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Imp's Mischief

Instant

LegalRank #695

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

Why is this card good?

Imp's Mischief is black's answer to "blue gets to play interaction and I don't." For two mana, you can redirect targeted removal, counterspells, tutors-into-hand effects, or extra turns — and most importantly, you can protect your combo or commander while turning an opponent's spell against them. The killer use is redirecting targeted effects: someone casts Swords to Plowshares on your commander? Point it at theirs. Someone counters your wincon? Counter their counter. It even fizzles a spell if no other legal target exists. Wants it: combo decks (especially cEDH black combo like Najeela, K'rrik, Tymna shells) that need cheap protection without blue. Also strong in spellslinger/storm builds where redirecting a counter saves the game. Caveats: it's tricky to use — it only hits single-target spells, so board wipes, multi-target removal, and most uncounterable threats dodge it. The life loss can sting against expensive spells. It's a skill-intensive, reactive card that's wasted in casual battlecruiser decks where nobody's targeting your key pieces.

Related cards

Deflecting Swat

Redirects a spell or ability for free, similar protective redirection effect.

Bolt Bend

Cheaply changes targets of a spell or ability, often free with ferocious.

Misdirection

Free counter-magic that redirects a spell with one target.

Redirect

Directly changes the target of a spell, classic redirection effect.

Divert

Forces redirection or extra payment, similar target-changing tool.

Withering Boon

Black counterspell paying life, similar life-as-resource interaction.

Tibalt's Trickery

Counters and disrupts a targeted spell with chaotic redirection feel.

Veil of Summer

Black/green protective instant against targeted spells and counters.

Printings (4)

otpBreaking News · #15R$6.43Buy

cmmCommander Masters · #167R$7.43Buy

cmmCommander Masters · #514R—Buy

plcPlanar Chaos · #72R$7.45Buy

Rulings (10)

2024-04-12
You don't choose the new target for the spell until Imp's Mischief resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can't change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn't changed. It doesn't matter if the original target has somehow become illegal itself.
2024-04-12
If a spell targets multiple things, you can't target it with Imp's Mischief, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal.
2004-10-04
The target of a spell that targets another spell on the stack can be changed to any other spell on the stack, even if the new target will resolve before the spell does.
2004-10-04
You can't make a spell which is on the stack target itself.
2004-10-04
You can choose to make a spell on the stack target this spell (if such a target choice would be legal had the spell been cast while this spell was on the stack). The new target for the deflected spell is not chosen until this spell resolves. This spell is still on the stack when new targets are selected for the spell.
2004-10-04
Once the spell resolves, the new target is considered to be targeted by the deflected spell. This will trigger any effects which trigger on being targeted.
2004-10-04
This does not check if the current target is legal. It just checks if the spell has a single target.
2004-10-04
You choose the spell to target on announcement, but you pick the new target for that spell on resolution.
2004-10-04
If there is no other legal target for the spell, this does not change the target.
2004-10-04
This only targets the spell being changed, not the original or new target of the spell it is affecting.

Discussion (0)

Why is this card good?

Rulings (10)

2024-04-12

You don't choose the new target for the spell until Imp's Mischief resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can't change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn't changed. It doesn't matter if the original target has somehow become illegal itself.

2024-04-12

If a spell targets multiple things, you can't target it with Imp's Mischief, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal.

2004-10-04

The target of a spell that targets another spell on the stack can be changed to any other spell on the stack, even if the new target will resolve before the spell does.

2004-10-04

You can't make a spell which is on the stack target itself.

2004-10-04

You can choose to make a spell on the stack target this spell (if such a target choice would be legal had the spell been cast while this spell was on the stack). The new target for the deflected spell is not chosen until this spell resolves. This spell is still on the stack when new targets are selected for the spell.

2004-10-04

Once the spell resolves, the new target is considered to be targeted by the deflected spell. This will trigger any effects which trigger on being targeted.

2004-10-04

This does not check if the current target is legal. It just checks if the spell has a single target.

2004-10-04

You choose the spell to target on announcement, but you pick the new target for that spell on resolution.

2004-10-04

If there is no other legal target for the spell, this does not change the target.

2004-10-04

This only targets the spell being changed, not the original or new target of the spell it is affecting.