Oath of Kaya MTG Card


Provides both creature removal and life stabilization, crucial in aggressive metagames. Acts as a deterrent with real-time consequences against attacks on planeswalkers. Demands careful mana base construction and hinders indiscriminate resource usage.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Enchantment

Text of card

When Oath of Kaya enters the battlefield, it deals 3 damage to any target and you gain 3 life. Whenever an opponent attacks a planeswalker you control with one or more creatures, Oath of Kaya deals 2 damage to that player and you gain 2 life.

"So everyone gets what they truly deserve, I will keep watch."


Cards like Oath of Kaya

Oath of Kaya is a unique multicolored enchantment that has made a notable impact on decks favoring the Orzhov color pairing. Its closest relatives in effect include cards like Kaya’s Wrath and Mortify. Both are efficient at dealing with creatures, which is a part of Oath of Kaya’s ability. However, Kaya’s Wrath is more about sweeping the board clean of creatures, while Mortify gives the option to destroy a single creature or enchantment.

Vindicate is another related card, offering even more flexibility by allowing the destruction of any permanent. It’s not constrained to just creatures or enchantments like Mortify. Despite this, Vindicate doesn’t provide any life gain, which is a significant benefit of Oath of Kaya. Additionally, Sorin’s Thirst is somewhat similar, dealing 2 damage and offering 2 life gain, but it pales in comparison to the broader impact and additional damage Oath of Kaya can provide.

Therefore, Oath of Kaya holds its ground as a versatile card, fitting well into control strategies while offering both creature removal and a life buffer. It’s the combination of damage and life gain tied to an enchantment that allows ongoing benefits, distinguishing it from its counterparts.

Kaya's Wrath - MTG Card versions
Mortify - MTG Card versions
Vindicate - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Thirst - MTG Card versions
Kaya's Wrath - MTG Card versions
Mortify - MTG Card versions
Vindicate - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Thirst - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Oath of Kaya by color, type and mana cost

Circle of Despair - MTG Card versions
Righteous War - MTG Card versions
Soul Link - MTG Card versions
Etchings of the Chosen - MTG Card versions
Pillory of the Sleepless - MTG Card versions
Gift of Orzhova - MTG Card versions
Athreos, God of Passage - MTG Card versions
Behind the Scenes - MTG Card versions
Profane Procession // Tomb of the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Knights' Charge - MTG Card versions
Ascent of the Worthy - MTG Card versions
Circle of Despair - MTG Card versions
Righteous War - MTG Card versions
Soul Link - MTG Card versions
Etchings of the Chosen - MTG Card versions
Pillory of the Sleepless - MTG Card versions
Gift of Orzhova - MTG Card versions
Athreos, God of Passage - MTG Card versions
Behind the Scenes - MTG Card versions
Profane Procession // Tomb of the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Knights' Charge - MTG Card versions
Ascent of the Worthy - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange PioneerOrzhov MidrangePioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-07
Abzan PlaneswalkersAbzan Planeswalkers GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Four-color PlaneswalkersFour-color Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formMO89#CS
Orzhov PlaneswalkersOrzhov Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
Orzhov YorionOrzhov Yorion PioneerOrzhov MidrangeF2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Oath of Kaya shines by offering players an immediate two-for-one deal. When it enter the battlefield, it not only deals damage to a target but also gains that amount of life, ensuring a swing in life totals and card effectiveness. Over the course of a match, this could very well be the edge needed to outvalue your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly serving as resource acceleration, the life gained through Oath of Kaya can act as a buffer, allowing players to use their life as a resource more freely. This can indirectly lead to an acceleration in deploying vital threats or activating costly abilities without the immediate fear of losing the game.

Instant Speed: Despite being a sorcery-speed enchantment, Oath of Kaya’s ability to trigger upon planeswalkers being attacked aligns with instant-speed interaction. In essence, it deters opponents from attacking your planeswalkers, as they would face repercussions during their own turn, effectively offering a protective measure with real-time consequences.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to using the Oath of Kaya is its potential to lead to a card disadvantage. Players using this card must be prepared to manage their hand effectively to avoid depleting their resources, especially in situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost may pose a limitation; requiring one white, one black, and one generic mana, it necessitates a focused mana base. Decks not running both colors or relying on a more flexible mana base may find it challenging to cast Oath of Kaya consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, this card is considered to have a comparatively high cost for its immediate impact. Some players may opt for other removal or lifegain options that are less restrictive in cost, such as more versatile or cheaper spells, to gain tempo advantage.


Reasons to Include Oath of Kaya in Your Collection

Versatility: Oath of Kaya is a multi-functional card effective in various decks, particularly those seeking life gain and removal. Its ability to target creatures or planeswalkers gives it flexible defensive and offensive roles.

Combo Potential: Partner great with planeswalkers due to its passive effect, punishing opponents for attacking you or your planeswalker allies. Plus, it fits nicely into decks that exploit enter-the-battlefield triggers or Esper control strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Oath of Kaya offers crucial life stabilization. It serves as a deterrent against creature-heavy decks, maintaining its significance in diverse gameplay scenarios.


How to beat

Oath of Kaya, a formidable multicolored enchantment in Magic the Gathering, offers a dual advantage – it deals damage to any target while gaining its controller life. Like most powerful cards, there’s always a strategy to counteract it. To begin, hold onto enchantment removal spells in your hand, ready to dismantle Oath of Kaya as soon as it hits the board. Cards like Disenchant or Mortify can be crucial in this scenario. Also, consider strategies that sidestep its damage-dealing effect. This can include using creatures with hexproof or shroud abilities, which are not valid targets for Oath of Kaya’s initial effect. Additionally, playing around with its controller’s planeswalkers – which trigger Oath of Kaya’s second ability when attacked – might mean reallocating your attacks or leveraging spells that remove planeswalkers outright, such as Bedevil or Heroes’ Downfall.Remember, Oath of Kaya’s life-gain element is often just as important as its damage output. Thus, incorporating life total reduction strategies in your deck building can be effective. With cards that take advantage of the opponent’s gained life, like Aetherflux Reservoir or cards with lifelink to maintain your pace, you can mitigate the life-gain Oath of Kaya provides your opponent.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you assimilate the strengths and weaknesses of Oath of Kaya, it’s evident that this card can be a powerhouse in the right setup. Considering its versatility and the strategic depth it adds, especially in a meta that favors planeswalker synergy, it’s a valuable addition to your MTG arsenal. If you’re working on a deck that appreciates life gain and targeted removal, Oath of Kaya deserves consideration. We encourage you to delve deeper into deck-building strategies and find the best ways to incorporate this unique card into your gameplay. Ready for more insights and tips to refine your deck? Dive into more content and discussions with us and level up your MTG expertise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oath of Kaya MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and War of the Spark Promos, 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 Oath of Kaya and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Oath of Kaya Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2019-05-04. Illustrated by Wesley Burt.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 2092015NormalBlackWesley Burt
22019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 209s2015NormalBlackWesley Burt
32019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 209p2015NormalBlackWesley Burt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Oath of Kaya 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 Oath of Kaya card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-05-03 If an opponent attacks more than one planeswalker you control, the last ability of Oath of Kaya triggers once for each of those attacked planeswalkers.
2019-05-03 If the target is an illegal target by the time the first ability of Oath of Kaya tries to resolve, the ability doesn’t resolve. You won’t gain 3 life.