Debtor's Pulpit MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Number	10
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	James Paick

Key Takeaways

Offers a recurrent source of control, outpacing single-use removal spells in long games.
Activated at instant speed, it grants players strategic flexibility and tactical edges.
While potent, the five-mana investment may deter some players from including it in fast-paced decks.

Text of card

Enchant land Enchanted land has ": Tap target creature."

"You may not be able to pay. But you can still kneel." —Milana, Orzhov prelate

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Debtor’s Pulpit offers a unique form of card advantage by transforming one card into a continuous source of creature control. Unlike one-time removal spells, this card remains on the battlefield ready to disable new threats turn after turn. It’s a card that keeps on giving in prolonged matches, especially in control decks.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration like fast mana artefacts, Debtor’s Pulpit nonetheless indirectly promotes your mana utilization efficiency. By tapping potential attackers or key blockers, it can change the tempo of the game, altering the dynamics of resource contestation on the board.

Instant Speed: The activation ability of Debtor’s Pulpit can be used at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility. With the capability to tap opponents’ creatures during the combat or at the end of their turn, it offers a reactive tool that can influence opponents’ decisions and surprise moves, similar to the tactical advantages provided by instant spells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Debtor’s Pulpit doesn’t have a discard clause, it does have a heavy investment mechanic that can be cumbersome. In games where you’re drawing just the right amount of land and need all your resources, having to tap an additional creature each turn to use Debtor’s Pulpit’s ability could set you back, especially when facing resource denial strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Debtor’s Pulpit requires a dedicated white mana. For players running multicolored decks, this can lead to consistency issues where you may not have the right mana at the right time, hindering your board development and possibly leaving you at a disadvantage when you need to respond to threats promptly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including one white, Debtor’s Pulpit is often perceived as a steep investment for its effect. Given that MTG boasts a wide array of removal spells and enchantments that are less mana intensive, players might opt for alternatives that provide a more immediate and less costly impact on the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Debtor’s Pulpit offers a flexible control tool, able to lock down any creature on the board, making it a useful addition to any white or control-oriented deck looking to manage the battlefield effectively.

Combo Potential: This card works well in synergy with tap/untap mechanics, allowing for potential combos that can repeatedly neutralize key creatures your opponents might deploy, thus complementing a strategic lockdown approach.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where large, threatening creatures dominate, Debtor’s Pulpit serves as a persistent and recurring solution to immobilize those threats, maintaining its relevance and utility in various competitive environments.

How to Beat Debtor’s Pulpit

Debtor’s Pulpit presents a unique challenge within the realm of control cards in Magic: The Gathering. This card can tap any creature, potentially neutralizing the most formidable threats on the battlefield. Despite its appeal in long-term board control, players can devise strategies to overcome its effects. One straightforward approach is to clean the board with removal spells that can target enchantments directly, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, dismantling the Debtor’s Pulpit before it becomes a nuisance.

Another tactic would involve the use of hexproof or shroud-enchanted creatures, rendering them impervious to the Pulpit’s ability. Additionally, cards that can untap your creatures or grant them vigilance ensure that they remain active and ready despite the Pulpit’s attempt to keep them at bay. Moreover, playing around the Pulpit’s restrictions by using an aggressive, fast-paced strategy puts pressure on the opponent, leaving little room for them to effectively utilize their enchantment.

Ultimately, understanding your deck’s strengths and possible answers to Debtor’s Pulpit is crucial. While it can be a thorn in any player’s side, the right combination of strategy and responses renders this enchantment manageable.

Cards like Debtor's Pulpit

Debtor’s Pulpit is an interesting card that offers a unique approach to controlling the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It falls into a group of cards that bring immobilization to the forefront, akin to the well-established Arrest. Like Debtor’s Pulpit, Arrest is known for neutralizing opposing creatures but without the flexibility of actuation each turn. Debtor’s Pulpit excels with its ability to repetitively tap a creature, not just preventing it from attacking or blocking but also disabling activated abilities that require tapping.

Gideon’s Lawkeeper is another card with similarity, presenting the option to tap a target creature for a single white mana. While not a permanent, its effect can be used multiple times as long as the cost can be paid, providing a less restrictive mana investment in comparison to Debtor’s Pulpit. Lastly, the classic Pacifism must also be noted; it straightforwardly stops a creature from attacking or blocking, which is uncomplicated yet effective. Nevertheless, this lack of versatility is where Debitor’s Pulpit distinguishes itself, offering ongoing control each turn.

Upon examining these cards side by side, Debtor’s Pulpit stands out for giving players a consistent tool to manage the flow of combat and creature abilities, making it a strategic asset in any deck prioritizing control.

Cards similar to Debtor's Pulpit by color, type and mana cost

Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions

Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Debtor's Pulpit MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Debtor's Pulpit and other MTG cards: