Imp's Mischief — Magic: The Gathering card

Imp's Mischief

{1}{B}
Instant

Change the target of target spell with a single target. You lose life equal to that spell's mana value.

*"Do the innocent pay for the crimes of the guilty? Of course they do. That's the fate of the weak."

—Nicol Bolas*

Set Commander Masters
Rarity Rare
Mana Value 2
Artist Thomas M. Baxa
Collector # 167
Scryfall

Why Play Imp's Mischief

Black rarely gets access to spell redirection effects, making this a unique defensive tool that can protect your permanents or turn opponent's removal into advantage. The card shines when redirecting expensive targeted spells like Vindicate or counterspells back at your opponents, though the life loss scales with the spell's cost. Consider it in midrange and control decks that can afford the life payment and want versatile interaction that doubles as protection and disruption.

Format Notes

Most popular in Commander where multiplayer games create frequent opportunities to redirect spells between opponents, often turning their removal against each other. In Legacy and Modern, it sees occasional sideboard play in black-based decks facing removal-heavy matchups or combo decks relying on key targeted spells. The card has never faced banning issues due to its significant life loss drawback and narrow application window.

Combos & Synergies

Pairs excellently with Phyrexian Arena and other incremental life loss engines since you're already comfortable paying life for effects. Works particularly well alongside Leyline of Sanctity or other hexproof effects, forcing opponents to target themselves when they have limited options. Necropotence decks can leverage the life payment as additional card selection fuel while maintaining hand size, turning the drawback into potential advantage.

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Instant