Imi Statue MTG Card


Imi Statue indirectly provides card advantage by restricting opponent’s hand usage and revealing deck strategies. Its presence alters game pace, benefiting players ready for top-of-library play and stifling instant-speed strategies. Despite its mana cost, the versatile Imi Statue can be integral in control and stax strategies within the game.
Imi Statue - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Number255
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTodd Lockwood

Text of card

Players can't untap more than one artifact during their untap steps.

"Just looking at it fills me with dread . . . . Yet since it arrived, I've done little else. My blades have dulled and my business has failed, and still I cannot look away." —Keisaku, master swordmaker


Cards like Imi Statue

Imi Statue is a unique piece in the vast array of non-creature artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to artifacts such as Winter Orb, which drastically alters the game’s dynamics by restricting land untapping. Imi Statue takes a similar oppressive approach but switches the focus to spell casting, making each spell cost more for the opposition. This can hamstring opponents’ plans, particularly in the later stages of the game.

Comparatively, we see Thorn of Amethyst, another artifact that increases spell costs, except it only targets noncreature spells which makes it a bit more specialized than Imi Statue. Vryn Wingmare is a creature that offers a comparable effect to the Thorn of Amethyst, except it takes to the skies and can also serve as an offensive or defensive unit while still exerting that additional cost pressure on opponents’ noncreature spells.

Looking at these alternatives, while Imi Statue may not be a universally applicable deterrent like Winter Orb, it plays a strategic role by broadening the range of affected spells, making it valuable in games where keeping the tempo high is crucial to securing victory.

Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Thorn of Amethyst - MTG Card versions
Vryn Wingmare - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Thorn of Amethyst - MTG Card versions
Vryn Wingmare - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Imi Statue by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Gem of Becoming - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Gem of Becoming - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Imi Statue doesn’t let you draw cards directly, it is a powerful tool for disrupting your opponent’s card flow. By forcing both players to play with the top card of their library revealed and only allowing them to play those cards, Imi Statue can effectively diminish an opponent’s options and potentially provide indirect card advantage to the player who can better exploit this knowledge.

Resource Acceleration: Imi Statue is not directly associated with resource acceleration. However, by limiting an opponent’s ability to utilize their hand efficiently, it could indirectly accelerate your position in the game as you capitalize on their impeded plays.

Instant Speed: While the Imi Statue is an artifact and not an instant, the nature of its continuous effect alters the pace of the game. It benefits players who can adapt to the top-of-library playstyle and can create opportunities akin to those gained by playing at instant speed, as it disrupts opponents who rely heavily on instant-speed interactions and hidden information.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Imi Statue card necessitates discarding other cards, which may disrupt your gameplay strategy if your hand size is essential for your tactics.

Specific Mana Cost: Imi Statue’s mana cost is fixed and includes color-specific requirements, potentially reducing its flexibility across different deck types that might not align with such mana constraints.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, Imi Statue can be a tricky play in fast-paced matches where conserving mana could be critical for reacting to opponent moves.


Reasons to Include Imi Statue in Your Collection

Versatility: The Imi Statue serves as a powerful tool against decks relying heavily on non-creature spells. It can slip into control or stax strategies with ease, disrupting your opponent’s tempo and giving you the upper hand.

Combo Potential: With its ability to tax opponents’ spells, Imi Statue can be a linchpin in combos that challenge your adversaries to find answers or get locked out of the game, thus synergizing with decks that aim to deny resources.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on spell-based combo or storm decks, the Imi Statue shines as an effective countermeasure. It scales well as games progress, potentially clutching a win by hindering the opponents’ critical turns.


How to beat

Imi Statue is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can pose a real challenge for players who rely heavily on noncreature spells. This artful creation forces both players to pay an additional 3 mana to play any noncreature spell, pushing strategic decks that depend on an array of enchantments, instants, and sorceries to adapt quickly or face a mana chokehold.

To effectively outmaneuver the restrictive aura of Imi Statue, it’s crucial for players to focus on creature-based tactics. Deploying low-cost creatures, utilizing abilities that don’t require casting spells, or bringing in artifact removal tools from your sideboard can help neutralize this statue’s stifling impact on your game plan. Relying more on lands that generate multiple mana or creatures that can act as mana sources will ensure that your deck still functions smoothly under the weight of this impeding artifact. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Disenchant, which can directly target and destroy artifacts, are especially valuable when Imi Statue stands in the way of victory. Having a game plan before this piece of art hits the battlefield is as crucial as it is rewarding when it’s turned to rubble thanks to your preparedness.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Imi Statue MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Imi Statue and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Imi Statue has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal