Clever Impersonator

Clever Impersonator was originally released as a mythic rare creature in the 2014 Magic: The Gathering set Khans of Tarkir. This specific promotional variant, numbered 34p, was distributed as a participation reward or prize for events during the set's release window. The design serves as a versatile clone effect, famously allowing the player to copy any nonland permanent on the battlefield, which represented a mechanical evolution of the traditional shapeshifter archetype in the game's broader history.

The artwork was commissioned from Polish illustrator Slawomir Maniak, who focused on capturing the essence of a shifting, ethereal entity that could mirror any form it encountered. Maniak’s work for the Wizards of the Coast art department is often characterized by a balance of high-fantasy detail and atmospheric tension. Upon its release, the card was well-received by players for its utility in competitive formats, particularly in the Commander format, where the ability to copy powerful non-creature permanents like planeswalkers or enchantments was highly valued.