In Magic The Gathering, players encounter a wide variety of abilities and keywords that affect how creatures interact in combat. One such keyword is Intimidate, a combat ability that can drastically influence blocking decisions and the flow of the game. Intimidate allows creatures to bypass certain blockers, giving attackers a unique advantage and shaping combat strategies. Understanding what Intimidate does, how it works in different scenarios, and its interactions with other abilities is essential for both new and experienced players who want to maximize their strategic options.
What is Intimidate in MTG?
Intimidate is a keyword ability that makes a creature harder to block. A creature with Intimidate can only be blocked by creatures that share a color with it or by artifact creatures. This means that a black creature with Intimidate, for example, cannot be blocked by a green or red creature unless that creature is an artifact. This ability effectively reduces the number of blockers available, allowing Intimidate creatures to deal combat damage more consistently and often catch opponents off guard.
Official Definition
The official rule for Intimidate is A creature with Intimidate can’t be blocked except by artifact creatures and creatures that share a color with it. This rule highlights the defensive limitations imposed on opponents and shows why Intimidate is considered a powerful ability in combat-focused decks. Unlike other abilities that grant evasion, Intimidate is specific in its restrictions, making it strategic rather than universally applicable.
How Intimidate Works in Gameplay
When a creature with Intimidate attacks, the defending player must follow the blocking restrictions imposed by the keyword. For example, if a blue creature has Intimidate, it can only be blocked by blue creatures or artifacts. This changes how opponents assign blockers and can influence which creatures they choose to hold back during combat. Intimidate is particularly useful in decks that aim to deal incremental damage over multiple turns, as it reduces the risk of a creature being neutralized by blockers.
Examples of Intimidate Creatures
Throughout Magic The Gathering’s history, several creatures have showcased Intimidate effectively. Examples include
- Skithiryx, the Blight DragonA powerful black creature with Intimidate that can strike opponents reliably.
- Hypnotic SpecterThis early black creature uses Intimidate to avoid most blockers while triggering additional disruptive effects.
- Dark ConfidantWhile its main focus is card advantage, creatures with Intimidate like this can complement aggressive strategies.
These examples show how Intimidate can enhance both offensive strategies and the overall synergy of a deck.
Interactions with Other Abilities
Intimidate interacts uniquely with other abilities and effects. Understanding these interactions can maximize its effectiveness
- First Strike and Double StrikeIntimidate creatures with these abilities can deal combat damage before blockers can respond, increasing the chance of successful damage output.
- DeathtouchCombining Intimidate with Deathtouch makes blocking less appealing because even if an artifact or same-color creature blocks, it risks being destroyed.
- TrampleTrample ensures that if an Intimidate creature is blocked, excess damage can still be dealt to the defending player.
By combining Intimidate with other keywords, players can create formidable threats that are difficult to stop without specific preparation.
Strategic Uses of Intimidate
Using Intimidate effectively requires understanding both offensive and defensive strategies
- In aggressive decks, Intimidate allows creatures to attack with minimal risk of being blocked, making it easier to chip away at life totals.
- Defensively, Intimidate can force opponents to make suboptimal blocks, potentially leaving their other creatures exposed to attacks.
- In multiplayer formats like Commander, Intimidate helps bypass certain opponents’ defenses, providing consistent pressure across multiple players.
Players who understand these strategic applications can maximize the value of Intimidate in their decks.
Limitations of Intimidate
While Intimidate is powerful, it is not without limitations. Its effectiveness depends on the colors of creatures your opponent controls. If an opponent has many creatures that share a color with your Intimidate creature, the evasion is reduced. Additionally, artifact creatures are unaffected by Intimidate, meaning decks with artifact-heavy strategies can bypass its advantage. Understanding these limitations is important for building decks that rely on Intimidate to deal damage consistently.
Deck Building with Intimidate
When constructing a deck around Intimidate, consider the following elements
- Focus on creatures with low mana costs to deploy threats quickly.
- Include combat-enhancing spells like pump spells to maximize damage output from Intimidate creatures.
- Consider color distribution in your deck to increase the likelihood that Intimidate creatures are harder to block.
- Include synergy cards like equipment or enchantments that boost Intimidate creatures’ stats or add abilities like Trample or Deathtouch.
By focusing on these elements, players can create decks that leverage Intimidate effectively across various formats.
Popular Formats for Intimidate
Intimidate is viable in several MTG formats, including
- CommanderEvasion is crucial in multiplayer, and Intimidate helps maintain pressure on multiple opponents.
- Legacy and VintageSome older black creatures with Intimidate remain competitive due to strong stats and synergies.
- Casual and Limited PlayIntimidate provides reliable aggression and helps in drafting or limited scenarios.
The flexibility of Intimidate across formats makes it a valuable keyword for players of all experience levels.
Intimidate is a unique and powerful keyword in Magic The Gathering that enhances a creature’s ability to bypass blockers and maintain offensive pressure. By understanding what Intimidate does, how it interacts with other abilities, and its strategic applications, players can leverage this ability to gain advantages in both casual and competitive play. While it has limitations, careful deck construction and smart gameplay can maximize its potential. For players looking to dominate combat and maintain consistent aggression, Intimidate offers a versatile and effective option that remains relevant in many MTG formats.