Debtors' Transport MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 72
2024-01-12 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Thrull |
| Abilities | Afterlife |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Afterlife 2 (When this creature dies, create two 1/1 white and black Spirit creature tokens with flying.)
By design, the sarcophagus muffles the debtors' moans but does not silence them.
Cards like Debtors' Transport
In the ever-evolving landscape of MTG, Debtors’ Transport finds its niche among creature cards with afterlife abilities. It bears resemblance to other creatures like Orzhov Enforcer, which also provides value after death through afterlife, but with subtler impacts on the board, generating fewer tokens. Debtors’ Transport stands out with its more impressive afterlife 2 ability, ensuring you get a couple of spirit tokens upon its demise. It creates potential for strategic sacrificial plays to fortify your position with evasion-capable tokens.
Comparing further, we find Ministrant of Obligation, a card not merely parallel in afterlife value, but also in mana cost. However, Debtors’ Transport overshadows it with greater board presence and toughness, making it a sturdier obstacle before providing aerial token support. Then, there’s the resilient Imperious Oligarch, brandishing vigilant force paired with a modest afterlife ability. While Oligarch strikes fast, the sheer bulk and token generation of Debtors’ Transport can be more formidable in the late game.
While assessing these similarities and differences, Debtors’ Transport is a compelling choice for deck builders aiming for resilient board states and exploiting death-triggered mechanics in MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Debtors’ Transport can significantly improve your board presence by returning to the battlefield with the afterlife ability, effectively creating a new token creature which can further your strategies and offer more options in the late game.
Resource Acceleration: While Debtors’ Transport doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its afterlife ability ensures that even after being dealt with, it leaves behind a resource in the form of a 1/1 white and black Spirit creature token with flying, providing you with an additional asset for future turns.
Instant Speed: Although Debtors’ Transport itself does not function at instant speed, it can have synergy with cards that operate at instant speed. This allows you to strategize around your opponent’s moves and potentially surprise them with unforeseen blocking capabilities or sacrifice triggers during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Debtors’ Transport, having to discard a card isn’t a drawback directly associated with the card’s use. However, managing graveyard resources is critical because Debtors’ Transport has Afterlife 2, and without proper setup, its death may not yield the best value.
Specific Mana Cost: Debtors’ Transport requires a specific mana allocation of one black, one white, and four generic mana, which can sometimes be restrictive. This can be challenging in decks that are not heavily focused on an Orzhov (black/white) mana base or in multicolored decks where the mana could be better allocated.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Six mana for a card that offers Afterlife 2 may not always align with an efficient mana curve, especially when considering the currently available pool of creatures in MTG. There are potentially more impactful plays at this cost, leading some to bypass Debtors’ Transport in favor of creatures with immediate board presence or lower-costed creatures that offer similar or better long-term advantages.
Reasons to Include Debtors’ Transport in Your Collection
Versatility: Debtors’ Transport can be incorporated into a diverse array of black-based decks. Its Afterlife ability provides additional value upon death, making it viable in decks that profit from creature sacrifices or those aiming to increase their spirit token count.
Combo Potential: This card’s Afterlife 2 ability synergizes well with strategies leveraging creature deaths. You can combine it with cards that trigger upon token creation or benefit from creatures leaving the battlefield to unlock new tactical avenues.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where the board is often cluttered with creatures, Debtors’ Transport serves as a persistent threat that leaves behind resources even after it’s dealt with, potentially tipping the scales during gridlocks and attrition wars.
How to beat
Debtors’ Transport stands as a formidable force with its afterlife ability, which, upon its demise, summons spirit tokens to the field. While it boasts resilience, overcoming this card requires a strategic approach. Employ removal spells that exile, such as “Path to Exile”, to prevent token generation altogether. This uproots the card’s advantage of leaving something behind on the battlefield.
Alternatively, managing battlefield threats through counterspells negates its casting entirely. Using counters like “Negate” or “Dissolve” can effectively thwart this creature’s attempts to influence the board. Additionally, employing enchantments or artifacts that suppress graveyard-based abilities or token generation can diminish Debtors’ Transport’s impact, ensuring it becomes a non-factor in your opponent’s strategy.
Ultimately, sidestepping this MTG card’s persistent presence is about preempting its afterlife trigger. Through targeted exile, countermagic, or graveyard nullification, players can defuse the lurking threat and maintain control of the game’s pace and direction without mere combat confrontation.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Debtors' Transport MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Debtors' Transport 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 Debtors' Transport Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Jakub Kasper.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Debtors' Transport 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Debtors' Transport card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | Because blockers are chosen all at once, you can’t block with a creature with afterlife, wait for it to die, then block with the resulting Spirit tokens. |