Captain of Umbar MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 45
2023-06-23 - Number 496
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
, : Draw a card, then discard a card.
"There is a great fleet drawing near to the mouths of Anduin, manned by the Corsairs of Umbar in the South. They have long ceased to fear the might of Gondor." —Beregond
Cards like Captain of Umbar
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Captain of Umbar stands as a noteworthy addition to creatures with a piracy theme. This card echoes the mechanics found in cards like Kitesail Freebooter, which also disrupts an opponent’s hand by allowing you to look at it and exile a noncreature, nonland card. While Captain of Umbar doesn’t offer the hand disruption, it compensates with its crew ability, potentially commandeering your opponent’s vehicles, reflecting the flavor of piracy in a unique manner.
Another card to consider is Hostage Taker, which shares the theme of commandeering opponents’ tools. Though in this case, Hostage Taker can exile an artifact or creature until it leaves the battlefield. The Captain of Umbar’s ability is based on the crew mechanic, which makes it situational but potentially powerful in decks focused on vehicles.
Ultimately, Captain of Umbar showcases versatility in vehicle-focused strategies within Magic: The Gathering, capturing the essence of piracy on the high seas of the multiverse. Its strength lies in the ability to gain control of your opponent’s artifacts, a tactical advantage when vehicles are at the forefront of the battle.
Cards similar to Captain of Umbar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Captain of Umbar offers a strategic edge by allowing an extra draw each time it attacks, keeping your hand replenished and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does it contribute to board presence by creating a token, but this token is also a Treasure that ramps your mana resources, potentially leading to powerful plays ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: With the capability to flash in, Captain of Umbar enhances your tactical flexibility, making it possible to surprise your opponents or wait for the opportune moment to align with your game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Captain of Umbar demands a card discard to unleash its potential. This can backfire if your hand is already scant, stripping away valuable plays for the turn.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a distinct Black mana requirement, Captain of Umbar isn’t easily splashed into multi-colored decks without significant mana fixing which can complicate deck-building strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a relatively steep mana curve, Captain of Umbar can be outclassed by other creatures or spells at a similar mana bracket with more impactful or immediate effects on the game state.
Reasons to Include Captain of Umbar in Your Collection
Versatility: The Captain of Umbar card offers flexibility in deck construction, easily slotting into Pirate-themed decks or any blue and black builds seeking a savvy commander. Its ability to control and disrupt makes it a valuable asset in various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, Captain of Umbar’s ability to bring back pirates from the graveyard opens up numerous combo possibilities, enhancing gameplay with strategic depth.
Meta-Relevance: Given that games often revolve around creature dynamics, Captain of Umbar’s influence on the board state is particularly pertinent. Its potential to repeatedly reanimate key pirates can tilt the meta in your favor, providing an edge against creature-based opponents.
How to beat
The Captain of Umbar card introduces a tactical advantage to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its capacity to grow in strength each time you cast a pirate spell, it can become a menacing presence if left unchecked. However, like any formidable force in the game, there are strategies to counter it effectively. One of the first tactics would involve direct removal spells. Cards that can exile or destroy creatures bypass the Captain of Umbar’s potential to accumulate power.
Another strategy is to employ counterspells to prevent it from hitting the field in the first place. By controlling the stack and negating your opponent’s spells, you not only prevent the captain from entering play but also maintain the flow of the game in your favor. Additionally, implementing creatures with deathtouch or using spells that force the Captain to block can mitigate its impact, ensuring that it doesn’t get the chance to capitalize on its growth ability. Lastly, board wipes can reset the playing field, removing the Captain along with other threats.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming the Captain of Umbar lies in strategically planning your defenses and knowing when to deploy them. Monitoring your opponent’s pirate spell arsenal and maintaining a mix of removal, control, and cunning are your best bets in ensuring the Captain doesn’t overrun your defenses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Captain of Umbar MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Captain of Umbar 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Captain of Umbar Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Wei Guan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wei Guan | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 496 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wei Guan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Captain of Umbar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |