Bold ImpalerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Bold Impaler is a one-mana red creature with a built-in activated ability. By paying two generic and one red mana, you can increase its power by +2 until the end of the current turn. This ability does not have a 'once per turn' restriction, meaning if you have the mana available, you can activate it multiple times to turn this small creature into a massive attacker.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you must have priority to activate the ability, usually during your combat phase. Second, you pay the cost of {2}{R}; this goes on the stack and can be responded to by opponents. Finally, once the ability resolves, Bold Impaler's power increases by 2. If you activate it again before the first one resolves, or after it has resolved, the bonuses will stack (e.g., two activations grant +4/+0).

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that the bonus only applies to power, not toughness. Bold Impaler stays at 2 toughness regardless of how many times you pump it, making it vulnerable to blocking creatures with at least 2 power. Additionally, remember that the effect ends at the beginning of the cleanup step, so it won't carry over into your opponent's turn for blocking purposes.

When to Play It

This card excels in aggressive decks that need a turn-one play but want to stay relevant as the game progresses. It is best used when your opponent leaves themselves open without blockers, allowing you to dump excess mana into a single, high-damage strike. It also forces difficult blocks, as the threat of activation can represent more damage than the opponent is willing to take.

Interaction examples

Ramping for Power

Ornithopter of Paradise

You have Bold Impaler on the battlefield and tap Ornithopter of Paradise to add one red mana. You use that red mana plus two lands to activate Bold Impaler's ability. The Ornithopter provides the specific color fix or extra mana needed to threaten a 3/2 attacker as early as turn two or three.

Aggressive Pressure

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

After Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer deals combat damage and creates a Treasure token, you can sacrifice that Treasure to help pay for Bold Impaler's {2}{R} activation cost. This synergy allows you to turn the extra resources generated by your other aggressive creatures into immediate on-board damage.