Imaginary Friends Plane: Mastering the Mana Curve

Imaginary Friends (Plane) card art from Secret Lair Showcase Planes

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Imaginary Friends Plane: Mastering the Mana Curve

Some MTG lovers chase the thrill of curve density the way goblins chase treasure. Others chase the art, the lore, or the thrill of a perfectly timed trick. Imaginary Friends (Plane) lands squarely in the former camp, offering a design space where your mana curve becomes a living, breathing plan rather than a static line on a deck list 🧙‍♂️. This Plane—hailing from the Secret Lair Showcase Planes—invites you to reframe how you think about casting spells, because you’re allowed to treat spells as though they were other cards with the same type and mana cost. It’s not just a gimmick; it’s a toolkit for tempo, resilience, and creative sequencing that rewards players who love optimizing every pip on the mana curve 🔥.

On a practical level, the plane’s first ability means that, if you’re drafting a deck that cares about a particular class of spells (for example, Instants or Creatures) at a given mana cost, you can improvise replacements with the same cost and type. If you’re staring at a late-game plan and you realize you need a different 3-mana instant to answer a threat, you don’t need to search your library for that exact card—you pivot to another instant that fits the same curve. The result is smoother transitions between turns and fewer dead draws when you’re trying to hold up mana for the right answer. It’s nostalgia with a modern twist, a wink to the old-school concept of “play what you can pay for” reimagined through the lens of the plane’s flexible identity 🧙‍♂️🎲.

Oracle text: Players may cast spells as though they were other cards legal in this game's format with the same type and mana cost. (Mana cost includes color.) Whenever chaos ensues, exile cards from the top of your library until you reveal a nonland card. You may cast that card without paying its mana cost, but only as another card following this plane's first ability. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.

The chaos mechanic adds a second layer of excitement and risk. When chaos erupts, you start peeling through the top of your library until you find a nonland spell that might synergize with your current plan. You’re allowed to cast that spell for free, but with the caveat that it must be treated as another card that fits the plane’s first ability. It’s a tonal mischief that can snowball into a remarkable tempo swing—think of it as opening a surprise door in the middle of a carefully laid mana ramp, where the door leads you to a spell you wouldn’t have drafted in a vacuum 🧙‍♂️⚔️.

Mana curve considerations for your build

Embrace the zero-cost potential: The plane’s zero mana cost (cmc 0) nature in practice acts as an invitation to think beyond traditional cost curves. If your deck leans into low-cost, high-reliability choices, Imaginary Friends helps you weave in extra plays when you’re counting every mana point. The art of the plane is to turn a standard two- or three-mana exchange into an alternate version of that exchange—keeping your curve fluid rather than rigid 🔥.
Rely on type-based swaps: By treating spells as if they were other cards of the same type and cost, you can reset the tempo game mid-game. For instance, swapping a 2-mana Instant for a different 2-mana Instant can keep counters up, removal ready, orThreat responses aligned with the current board state. It’s not about cheating the system so much as choreographing the rhythm of your turns so mana isn’t wasted while you prepare the big finish 🎨.
Chaos as a curve extender: The chaos reveal can fetch you a meaningful spell at a point in the game you didn’t anticipate. If you hit a crucial 3- or 4-mana option that fits your current tempo, casting it for free can bridge the gap to a win condition. The key is recognizing when a freely cast spell is better than guaranteed but costly options later in the game 🧙‍♂️.
Color identity and deck design: Since the plane’s first ability focuses on type and cost rather than color, you can design lean, color-pure curves around a given cost. In practice, this means your deck can be more adaptable—especially in casual formats where you’re less constrained by strict color requirements and more focused on what to cast when the plane allows it ⚔️.

Deck ideas you can actually test at your kitchen table

Consider mono-colored or two-color shells that prize efficient spells at common mana costs. A blue-centric plan, for example, can lean on instants and cantrips that fit the same cost slot but offer different answers or card draw, while a green ramp deck can lean on efficient ramp spells of the same cost family (you’re swapping to the best fit for the moment). Imaginary Friends rewards players who think ahead about the order in which you draw your answers and threats, because the plane’s rules encourage you to adapt on the fly while staying within a coherent mana curve 🧙‍♂️🎲.

From a lore and art perspective, the plane’s playful energy shines. Jeannie L. Paske’s artwork captures that sense of whimsy and misdirection that matches the card’s mechanical vibe—an invitation to think outside the box while you’re seated across the table from a rival planeswalker in your own living room. The Secret Lair border and the “Showcase Planes” branding add collectible flavor, turning this into a centerpiece for both gameplay nights and display-worthy MTG chatter 🎨💎.

Speaking of display, if you’re a fan of vivid desk companions, the Neon Card Holder Phone Case—Glossy Matte Finish offers a stylish way to carry your deck-building energy with you. It’s a nod to the planeswalker-tier aesthetic we all love while keeping your everyday accessories secure and sleek. Ready for a little tabletop fashion with your next tournament or casual night? That’s the kind of crossover magic this piece aims to deliver 🧙‍♂️🎲.

Product note: Imaginary Friends (Plane) comes from the Secret Lair Showcase Planes set, a memorabilia-focused release that carries a gold border and a sense of exclusivity. It’s a card that plays beautifully with a player’s sense of style and strategic willingness to experiment, even if it’s not standard-legal in most formats. The rarity is listed as common, and the card is nonfoil, which makes it accessible to many collectors and players who enjoy a low-barrier entry into a flavorful plane that invites creative play 🧩.

For fans who crave cross-promotion and a touch of everyday MTG flair, the product link below is a nice bridge between card gaming and lifestyle accessories. The synergy between planning a mana curve and choosing a desk-friendly accessory can elevate your hobby nights from routine to memorable.

Ready to explore more conversations beyond the stack? Dive into these reads and see how designers and players alike are shaping the future of MTG storytelling and strategy 🔥🎨.

Neon Card Holder Phone Case – Glossy Matte Finish