: You may copy the exiled card. If you do, you may cast the copy without paying its mana cost.
in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.Isochron Scepter turns a cheap instant from your hand into a repeatable effect. When it enters, you may exile an instant with mana value two or less; later, paying two mana and tapping the artifact lets you copy that card and cast the copy without paying its mana cost. The right imprint can provide recurring interaction, card selection, or a dedicated combo engine.
Counterspell and Swords to Plowshares are straightforward choices in decks with the appropriate colors. They let the Scepter threaten the same type of answer repeatedly, though you still need legal targets and enough mana to activate it. Choosing an imprint should reflect the board and your deck's needs rather than assuming the most powerful card in hand is always the best repeatable effect.
Dramatic Reversal creates a well-known loop when your nonland mana sources can pay for the activation. The copied spell untaps the Scepter and those sources. Producing more than two mana per cycle creates surplus mana; producing exactly two merely sustains the activations. A payoff is still needed to convert repetition or extra mana into a win.
Imprinting commits an additional card to the artifact, so removal can cost you both resources. Avoid exposing the Scepter without a useful activation plan. Also remember that the imprint condition checks mana value, and the artifact's permission does not automatically pay additional costs required by the copied spell.
