Debilitating Injury MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 68
2002-06-24 - Number 55765
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -2/-2.
"If weakness does not exist within the Temur then we shall force it upon them." —Sidisi, khan of the Sultai
Cards like Debilitating Injury
Debilitating Injury is an intriguing black enchantment aura in Magic: The Gathering that nestles into the broad category of creature debuff cards. It affixes to creatures to diminish their power and toughness, similar to cards like Dead Weight. Both cards provide a straightforward way to weaken opponent creatures, but Debilitating Injury has the added nuance of inflicting two -1/-1 counters, instead of giving just a static -2/-2 like Dead Weight. These counters remain on the creature permanently, even if Debilitating Injury is later removed, offering a longer-lasting impact.
Another parallel can be drawn to Lignify, which also transforms opposing threats, but it turns a creature into a harmless 0/4 Treefolk with no abilities. While not directly reducing power and toughness, Lignify effectively neutralizes formidable creatures, trading a total shutdown for the versatility found in -1/-1 counters of Debilitating Injury. Grasp of Darkness is another potent spell in this group, providing a substantial -4/-4 until end of turn. It’s a swift and potent answer, contrasting with the enduring, but less drastic effect of Debilitating Injury.
Comparing these alternatives showcases Debilitating Injury’s unique position in the MTG universe, providing a persistent solution to troublesome creatures that a few other cards can match in durability and impact over time.
Cards similar to Debilitating Injury by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Debilitating Injury aids in the strategy of attrition, effectively diminishing an opponent’s resources. Applying it to an opponent’s creature can lead to advantageous trades or removal of threat without losing card value yourself.
Resource Acceleration: While Debilitating Injury doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration, it helps in preserving your life total, potentially staving off defeat and giving you more turns to draw into your powerful spells or game-winning combos.
Instant Speed: Although not at instant speed, the enchantment’s low mana cost allows flexibility in your play, enabling you to develop your board presence while still holding mana for other critical plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Debilitating Injury doesn’t directly demand discarding, but it can indirectly lead to card disadvantage. If you use it over more impactful removal, you might be forced to discard other key pieces later as they become less useful in the face of stronger creatures.
Specific Mana Cost: Despite being fairly mana flexible, Debilitating Injury requires one black mana. This can be slightly restrictive, primarily if you are running a deck with a very tight or demanding mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana, one of which is black, might seem modest, the reality is that Debilitating Injury deals with small threats only. In a game where the board can quickly escalate beyond what -2/-2 can handle, those two mana could be invested in more universally impactful cards.
Reasons to Include Debilitating Injury in Your Collection
Versatility: Debilitating Injury holds value in its ability to be included in various types of decks. It’s particularly effective in those that focus on early disruption, allowing you to manage potential threats by weakening creatures as soon as they hit the board.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that capitalize on -1/-1 counters. It can be synergized with proliferate mechanics or used to satisfy the conditions for cards that benefit from opponents having weakened creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive creature-based strategies, Debilitating Injury offers an inexpensive way to hinder your opponent’s momentum. It can be a useful inclusion to combat decks that rely heavily on small, quickly deployed threats.
How to beat
Debilitating Injury is an enchantment aura card that can nuisance a player’s battlefield by weakening a creature upon arrival. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to prepare strategies that neutralize or bypass its effect. Firstly, consider including cards in your deck that can remove enchantments, returning your creatures to their full strength. Look for instant-speed removal spells which can dispose of Debilitating Injury before it cripples your key creature, maintaining your board presence.
Another approach is to utilize hexproof or shroud abilities, protecting your creatures from being targeted by such auras in the first place. Moreover, having counter spells at the ready ensures you can stop Debilitating Injury from resolving. Creatures with indestructible or regeneration abilities also disrupt the effectiveness of this card, as they can survive the stat reduction and continue to be a threat.
Ultimately, versatility and preparation are crucial. By having a plan to deal with auras that target creatures, you can preserve your board and keep your most valuable assets in play, diminishing the impact of cards like Debilitating Injury on your strategy in Magic the Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Debilitating Injury MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Khans of Tarkir, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Debilitating Injury and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Debilitating Injury Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2014-09-26. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 55765 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | ||
| 2 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Debilitating Injury has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |