Reparations MTG Card


Reparations - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Number278
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDouglas Shuler

Key Takeaways

  1. Reparations provides card advantage by turning opponent actions into opportunities for card draw.
  2. It’s a specifc-cost enchantment enhancing certain control strategies while limiting deck inclusion.
  3. In a meta with targeted removal, it shines by dissuading opponents from targeting your cards.

Text of card

Whenever target opponent successfully casts a spell that targets you or a creature you control, you may draw a card.

"Sorry I burned down your village. Here's some gold."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reparations offers a steady source of card draw whenever a spell targets one of your permanents. This continuous replenishment is a potent method of maintaining hand superiority against opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, the advantage gained through card draw can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by finding you the necessary lands or ramp spells to accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed: Its enchantment nature means that it’s always “on,” effectively deterring opponents from targeting your assets or risking handing over card advantage to you, similar to an instant’s flexibility in managing resources during gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of the Reparations card is that it doesn’t directly cause any discard. This means relying solely on this card won’t help trim an opponent’s hand, a method often crucial in controlling the pace of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Reparations calls for a specific mana combination to play. Requiring both blue and white mana, it is somewhat restrictive, potentially fitting into fewer decks and necessitating a more measured mana base to reliably cast it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its three-mana cost, including one white and one blue, it’s comparatively high, considering it’s an enchantment that reacts to other cards being destroyed. In the fast-paced modern gameplay, there are alternatives that protect or counter threats at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Reparations in Your Collection

Versatility: Reparations lends itself to various control strategies, fitting into decks that aim to discourage opponents from targeting your spells or permanents with its unique deterrent effect.

Combo Potential: This card meshes well with decks engineered to take advantage of its trigger. It can complement strategies that protect valuable creatures or important enchantments, turning any removal your opponents use into a draw engine for you.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where targeted removal is prevalent, Reparations shines by providing continuous card advantage. This can be especially relevant against decks that rely on pinpoint disruption to dismantle their opponent’s board state.


How to beat

Reparations is a unique enchantment within the Magic: The Gathering universe, known for its ability to turn an opponent’s aggression to your advantage by drawing a card whenever a source you don’t control deals damage to you or a permanent you control. This unusual defensive strategy can be a thorn in the side of aggressive decks that rely on constant pressure.

To outplay this card, a proactive approach that focuses on non-damage based removal of enchantments is vital. Consider using cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which can directly target and destroy enchantments without triggering Reparations’ card draw ability. Planning your strategy also involves patience; wait to deal damage until you can safely remove Reparations from the battlefield. In games where counterplay is essential, keep spells that can counter enchantments or search your library for necessary answers at the ready. This way, the temporary setback Reparations presents becomes a minor delay rather than a game-deciding obstacle.

While Reparations can offer a strategic edge in the right deck, understanding its mechanics and preparing your deck with appropriate answers ensures that you maintain control of the game, even when facing seemingly discouraging cards.


Cards like Reparations

Reparations is an intriguing enchantment in MTG that offers a unique form of redress when an opponent’s spell or ability targets something you control — you get to draw a card. This places it in a niche category alongside other cards that turn detrimental situations to your advantage. One such card is Rhystic Study, which doesn’t directly protect your permanents but provides a consistent card draw mechanism whenever opponents cast spells, unless they pay extra mana for it.

Conversely, there’s Compost, which rewards you with card draw, but only upon the condition of black cards hitting the graveyard. While not as widely applicable as Rhystic Study, in a meta with heavy black presence, Compost can be an unexpected boon. Compared to Reparations, however, it does rely more on the opponents’ actions than on targeted interaction. Then there’s the comparable Imp’s Mischief, which can change the targets of spells or abilities but doesn’t provide the card draw benefit. It does offer more tactical flexibility to disrupt opponents’ plans, at a cost.

Ultimately, while Reparations doesn’t directly prevent the actions of your opponents, its ability to provide card advantage while deterring targeted strategies contributes to its subtle strength in the right MTG environment.

Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Imp's Mischief - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - Prophecy (PCY)
Compost - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Imp's Mischief - Planar Chaos (PLC)

Cards similar to Reparations by color, type and mana cost

Chromatic Armor - MTG Card versions
Spectral Shield - MTG Card versions
Arenson's Aura - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Care - MTG Card versions
Plumes of Peace - MTG Card versions
Steel of the Godhead - MTG Card versions
Ardent Plea - MTG Card versions
Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions
Ephara's Enlightenment - MTG Card versions
Invocation of Saint Traft - MTG Card versions
Lawmage's Binding - MTG Card versions
Dovin's Acuity - MTG Card versions
High Alert - MTG Card versions
The Raven's Warning - MTG Card versions
Niko Defies Destiny - MTG Card versions
Moderation - MTG Card versions
A-Brine Comber // A-Brinebound Gift - MTG Card versions
Brine Comber // Brinebound Gift - MTG Card versions
Pull of the Mist Moon - MTG Card versions
Invasion of Theros // Ephara, Ever-Sheltering - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Armor - Ice Age (ICE)
Spectral Shield - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Arenson's Aura - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Teferi's Care - Invasion (INV)
Plumes of Peace - Dissension (DIS)
Steel of the Godhead - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)
Ardent Plea - The List (PLST)
Detention Sphere - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Ephara's Enlightenment - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Invocation of Saint Traft - Shadows over Innistrad Promos (PSOI)
Lawmage's Binding - The List (PLST)
Dovin's Acuity - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
High Alert - The List (PLST)
The Raven's Warning - Kaldheim Promos (PKHM)
Niko Defies Destiny - Kaldheim (KHM)
Moderation - Modern Horizons 2 Promos (PMH2)
A-Brine Comber // A-Brinebound Gift - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Brine Comber // Brinebound Gift - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Pull of the Mist Moon - Alchemy: Dominaria (YDMU)
Invasion of Theros // Ephara, Ever-Sheltering - March of the Machine (MOM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reparations MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Reparations and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reparations has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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