Tetsuo Umezawa MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Archer
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Tetsuo Umezawa offers board control and excels in instant speed utility for tactical play.
  2. Inclusion in decks can be tricky due to specific mana requirements and high casting cost.
  3. Having countermeasures against Tetsuo’s abilities can turn the tide in your favor.

Text of card

o Ro Bo Bo Uoc T: Destroy target tapped creature or target blocking creature. Tetsuo may not be a target of an enchant creature spell.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tetsuo Umezawa provides the distinct benefit of potentially removing an opponent’s creature from the game without a trace. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and swing the balance, as you gradually deplete their resources while retaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: Although Tetsuo himself does not directly accelerate resources, his ability to command the board by threatening targeted exile can lead to indirect resource gains. Opponents may hesitate to play their high-value creatures, which can give you the upper hand and preserve your mana for further development.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Tetsuo Umezawa’s skill at instant speed offers immense flexibility. This not only allows for surprise defensive maneuvers but also enables you to make strategic decisions based on the evolving state of the game. Timing is crucial, and Tetsuo excels when it comes to making the most of your turn-based dynamics.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tetsuo Umezawa necessitates players to relinquish a card from their hand in order to activate his abilities. This can set back your in-game tempo, particularly if your hand is already dwindling and you need to maintain every asset possible.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the hurdles with this legendary creature is the demand for a precise blend of mana types. Requiring one of each blue, black, and red mana, it can be challenging to cast him promptly or consistently, especially in multicolored decks that juggle various mana needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost that reflects a significant investment of mana, Tetsuo Umezawa poses a substantial commitment on your resources. There are alternative creatures and spells in the MTG universe which could offer similar or greater impacts for a lower mana commitment, making it essential for players to weigh the cost against the benefits carefully.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tetsuo Umezawa is a multipurpose asset due to his ability to act as both a removal option and a threat to opponents. His disruptive capabilities make him an excellent addition to decks that seek to control the board while progressing their game plan.

Combo Potential: Tetsuo Umezawa thrives in environments where combos are key. His ability to potentially eliminate blockers or target utility creatures lends itself to creating advantageous board states that can be capitalized upon with clever deck synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Tetsuo Umezawa’s ability to directly impact the battlefield through his targeted removal skill makes him an invaluable tool for gaining the upper hand in creature-centric matchups.


How to beat

Tetsuo Umezawa brings a unique challenge to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Known for his ability to eliminate creatures without targeting and formidable take on commander damage, Tetsuo requires a tactical approach to overcome. When facing this card, key strategies include managing your removal spells wisely, as Tetsuo thrives when opponents are forced into using their targeted removal inefficiently. Players should consider using board wipes or effects that apply to all creatures, which sidestep Tetsuo’s targeting immunity.

Furthermore, maintaining a watchful defense against Tetsuo’s direct attacks can mitigate his formidable commander damage potential. Here, having creatures with high toughness or access to instant-speed creature production can provide a protective buffer. Additionally, since Tetsuo can also destroy tapped creatures, vigilance enhances creatures’ survivability against his ability. Lastly, having access to counter magic for Tetsuo Umezawa’s cast or activated abilities is vital, especially in formats where he is used as a commander. Crafting a deck with these considerations will help in consistently toppling the cunning Tetsuo Umezawa.


Cards like Tetsuo Umezawa

Tetsuo Umezawa bolsters the ranks of legendary creatures in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This characterful card can be juxtaposed with Barrin, Master Wizard for its unique ability to impact the game. Tetsuo requires a tap, along with a single blue and black mana to destroy target tapped creature, underscoring his assassination prowess without needing to engage in combat. Barrin, while differing in execution, demands the sacrifice of another permanent to return a creature to its owner’s hand, offering flexible board control.

Another comparable legendary is Vhati il-Dal, which similarly allows for manipulation of combat by altering a creature’s toughness. Though both legends have distinctive abilities, their utilization in controlling opponents’ creatures creates strategic parallels. While Vhati’s effect is less final than Tetsuo’s outright removal, it can be more diverse against indestructible threats.

Evaluating these legends’ capabilities and synergies within their respective decks reveals Tetsuo Umezawa as a potent choice for commanders who prefer decisive removal and tactical advantage, distinguishing him in the lineage of MTG commanders.

Barrin, Master Wizard - MTG Card versions
Vhati il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Barrin, Master Wizard - Urza's Saga (USG)
Vhati il-Dal - Tempest (TMP)

Cards similar to Tetsuo Umezawa by color, type and mana cost

Morgue Toad - MTG Card versions
Nightscape Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Grixis Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Kederekt Creeper - MTG Card versions
Sedraxis Specter - MTG Card versions
Maestros Diabolist - MTG Card versions
Corpse Appraiser - MTG Card versions
Anhelo, the Painter - MTG Card versions
Maestros Initiate - MTG Card versions
Spelldrain Assassin - MTG Card versions
Tetsuo, Imperial Champion - MTG Card versions
Goro-Goro and Satoru - MTG Card versions
Morgue Toad - Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas (DDH)
Nightscape Battlemage - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Grixis Battlemage - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Kederekt Creeper - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Sedraxis Specter - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Maestros Diabolist - Streets of New Capenna Promos (PSNC)
Corpse Appraiser - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)
Anhelo, the Painter - New Capenna Commander (NCC)
Maestros Initiate - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)
Spelldrain Assassin - Alchemy: New Capenna (YSNC)
Tetsuo, Imperial Champion - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Goro-Goro and Satoru - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tetsuo Umezawa MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Tetsuo Umezawa and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tetsuo Umezawa Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Julie Baroh.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 2621993normalblackJulie Baroh
22009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 1791997normalblackJulie Baroh

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tetsuo Umezawa has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 This card can be enchanted by moving Auras onto it. The “can’t be the target” text is different from “can’t be enchanted” in that it only applies to Aura spells when they are being cast.
2009-10-01 Tetsuo Umezawa can be targeted by abilities from Auras.

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