Haunting Imitation MTG Card


Strategically multiplies creature abilities, bolstering board impact without depleting your hand. It escalates your mana availability, facilitating quicker, more potent spellcasting advancements. Instant speed execution allows for unexpected moves and on-the-spot adaptation to opponents’ actions.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Each player reveals the top card of their library. For each creature card revealed this way, create a token that's a copy of that card, except it's 1/1, it's a Spirit in addition to its other types, and it has flying. If no creature cards were revealed this way, return Haunting Imitation to its owner's hand.


Cards like Haunting Imitation

Haunting Imitation joins the ranks of intriguing creature-copying spells in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to Clone, which has long been a staple for copying creatures on the battlefield. However, Haunting Imitation adds a layer of versatility, granting temporary copying ability until end of turn, contrasting with Clone’s permanent effect. This gives players the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield dynamics on the fly.

Another close relative in effect is Mirror Image, offering a way to copy your own creatures for permanent results. Like Clone, Mirror Image creates a lasting copy, yet Haunting Imitation sustains itself by transforming from turn to turn, fitting those who relish in strategic shifts. Phantasmal Image is an attractive competitor as well. It can copy any creature on the battlefield at a lower mana cost, but comes with the drawback of fragility, as it is destroyed when targeted by a spell or ability, a limitation Haunting Imitation cleverly circumvents.

Examining these options, it becomes clear that Haunting Imitation provides an invaluable tool for players who favor agility and surprise in their tactics, making it a noteworthy consideration for any MTG deck that wants to keep opponents guesswork at a maximum.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Mirror Image - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Mirror Image - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Haunting Imitation by color, type and mana cost

Volcanic Eruption - MTG Card versions
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Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
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Fabricate - MTG Card versions
Counsel of the Soratami - MTG Card versions
Vacuumelt - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Eruption - MTG Card versions
Timetwister - MTG Card versions
Baleful Stare - MTG Card versions
Déjà Vu - MTG Card versions
Exhaustion - MTG Card versions
Political Trickery - MTG Card versions
Time Ebb - MTG Card versions
Dream Cache - MTG Card versions
Fade Away - MTG Card versions
Tinker - MTG Card versions
Sage's Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Undo - MTG Card versions
Ingenious Mastery - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Tasha's Hideous Laughter - MTG Card versions
Reminisce - MTG Card versions
Fabricate - MTG Card versions
Counsel of the Soratami - MTG Card versions
Vacuumelt - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Haunting Imitation offers the strategic benefit of duplicating a creature’s ability, essentially doubling your potential for impact on the board, without having to commit additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: By copying a creature with mana-producing abilities, Haunting Imitation can significantly increase your mana resources, accelerating your game plan and allowing you to cast more spells faster than usual.

Instant Speed: The card’s instant speed provides flexibility, enabling you to respond to opponents’ moves at the last moment or to surprise them by copying a creature’s ability during combat or at the end of their turn for maximum effect.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Haunting Imitation necessitates the discarding of a card upon casting. This can often put you at a disadvantage, particularly if you’re already struggling with maintaining a healthy hand size. Tossing away a potentially valuable asset might mean sacrificing strategic depth or future play options.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Haunting Imitation requires both black and blue mana, which may not always be readily available. This limitation can restrict the card to decks that run these colors, possibly deterring players with different color preferences or strategies from incorporating it into their decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a sorcery that copies a creature spell, you might find the mana investment for Haunting Imitation rather steep compared to other alternatives in the game. Given the pace of modern play, investing four mana into an effect of this nature can be seen as a significant investment with a potentially delayed payoff.


Reasons to Include Haunting Imitation in Your Collection

Versatility: Haunting Imitation is a dynamic inclusion for decks that require strategic copying of creatures. It seamlessly adapts to a variety of board states, providing you with valuable flexibility during gameplay.

Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous combo opportunities by replicating key creatures’ abilities. It synergizes well with effects that rely on enter-the-battlefield triggers or benefit from having multiple instances of a particular ability on the field.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies often dominate the game, Haunting Imitation has the power to turn the tide by copying powerful enemy creatures or doubling up on your own impactful minions, making it a smart addition in a creature-centric meta.


How to beat

Haunting Imitation is a shrewd card that challenges players with its clone-like abilities, making it a versatile threat on the battlefield. Its power lies in mimicking the creatures on the field, thereby disrupting your strategy. However, dealing with Haunting Imitation effectively requires a keen understanding of timing and the right spell selection. To counteract the card, prioritize removal spells that can target any creature, regardless of its original form or abilities. Having instant-speed options, such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization, can dismantle the Haunting Imitation before it establishes a dominant presence.

An alternative strategy is to limit the creature targets available for cloning. Employing cards with hexproof can protect key creatures from being copied, or using board wipes like Wrath of God clears the field, rendering Haunting Imitation ineffective. Lastly, cards that restrict casting, like Drannith Magistrate, can prevent Haunting Imitation from even entering the fray. Adaptability is key; if you can anticipate and respond swiftly to the ever-changing threats Haunting Imitation poses, you’ll maintain control over the game’s flow.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Haunting Imitation MTG card by a specific set like Crimson Vow Commander and Crimson Vow Commander, 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 Haunting Imitation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Haunting Imitation Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Liiga Smilshkalne.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 512015NormalBlackLiiga Smilshkalne
22021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 132015NormalBlackLiiga Smilshkalne

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Haunting Imitation has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Haunting Imitation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-11-19 The revealed cards stay on the top of their owners' libraries.