Oblation MTG Card


Oblation provides instant-speed versatility, improving tactical gameplay through reactive and surprise play. While advantageous, its requirements and costs may limit its use to certain deck types. Oblation has strategic ties to deck synergy and meta-relevance, adapting to shifting game conditions.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

The owner of target nonland permanent shuffles it into his or her library, then draws two cards.

"A richer people could give more but they could never give as much."


Cards like Oblation

Oblation is a versatile removal option available to players in Magic: The Gathering, much like the iconic Swords to Plowshares. While Swords to Plowshares allows for efficient creature removal at only one white mana, Oblation offers the ability to target not just creatures but also other nonland permanents at the cost of giving the controller two cards. The two-card advantage to your opponent is significant, contrasting with the Swords to Plowshares’ life gain, which is often less impactful in the scope of a game.

Another close relative to Oblation in terms of functionality is Chaos Warp. Both cards handle problematic permanents in a way that bypasses indestructible or regeneration. The key difference lies in Chaos Warp’s nature of being a red spell and its unpredictable outcome, potentially providing the opponent with a more threatening permanent off the top of their library. Conversely, Oblation’s outcome is more controlled, since it trades the permanent for known quantities – two cards from the opponent’s deck.

Comparatively, when considering removal options in a player’s arsenal, Oblation stands out for its flexibility and certainty in handling threats across all types of nonland permanents. The choice between immediate and potential long-term consequences presents an interesting strategic decision for deck builders and players alike.

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Oblation by color, type and mana cost

Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
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Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions
Armed Response - MTG Card versions
Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions
Armed Response - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Oblation offers a versatile approach to handling problematic permanents on the board, effectively removing them from play. This can disrupt opponent strategies, diminish their resources and potentially swing the momentum in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Oblation does not directly increase mana resources, it effectively delays threats, allowing you to utilize mana and resources more efficiently in upcoming turns without having to deal with immediate threats.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Oblation at instant speed provides significant tactical advantages. You can react to opponent moves during their turn, or at the end of their turn, to maximize surprise and minimize their options for counterplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Oblation itself does not require you to discard a card, having to use it may force you into a situation where you’re sacrificing card advantage. This removal tool makes you give the opponent two cards, which could be a steep price to pay when trying to maintain control of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Oblation’s mana cost necessitates the presence of white mana, which means it fits only into decks that run white or have a mana base capable of producing white. This limits its flexibility compared to colorless removal options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana to cast, two of which are color specific, can be demanding especially when faster, cheaper removal options are available in the vast pool of MTG cards. While Oblation can deal with any nonland permanent, other removal spells at lower costs might be a better fit for decks that aim to operate efficiently under tight mana conditions.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Oblation offers a flexible answer to troublesome permanents, easily integrating into various deck archetypes that require defensive options without condition restrictions.

Combo Potential: This card not only disrupts opponents’ strategies but also synergizes in decks that benefit from opponents drawing cards, potentially triggering certain effects your deck might exploit.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-changing competitive scene, Oblation remains a relevant choice as it can handle problematic commander and creature-centric strategies that dominate many games.


How to Beat

Oblation is a versatile tool within the arsenal of white spells in Magic: The Gathering, often providing players with a unique means of temporarily dealing with threats on the battlefield. What sets Oblation apart from other removal spells is its ability to target any nonland permanent, offering a broader range of options. However, this strength is balanced by the card’s drawback – the opponent’s compensation of drawing two cards.

To effectively counter Oblation, the key lies in minimizing the downside it presents. One strategy is timing. Play important creatures when you have counterspell protection or when your opponent is low on white mana, hence likely unable to cast Oblation. Additionally, cards that benefit from being targeted or can be recurred from the graveyard turn Oblation’s drawback into an advantage for you. Cards like Reassembling Skeleton or Bloodghast bounce back, while creatures with beneficial “leaves the battlefield” effects such as Thragtusk still provide you value even after being shuffled into your library.

In essence, the art of countering Oblation comes down to mindful play, understanding the nuances of timing, and having a deck with resilient or beneficial response cards. This way, you neutralize the impact of Oblation while maintaining the flow of your own game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Oblation is a pivotal card for strategic MTG players who value adaptability on the battlefield. As you’ve seen, its strengths lie in versatility and the ability to respond swiftly to threats. Utilizing Oblation effectively can alter the course of a game, making it a key asset in white-aligned decks. If you’re intrigued by the possibilities Oblation presents and want to optimize its usage, deepen your understanding and ensure you’re always a step ahead. Dive into the nuances of tactical play and card synergy with our in-depth articles and strategy guides. Master the art of disruption and resource management for your next victorious match with Oblation at your command.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oblation MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Commander 2011, 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 Oblation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Oblation Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Doug Chaffee.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 461997NormalBlackDoug Chaffee
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 222003NormalBlackDoug Chaffee
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 832015NormalBlackDoug Chaffee
42016-11-11Commander 2016C16 712015NormalBlackDoug Chaffee
52021-04-23Commander 2021C21 972015NormalBlackDoug Chaffee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Oblation has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal