savvy players should consider diversifying their hand with redundant pieces or versatile responses. This minimizes the impact of a single card being discarded. Including instant-speed interaction can allow players to react to the Imp’s ability being put on the stack. This enables them to remove the Imp before its ability resolves or to at least dispose of cards that they don’t mind being discarded. Additionally, decks with a graveyard recursion theme might actually benefit from the forced discard, turning the Imp’s ability against the controlling player.
Evaluating the threat Pilfering Imp presents is also crucial; while it can be an annoyance, in many cases it won’t swing the game on its own. Focusing on card advantage and maintaining a robust board state will often negate the disruption Pilfering Imp seeks to achieve.
Cards like Pilfering Imp
Pilfering Imp offers MTG enthusiasts a unique combination of disruption and deck manipulation. Think of it akin to Thoughtseize, a staple in many competitive decks that allows a player to peer into an opponent’s hand and pluck out a threat before it can be played. Pilfering Imp delivers a similar hand-disruption effect, albeit at a slower pace as an activated ability rather than an instant.
Another card that echoes Pilfering Imp’s strategic purpose is Burglar Rat. Both trigger upon entering the battlefield, compelling the opponent to make the tough choice of discarding a card. However, Pilfering Imp requires a mana investment and a sacrifice, which could be a strategic advantage if you’re synergizing with death triggers or other sacrifice mechanics. On the operational side, Black Cat mirrors this intended use, but with the random factor upon its death, leading to potentially unplanned outcomes.
When weighing Pilfering Imp against its peers, its flying ability gives it a clear edge in certain situations. It stands out as a tactical choice for those who value versatility and potential synergy in their MTG gameplay.
Cards similar to Pilfering Imp by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pilfering Imp MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Pilfering Imp and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pilfering Imp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
