Incriminating Impetus is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Enchant creature When this Aura enters, suspect enchanted creature. (It has menace and can't block.) Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and is goaded. (It attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.)
Complete guide
Incriminating Impetus is a versatile Aura that combines aggression with battlefield control by forcing your opponent's creatures into the fray. By suspecting the enchanted creature, it grants a boost in power while ensuring it can no longer stand in your way on defense.
What It Does
Incriminating Impetus enchants a creature and immediately suspects it as it enters the battlefield. This gives the creature menace and prevents it from blocking indefinitely. Furthermore, the Aura grants the creature +2/+2 and ensures it is goaded, meaning it must attack each turn if possible, and it must target a player other than you if there is one available.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, you cast the spell targeting a creature on the battlefield. Upon resolution, Incriminating Impetus enters and its triggered ability goes on the stack to suspect the enchanted creature. Once that trigger resolves, the creature gains the 'suspected' status, granting it menace and the inability to block. Simultaneously, the static effects of the Aura apply, providing the power/toughness buff and the goaded requirement.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that the suspected status is tied to the Aura staying on the battlefield. While the +2/+2 and goad effects end if Incriminating Impetus is destroyed, the 'suspected' status persists until the creature leaves the battlefield or another effect specifically removes it. Additionally, remember that being suspected is not a copiable value; if a player copies the enchanted creature, the copy will not have menace or the block restriction unless it is also suspected.
When to Play It
This card is best utilized on a high-value utility creature or a large threat controlled by an opponent. By making the creature suspected and goaded, you prevent your opponent from using it as a blocker while forcing them to chip away at your other opponents' life totals with a buffed-up menace attacker.
Interaction examples
Black Market ConnectionsIf you use Black Market Connections to create a 3/2 Shapeshifter token, you can then enchant it with Incriminating Impetus. The token becomes a 5/4 with menace and must attack your opponents. If you used this on your own creature, the goad effect still applies, but since you are the controller, it simply must attack someone else if possible.
Phyrexian ArenaWhile Phyrexian Arena provides card advantage, Incriminating Impetus can be used on an opponent's creature to ensure they cannot use that creature to protect their life total. Even if the opponent destroys Incriminating Impetus later, the creature remains suspected, meaning it still cannot block the attacks you send their way.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Incriminating Impetus
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
When an effect suspects a creature, it becomes suspected. It gains menace and "This creature can't block" for as long as it's suspected. It stays suspected until it leaves the battlefield or another effect causes it to no longer be suspected.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a suspected creature loses all abilities, it will lose menace and "This creature can't block", but it won't stop being suspected.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Being suspected isn't a copiable value. If a permanent becomes a copy of a suspected creature, it won't be suspected.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature is already suspected, suspecting it again won't have any effect.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
There's no limit to the number of creatures that can be suspected simultaneously. Suspecting a new creature doesn't cause other creatures to stop being suspected.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Incriminating Impetus
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.