Colfenor's Urn MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2007-10-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Lorwyn |
| Set code | LRW |
| Number | 254 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jim Pavelec |
Text of card
Whenever a creature with toughness 4 or greater is put into your graveyard from play, you may remove it from the game. At end of turn, if three or more cards have been removed from the game with Colfenor's Urn, sacrifice it. If you do, return those cards to play under their owner's control.
Cards like Colfenor's Urn
Colfenor’s Urn is a unique artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, providing a peculiar form of board protection. When looking at cards with a similar theme, we find the artifact Cauldron of Souls to be a close relative. Cauldron of Souls allows creatures to return to the battlefield after being destroyed, much like Colfenor’s Urn, which also requires the creatures to be power 3 or greater. However, the urn’s capacity to hold only three creatures and requiring them to be destroyed in the same turn provide both a limitation and a strategic angle not seen with the Cauldron.
Moving to another artifact, Mimic Vat shares the concept of reanimation, albeit with a twist. Instead of returning a plethora of creatures, it focuses on imprinting a single one when it dies, granting you a token copy each turn. This can result in consistent field presence, unlike Colfenor’s Urn’s one-time effect. Lastly, there’s the comparison with artifacts such as Elixir of Immortality, which offers a broader approach to recursion by shuffling creatures back into the library, yet doesn’t provide the immediate on-field advantage Colfenor’s Urn does.
Overall, while Colfenor’s Urn might share similarities with other Magic: The Gathering cards, it stands out due to the precise conditions and potential for a significant one-turn creature revival.
Cards similar to Colfenor's Urn by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Colfenor’s Urn can be a game-changer by safeguarding your valuable creatures from potential threats. By storing creatures that were otherwise destined for the graveyard, you not only prevent a loss of crucial board presence but also set yourself up for a substantial return on investment once the Urn’s conditions are met, effectively turning a setback into an opportunity for a powerful resurgence and card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The ability to potentially return multiple creatures to the battlefield with Colfenor’s Urn bypasses the usual mana costs associated with casting them. This not only accelerates your resource deployment dramatically but also allows for a sudden and overwhelming swing in your favor, which can be difficult for your opponents to anticipate or react to effectively.
Instant Speed: Although Colfenor’s Urn doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it indirectly allows for instant-speed-like plays. Once it’s set up with the required creatures stored within it, you can activate it at the end of your opponent’s turn. This ensures that you’re bringing back creatures at a time when opponents have the least opportunity to respond before you untap and have all your resources available, thus providing a tactical edge.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Colfenor’s Urn doesn’t ask players to discard, activating its ability hinges on specific creatures dying. There must be toughness total of 4 or greater among creatures put in your graveyard from the battlefield this turn. In games where board presence is critical, losing valuable creatures may not be an optimal trade-off just to wield the Urn’s effect.
Specific Mana Cost: Colfenor’s Urn demands a blend of three different mana types to cast. This specific cost can be a barrier in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency, thereby hindering the Urn’s deployment at critical game moments.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With five mana needed to cast Colfenor’s Urn, it falls on the steeper end of the mana curve for an artifact that doesn’t provide an immediate impact. Many players might find this cost inhibitive, pointing towards alternatives, possibly enchantments or other artifacts, that offer more immediate value or less mana-intensive reanimation options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Colfenor’s Urn offers a unique form of creature protection. It can be used in a variety of decks, especially ones that capitalize on having creatures enter and leave the battlefield, or decks built around creature-heavy strategies.
Combo Potential: This artifact has significant combo potential. It can pair well with creatures that have leave-the-battlefield effects or sacrifice mechanics, setting up for a powerful turn when the creatures return to the battlefield en masse.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with board wipes and removal spells, Colfenor’s Urn ensures the resilience of your creature base. This can be particularly strong in commander and other singleton formats where protecting key creatures is crucial to your strategy.
How to beat
Colfenor’s Urn is a unique artifact card that can set up formidable defenses by bringing creatures back from the graveyard . Its capacity to preserve creatures with toughness 4 or greater means it can be a key piece in games that go on for multiple turns. Defeating an opponent who utilizes Colfenor’s Urn requires a strategy to either stop the Urn from triggering or to deal with the creatures once they return.
An effective way to tackle this is through graveyard disruption. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog can exile the creatures before they have a chance to re-enter the battlefield. Alternatively, countering the Urn’s ability with Stifle or Tale’s End can prevent the trigger from resolving, keeping potential threats at bay.
Another angle of attack is to focus on creature control. Wraths like Wrath of God or Damnation reset the board, meaning that even if creatures are stored in the Urn, it won’t be able to overturn a cleared battlefield. Ensuring you can consistently answer or neutralize the creatures brought back will undermine the Urn’s impact and give you an advantage. By incorporating these strategies into your deck, you can confidently face down Colfenor’s Urn and turn the tide in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Colfenor's Urn MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Colfenor's Urn and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Colfenor's Urn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Colfenor's Urn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-10-01 | The first ability triggers when a token creature with toughness 4 or greater is put into your graveyard. However, that token will cease to exist before Colfenor’s Plans can exile it. |
| 2007-10-01 | The second ability checks how many creatures have been exiled with Colfenor’s Urn over the course of the entire game. |
| 2007-10-01 | The second ability forces you to sacrifice Colfenor’s Urn. If the ability triggers and the Urn isn’t sacrificed (because it left the battlefield or changed controllers, for example), the exiled cards won’t be returned to the battlefield. |