Neko-Te MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Number | 155 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Text of card
Whenever equipped creature deals damage to a creature, tap that creature. As long as Neko-Te remains in play, that creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step. Whenever equipped creature deals damage to a player, that player loses 1 life. Equip
Cards like Neko-Te
Neko-Te stands out in Magic the Gathering as a unique artifact equipment that can turn any creature into a persistent nuisance for your opponent. This artifact resonates with the likes of Basilisk Collar, another equipment that grants deathtouch and lifelink, bolstering a creature’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Yet, Neko-Te has a distinct edge with its ability to incapacitate creatures it deals damage to, an effect that can radically alter the battlefield dynamic.
Whilst Gorgon’s Head also offers a deathtouch ability to a creature, it lacks the versatility and control provided by Neko-Te. Neko-Te’s ability extends beyond the battlefield, hindering opponents whenever they draw cards. Comparatively, Quietus Spike is an alternative that delivers a similar debilitating blow by halving an opponent’s life total on damage, but without the ongoing control mechanic that makes Neko-Te so impactful.
Evaluating these alternatives, Neko-Te proves to be a valuable tool for players seeking to maintain a prolonged grip on the game’s flow. Its unique blend of offensive enhancement and tactical disruption solidifies its place in an MTG player’s arsenal, especially when strategizing around control-oriented equipment.
Cards similar to Neko-Te by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When equipped, Neko-Te ensures a steady card advantage by allowing you to neutralize key opponent threats simply by dealing damage. Creatures with Neko-Te keep your opponents at bay and can potentially eliminate utility creatures that enter the battlefield, hampering their overall game plan.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, Neko-Te effectively acts as resource acceleration by slowing down your opponent’s board development. By incapacitating tapped creatures, it reduces the need for spending your resources on removal spells, allowing you to develop your board or save up resources for crucial turns.
Instant Speed: While Neko-Te itself is an artifact and not an instant, its ability to attach to a creature at instant speed provides significant flexibility. It grants you the power to surprise your opponent during combat or in response to them tapping a creature, maximizing its disruptive potential and aligning with a strategic defensive playstyle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Neko-Te card’s effect, which requires you to discard in order to activate its ability, might deplete your hand faster, leaving fewer options as the game progresses. This can be detrimental if you’re playing a strategy that relies on maintaining card advantage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: The card has a specific mana cost that might not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype. If your deck doesn’t support the necessary mana base, Neko-Te might often be a dead card in your hand, unusable when you need it the most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Neko-Te brings a unique set of abilities to the table, its mana cost is relatively high compared to other equipment cards. This could slow you down, especially if you’re aiming for a quick build-up of your battlefield presence or racing against an aggressive opponent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Neko-Te is an artifact that offers a great range of possibilities, slotting seamlessly into decks that aim to control opponents’ creatures. Its ability to tap creatures and potentially render them ineffective is universally useful.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with creatures that possess tap abilities or those that benefit from opponents having tapped creatures, broadening your strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Neko-Te can be incredibly powerful, disrupting your adversary’s rhythm and tipping the scales in your favor.
How to beat
The Neko-Te card is a unique artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering, with an ability that can be quite debilitating to creatures it targets. When equipped, it ensures that any damage dealt by the creature to another creature or player results in that creature not untapping during its controller’s next untap step. This capacity to lock down a key creature on the opponent’s side can shift the tide of the game.
Overcoming Neko-Te relies on versatile removal spells or abilities that can target artifacts directly. Disenchant and Nature’s Claim are examples of cards that can effortlessly remove problematic artifacts like Neko-Te from the battlefield. Another strategy involves cards that can untap your creatures, such as Vitalize or Seeker of Skybreak, allowing you to bypass Neko-Te’s ability even after a creature has been dealt damage. Moreover, employing creatures with hexproof or shroud can prevent them from being targeted by Neko-Te in the first place, offering a preventative approach to this pesky artifact.
In essence, MTG players can tackle Neko-Te’s hindrance by keeping a keen eye on artifact removal, countering equipment attachments, and considering creature abilities that can either restrict targeting or counteract the tapping effect. Learning to anticipate and prepare for such equipment cards is fundamental in the strategy of Magic: The Gathering gaming.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Neko-Te MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Neko-Te 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Neko-Te has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |