Imprint
Imprint is an ability word that was introduced in Mirrodin as a keyword ability, then reintroduced in Scars of Mirrodin as an ability word. Some abilities associated with the imprint ability word are triggered, commonly by entering the battlefield; and some are activated abilities, but both exile cards from some zone. Prior to the reintroduction of imprint as an ability word in Scars of Mirrodin, this was referred to as "imprinting" that card. Imprint was an artifact-centric keyword then ability word until the release of New Phyrexia where it saw use on colored cards. Imprint was featured as rules card 4 of 5 in the Scars of Mirrodin set and as rules card 2 of 5 in the Mirrodin Besieged set.
From the ()
Rulings
- Each permanent with an imprint ability also has an ability that refers to the "exiled card(s)." These two abilities are linked. The second ability refers only to cards exiled as a result of the imprint ability, not by any other ability.
- If all cards exiled by an imprint ability somehow leave the exile zone, or if a card isn't exiled by an optional imprint ability, or if the ability failed to exile a card because it was countered, then it is possible for an imprint ability to have no exiled card to refer to. In this case, the linked ability associated with the imprint ability has no card values to refer to and will only do as much as possible. It may do nothing at all.
- If a permanent with an imprint ability leaves the battlefield and then returns to the battlefield, it is a new object. It has no association with any cards it exiled during its previous existence.
Examples
Color percentages
There is a total of 23 cards that involve imprint, which divide by color as such:
- Artifact = 88 %
- Blue = 4 %
- Red = 4 %
- White = 4 %