Imprint

Imprint is a mechanic that was introduced in Mirrodin as a keyword ability. It was updated as an ability word in Magic 2010 rules, and thus then officially reintroduced in Scars of Mirrodin.

Description
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. All cards with imprint are permanents, and all have a second ability that refer to the exiled card in some respect. Prior to the introduction of exile as a term in Magic 2010, this was referred to as "imprinting" that card, so when Imprint returned in Scars of Mirrodin, the previous cards received errata to refer to the exiled card.

Imprint was an artifact-centric keyword / ability word until the release of New Phyrexia where it saw use on three colored cards.

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.

Rules
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Notable cards with imprint

 * Chrome Mox
 * Duplicant
 * Isochron Scepter
 * Mimic Vat

Trivia

 * 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.