Kambal, Consul of Allocation MTG Card


Kambal excels in gaining incremental advantages by penalizing opponents for noncreature spells. Resource acceleration via Kambal’s tax may discourage opponents, leading to advantageous plays. Despite mana cost constraints, Kambal’s unique abilities justify his inclusion in strategic decks.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Advisor
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell, that player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.

He has "friends" in places both high and low, and all seem to owe him favors.


Cards like Kambal, Consul of Allocation

Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Kambal, Consul of Allocation makes for a compelling case as an effective life and tax deterrent. When looking at cards with similar impact, Authority of the Consuls quickly springs to mind. This enchantment slows opponents down by tapping their creatures when they enter the battlefield, plus it offers a consistent little lifegain. Unlike Kambal, it leans more on control than directly impacting the spells your opponents cast.

Another comparison can be drawn with Tymna the Weaver. Tymna allows for card advantage through life payments, providing a different take on using life as a resource. While Tymna offers card draw for life rather than life gain for opponent’s actions, the synergy with Kambal is undeniable, as both cards have a taxation angle that strategically intersects.

Considering these comparisons, Kambal stands out with its consistent ability to punish noncreature spells. The unique life-gaining aspect tacked on to its taxing effect places it solidly as a card that disrupts opponents and sustains your resources, showcasing its distinct posture in player strategies.

Authority of the Consuls - MTG Card versions
Tymna the Weaver - MTG Card versions
Authority of the Consuls - MTG Card versions
Tymna the Weaver - MTG Card versions

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Kunoros, Hound of Athreos - MTG Card versions
Greasefang, Okiba Boss - MTG Card versions
Edgewalker - MTG Card versions
Teysa, Orzhov Scion - MTG Card versions
Souls of the Faultless - MTG Card versions
Orzhov Pontiff - MTG Card versions
Necrotic Sliver - MTG Card versions
Stillmoon Cavalier - MTG Card versions
Gwyllion Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Scholar of Athreos - MTG Card versions
Restless Apparition - MTG Card versions
Blood-Cursed Knight - MTG Card versions
Drana's Emissary - MTG Card versions
Daxos the Returned - MTG Card versions
Pious Evangel // Wayward Disciple - MTG Card versions
Tymna the Weaver - MTG Card versions
Unraveling Mummy - MTG Card versions
Vizkopa Vampire - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kambal, Consul of Allocation. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color ControlFive-color Control PioneerNiv to LightDalamsterskapet Pioneer 2023
Five-color HumansFive-color Humans Vintage2023 NA Vintage Champs

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kambal Consul of Allocation shines in scenarios where gaining incremental advantage is key. Each time an opponent casts a noncreature spell, they are not only losing life but effectively handing you an edge in the race to deplete life totals, mimicking card advantage by dictating the pace and flow of the match.

Resource Acceleration: While Kambal himself doesn’t directly produce mana, the life loss he imposes can accelerate your strategy indirectly. Opponents may hesitate or alter their plays to avoid the taxation, which can buy you crucial turns to develop your board and access the resources you need to implement your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Kambal operates at sorcery speed, his ability affects the game at instant speed. Every instant and sorcery your opponent throws your way triggers Kambal’s ability, ensuring that even on their turn, you’re accumulating advantages. This constant threat acts as a deterrent, often making opponents second-guess their strategies on the fly, which can lead to mistakes or suboptimal plays for them.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kambal, Consul of Allocation doesn’t directly require discarding cards, his presence in a deck can lead to scenarios where you’re forced to make tough decisions on resource allocation, potentially discarding valuable cards to make room for answers to your opponent’s threats.

Specific Mana Cost: Kambal’s casting cost requires one white and one black mana, making him a commitment to a two-color deck archetype. This restricts his integration solely to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana, thereby limiting his flexibility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Kambal may come into play later than other proactive two-mana drops. In fast-paced games, this can be a significant setback as players might prefer early plays that affect the board immediately or set up for more aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kambal, Consul of Allocation offers a unique form of passive control that slots into various colour-combined decks. His ability to drain opponents for casting noncreature spells is an asset in decks that aim to slow the game pace or deter opponents from executing their strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works excellently with life gain strategies, enabling combos with cards that react to life point changes. Kambal’s consistent life-draining ability also synergizes with cards that get stronger or provide benefits each time you gain life.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with noncreature spells, Kambal becomes an exceedingly valuable piece, punishing decks that rely heavily on instants, sorceries, and other noncreature spells to prevail, thus altering the flow of play in your favor.


How to Beat Kambal, Consul of Allocation

Kambal, Consul of Allocation is a card that can quickly turn the tides of a Magic: The Gathering match in your opponent’s favor. Known for its taxing ability, it makes casting noncreature spells costly by draining life each time one is cast. Tackling Kambal requires tactical play, prioritizing removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to dispatch him swiftly before his taxing effect can severely impact your life total.

Direct damage spells, such as Lightning Bolt, also prove effective, provided you can balance the life loss with your strategy. It’s also beneficial to employ creatures with abilities that neutralize or bypass Kambal’s taxing, such as those with hexproof or indestructible qualities. Utilizing such strategies diminishes Kambal’s influence and preserves your life total, ensuring your deck can function without constantly being drained by this formidable adversary.

Overcoming Kambal ultimately lies in a strategy that either avoids triggering his ability or removes him from the battlefield immediately. Keep in stride with these tactics, and Kambal, Consul of Allocation won’t stand a chance at derailing your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Kambal, Consul of Allocation is crucial in optimizing your MTG deck. This unique card offers a blend of control and incremental lifegain, acting as a hindrance to opponents relying on noncreature spells. His particular skill set fits into various strategic frameworks, especially if the current meta is spell-heavy. While he does come with certain limitations, the potential benefits of including Kambal in your lineup can be substantial. Keen to discover how Kambal could shift the dynamics of your gameplay or seeking to explore synergies that can amplify his effect? Dive deeper with us to master the art of allocation and take your MTG experience to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kambal, Consul of Allocation MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh Promos and Kaladesh, 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 Kambal, Consul of Allocation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kambal, Consul of Allocation Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 183s2015NormalBlackVincent Proce
22016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1832015NormalBlackVincent Proce
32020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 1982015NormalBlackVincent Proce
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2372015NormalBlackVincent Proce
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5132015NormalBlackVincent Proce

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kambal, Consul of Allocation has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kambal, Consul of Allocation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-09-20 A noncreature spell is a spell that isn't a creature at all. An artifact creature spell isn't a noncreature spell. Lands are never spells.
2016-09-20 Kambal's ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger.