Debt to the Kami MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2022-02-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| Set code | NEO |
| Number | 92 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jodie Muir |
Text of card
Choose one — • Target opponent exiles a creature they control. • Target opponent exiles an enchantment they control.
The masters weren't speaking figuratively when they said guilt could be all-consuming.
Cards like Debt to the Kami
Debt to the Kami emerges as an enthralling option for players seeking control within the Spirits strategy in Magic: The Gathering. This card shares common ground with Spirit spells like Kami’s Flare, which also interacts with the Spirit theme by providing an effect that requires you to control a Spirit or Arcane card. Nonetheless, Debt to the Kami offers a unique twist, ensuring opponent’s creatures are sacrificed, thus controlling the board state.
In comparison, Blessed Breath, another instant within this thematic category, protects your creatures with its Spirit-linked ability, however, it doesn’t offer the opponent-disrupting capability that Debt to the Kami does. Rend Flesh finds a spot in this comparison as well; it is a removal spell like Debt to the Kami, but strictly destroys a non-Spirit creature, thus lacking the potential wide-reaching impact of coercing multiple sacrifices from the opponent.
Breaking down their utilities, Debt to the Kami stands out in the Spirit-centric MTG deck builds. Its ability to disrupt multiple enemy lines gives it an edge over singular target removals or protective spells, suggesting its significance in strategic elimination and board control in Magic: The Gathering gameplay.
Cards similar to Debt to the Kami by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Debt to the Kami. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | Holiday Night Magic | |
 | WB | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024 | |
 | UB Terror | Pauper | Dimir Control | Tappa LP Comense Pauperissima "Road to Milano" @Magic Akiba |
 | UB Control | Pauper | Poznańska Liga Paupera Winter 2023 #4 | |
| Dimir Faeries | Pauper | Dimir Faeries | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 2^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
 | Dimir Control | Pauper | Dimir Control | Lega Pauper Perugia - Tappa#4 - Road To Paupergeddon Milano 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Debt to the Kami offers an intriguing dynamic where it can potentially disrupt your opponent’s board, especially if they’re reliant on enchantments or artifacts for their strategy. This creates an indirect card advantage for you as it forces your opponent to invest more resources to rebuild their strategy.
Resource Acceleration: While Debt to the Kami itself does not generate mana or treasure tokens directly, it aids in resource acceleration by potentially clearing the way for your more impactful spells. This can lead to a more efficient use of your mana each turn and smooth out your gameplay, letting you pivot into a stronger board state faster.
Instant Speed: The real versatility of Debt to the Kami is in its casting speed. Because it’s an instant, it gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn, disrupting their end-of-turn strategies, or simply waiting to see if there’s a more pressing threat that needs your attention before committing to the spell.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Debt to the Kami necessitates a player to discard a card, which can significantly hamper your hand, especially when you’re running low on cards or need to maintain options for reacting to an opponent’s moves. This cost can be tough to justify unless you’re leveraging a strategy that benefits from discard mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both white and blue mana to be played, which can present challenges in a multicolored deck that doesn’t consistently generate these two types of mana. For players running three or more colors, including Debt to the Kami might result in it being stuck in hand at inopportune moments.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits at the higher end for its effects, Debt to the Kami might not always represent the best value for resources spent, particularly when other cards could provide similar benefits for less mana. It’s potent in the right situation, but savvy players weigh its mana cost against their deck’s other requirements when building their deck to ensure smooth gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Debt to the Kami presents a unique spell that suits a variety of control and sacrifice-based strategies. Its ability to command board presence makes it adaptable to numerous deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card has a harmonious synergy with decks that capitalize on spirit and arcane spells, furthering the impact of each cast. It also assists in strategies that revolve around sacrifice or death triggers, magnifying their effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are predominant, Debt to the Kami can serve as a powerful check against opponents’ boards, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to beat
Debt to the Kami emerges as a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering with its potential to control the battlefield through the relentless creation of Spirit tokens. Unlike straightforward removal spells that eliminate a threat immediately, this card gradually accumulates value and can become overwhelming. However, strategies to outplay it include swift removal of the enchantment before it generates substantial advantage or deploying cards that can efficiently wipe out multiple tokens, such as board-clear spells. Additionally, focusing on cards that are immune to or benefit from sacrifice effects allow players to navigate around Debt to the Kami’s impact.
Enchantment destruction spells should be kept at the ready when facing a deck with potential Debt to the Kami inclusions. Efficient enchantment removal like Naturalize or Disenchant, played at the opportune moment, can disrupt the opponents’ game plan. Also, employing cards with hexproof or indestructible characteristics minimizes the influence of forced sacrifice, ensuring your key creatures remain on the field. Selective sacrifice outlets that you control, such as cards with an edict effect, permit sacrifice of less crucial creatures while sparing your valuable ones. Strategy and preparedness are therefore essential in effectively neutralizing the threat posed by Debt to the Kami.
Therefore, understanding the dynamics of this enchantment and having the right counters within reach makes the battle against Debt to the Kami a manageable challenge, preserving your board state and maintaining control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Debt to the Kami MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Debt to the Kami 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Debt to the Kami has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |