Corsairs of Umbar MTG Card


Provides card advantage and can ramp up plays with instant speed, adding surprise to your game strategy. Requires careful hand management and could pose mana-related challenges for diverse decks. Helpful for aggressive tempo and combo-heavy decks, fitting well within the right metagame context.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Pirate
Abilities Amass
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

: Target Goblin, Orc, or Pirate can't be blocked this turn. Whenever Corsairs of Umbar deals combat damage to a player, amass Orcs 3. (Put three +1/+1 counters on an Army you control. It's also an Orc. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token first.)


Cards like Corsairs of Umbar

When evaluating the impact of Corsairs of Umbar within the MTG universe, we must compare it to its counterparts. Much like the renowned Squadron Hawk, it possesses the capability to pull other copies of itself from the deck to the hand, ensuring a strategic card flow. However, the Squadron Hawk requires less mana investment and is considerably more streamlined for drawing multiple copies.

Delving further into comparisons, we encounter the Misthollow Griffin, which shares Corsairs of Umbar’s utility of playing cards from exile, granting a persistent board presence. Each card exploits different zones outside the battlefield, underscoring the versatility and resourcefulness in deck construction. Misthollow Griffin is more costly in terms of mana but boasts a more substantial presence on the board with flying capability, unlike the Corsairs of Umbar.

Corsairs of Umbar stands as a unique piece in a well-orchestrated strategy, blending the flexibility seen in the mechanics of Squadron Hawk and Misthollow Griffin, thus enhancing deck consistency and resilience. It is a testament to the deep strategy available in MTG, providing players with an intriguing option for their arsenal.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Misthollow Griffin - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Misthollow Griffin - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Corsairs of Umbar by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
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Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
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Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
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Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Screeching Drake - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Corsairs of Umbar provides an edge by offering access to additional cards, giving players more options and increasing the likelihood of having the right answers or threats at crucial moments.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be an enabler for quicker and more efficient plays, helping to outpace opponents by ramping up your resources. Deploying stronger spells earlier can be game-changing.

Instant Speed: The flexibilty to cast Corsairs of Umbar at instant speed allows strategic players to optimize their turns, maintaining the element of surprise and making it harder for opponents to predict and counter their moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Corsairs of Umbar requires you to discard another card, reducing your hand size and potentially sacrificing key plays for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a strict mana arrangement due to its black mana cost, creating a potential stumbling block in multicolored decks not heavily invested in black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing four mana into the Corsairs can lead to a setback when facing off against decks that excel in ramping up their board state rapidly or thwarting your build-up with lower-costing spells.


Reasons to Include Corsairs of Umbar in Your Collection

Versatility: Corsairs of Umbar adds strategic flexibility to pirate-themed or black-blue decks, offering both early defense and late-game attack options.

Combo Potential: With abilities that often synergize with other pirate-type cards or those that manipulate hand and graveyard content, this card is a boon for combo enthusiasts.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to fit into aggressive tempo decks, Corsairs of Umbar may prove valuable in metagames that reward proactive playstyles and resource disruption.


How to beat

The Corsairs of Umbar card holds a unique position within the pirate-themed decks of Magic: The Gathering. This card can be quite intimidating with its ability to hijack an opponent’s game plan. The key to overpowering Corsairs of Umbar lies in understanding the elements that make it tick and dismantling its strategy. It’s essential to keep the battlefield clear of small creatures, as Corsairs of Umbar thrives on a populated board. Board wipes or removal spells targeted at key creatures can cripple the synergy upon which Corsairs of Umbar relies.

Moreover, cards that restrict your opponents from utilizing looted treasures efficiently can reduce the impact of Corsairs of Umbar. Look to incorporate countermeasures that prevent or punish your opponent for drawing extra cards or casting multiple spells a turn. Lastly, maintain a strong defense and be wary of committing too many resources to the board which could become potential ammunition for your opponent’s strategy.

In summary, beating Corsairs of Umbar involves disrupting its combo pieces, running efficient removal, and preventing the cascading advantages it seeks to gather. With a proactive and aware approach, you can navigate around the challenges posed by this distinctive card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Building on the insights regarding the Corsairs of Umbar, we see an intriguing MTG card with potential to bolster your pirate-themed or black-blue decks. To navigate the seas of deck construction with ease, it’s worth considering cards like Corsairs of Umbar that can offer card advantage, resource acceleration, and instant speed play. If you’re looking to create waves in your next game and outmaneuver your competition, Corsairs of Umbar might just be the card to tip the scales in your favor. For those eager to refine their strategies and explore new horizons in MTG, we invite you to learn more about incorporating tactical choices that can enhance your gameplay. Set sail with confidence as you integrate adept choices like Corsairs of Umbar into your deck and embark on the quest for victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Corsairs of Umbar MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Commander and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Corsairs of Umbar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Corsairs of Umbar Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Narendra Bintara Adi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 192015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 4212015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1022015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Corsairs of Umbar has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Corsairs of Umbar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 Activating Corsairs of Umbar's first ability after a Goblin, Orc, or Pirate has become blocked won't cause that creature to become unblocked.
2023-06-16 Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army.
2023-06-16 Amass abilities are now written as "amass
-ubtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N."
2023-06-16 If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.
2023-06-16 In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
2023-06-16 Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason.
2023-06-16 Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs.
2023-06-16 To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.