Indrik Umbra MTG Card

Indrik Umbra provides creatures totem armor, enabling them to withstand removal and combat damage. The card requires discarding and a specific mana cost, demanding careful deck construction and hand management. It excels in enchantment-friendly decks and metagames dominated by creature-based strategies.

Planechase 2012 (PC2)
2012-06-01 - Number 96

Indrik Umbra - Planechase Anthology (PCA)

Planechase Anthology (PCA)
2016-11-25 - Number 96

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant,Totem armor

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +4/+4 and has first strike, and all creatures able to block it do so. Totem armor (If enchanted creature would be destroyed, instead remove all damage from it and destroy this Aura.)

Cards like Indrik Umbra

Indrik Umbra stands out in the lineup of aura enchantments in MTG. It’s similar to cards like Bear Umbra in that both provide buffs to the creature they enchant. Indrik Umbra, however, brings the added benefit of granting first strike and totem armor to the creature. This effectively gives the creature an edge in combat situations and a layer of protection against destruction, not found in Bear Umbra.

Looking at another relative, Spider Umbra, while it does offer totem armor like Indrik Umbra, it differs in that it bolsters a creature’s defensive capabilities with reach instead of offensive prowess with first strike. The two auras also carry different mana requirements, which can influence deck-building decisions. Spectra Ward is another enchantment that similarly increases resilience and power, giving protection from all colors to the creature it enchants. Nevertheless, it lacks the first strike granted by Indrik Umbra, which can turn the tides during battle.

Through comparison, Indrik Umbra’s unique dual benefits of first strike and totem armor showcase its value among creature auras in MTG. It serves as a versatile choice for players looking to shield their creatures while simultaneously enhancing their combat capabilities.

Cards similar to Indrik Umbra by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Indrik Umbra stands out for its ability to potentiate your creatures, granting them totem armor. This not only bolsters your creatures’ resilience but can effectively neutralize an opponent’s removal spell, keeping your hand filled with potent creatures.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Indrik Umbra’s totem armor can save a key creature during combat or from a destruction effect, which indirectly conserves the resources you would have spent to replace that creature.

Instant Speed: While Indrik Umbra itself doesn’t function at instant speed, its inherent totem armor ability can dramatically shift combat outcomes or nullify targeted removal that your opponent may cast at instant speed, making it a defensive asset any time your creatures are in jeopardy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Indrik Umbra comes with a demand on your hand. You’ll need to discard a card, which can often put you at a disadvantage by depleting valuable resources or by forcing you to make difficult decisions on what to let go, especially in the tight clutch moments of a game.

Specific Mana Cost: Indrik Umbra’s specific mana requirements can restrict its integration into decks. It demands a particular color combination to cast, and not all decks can easily accommodate this without disrupting their mana base, making it less versatile for players who prefer a wider range of color possibilities in their builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the casting cost of Indrik Umbra related to its abilities, it becomes apparent that it’s on the higher end of the spectrum. While powerful, there are instances where other cards could offer similar benefits at a lower mana investment, potentially leading to more efficient plays and accelerating your strategy while leaving resources available for control and interaction.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Indrik Umbra is a card that can seamlessly integrate into decks that emphasize enchantment synergies or creature protection strategies. Its ability to bestow can turn any creature into a significant threat on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card holds potential for amazing synergy with cards that benefit from enchantments or creatures gaining added abilities. Additionally, the totem armor it provides can be a game-changing factor in maintaining board presence.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often playing a prominent role in many metagames, Indrik Umbra can offer a boost to your creatures that will help them survive various removal spells and combat scenarios, keeping you competitive.

How to beat

Confronting an Indrik Umbra on the battlefield requires tactical finesse and careful deck construction. As an enchantment creature, Indrik Umbra brings a dynamic layer of defense and offense, often frustrating players with its ability to turn creatures into formidable threats. The key to besting this card lies in prioritizing the removal of enchantments or utilizing spells that can bypass its effects. Spot removal spells targeting enchantments or utilizing abilities that can exile are particularly effective strategies.

Including cards that can neutralize creatures without destroying them, such as those that force taps or reduce a creature’s strength to zero, could also be a wise move. Moreover, evading combat through flying or unblockable creatures offers a path to victory, mitigating the boosted power Indrik Umbra provides. Board wipes also serve as a potential countermeasure, clearing the field of all creatures, irrespective of their enhanced status, and resetting the tempo of the game.

A strategic approach, incorporating diverse tactics to undermine the enhancements brought by Indrik Umbra, is essential. By focusing on its weaknesses and staying one step ahead, you can dismantle the defensive bulwark it creates and push through to secure your victory on the MTG battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Indrik Umbra MTG card by a specific set like Planechase 2012 and Planechase Anthology, 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 Indrik Umbra and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Indrik Umbra Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-06-01 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2012-06-01	Planechase 2012	PC2		96	2003	Normal	Black	Christopher Moeller
2	2016-11-25	Planechase Anthology	PCA		96	2015	Normal	Black	Christopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Indrik Umbra has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2012-06-01	If, during a player’s declare blockers step, a creature is tapped or it’s affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t block, then it doesn’t block. If there’s a cost associated with having a creature block, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost. The creature doesn’t have to block.
2012-06-01	Indrik Umbra does not give any creature the ability to block the enchanted creature. It just forces those creatures which are already able to block that creature to do so.