Purraj of Urborg MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Cat Warrior
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	135
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Matson

Key Takeaways

Grants card advantage by growing in power without depleting your hand, becoming a consistent threat.
Increases resource efficiency by deterring removal, allowing strategic plays with mana conservation.
Surprise opponents with growth at instant speed, complementing instant spells for unexpected power boosts.

Text of card

First strike when attacking oo B Put a +1/+1 counter on Purraj of Urborg. Use this ability only when a black spell is successfully cast and only once for each such spell.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Purraj of Urborg can potentially provide card advantage in the game. As you power up this legendary Panther Warrior, its ability to grow when black spells are cast allows you to develop a formidable creature without losing card equity from your hand. Combined with the right deck, Purraj can be a consistent threat that requires an answer from your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: In MTG, resource acceleration is a crucial aspect. Purraj can contribute tangentially to resource acceleration by deterring opponents from targeting it with removal spells due to its natural resilience and potential for growth. This lets you save resources and mana for other strategic plays, maintaining a pace that can out-value your adversary.

Instant Speed: While Purraj of Urborg itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with instant speed spells. Casting black instants on your opponent’s turn not only can surprise them but can also beef up Purraj unexpectedly, turning it into an even larger threat. This can shift the tide of battle quickly, especially if multiple spells can be cast in succession.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unleash the full potential of Purraj of Urborg, you’ll often have to let go of other cards in your hand, which might deplete your crucial resources and leave you at a disadvantage during pivotal moments.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting both black and generic mana in its cost, this card demands a dedicated mana base. Not every deck can accommodate such a requirement without affecting its mana curve or consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side, Purraj of Urborg sometimes lags behind more cost-efficient creatures in the game. Strategic play may be hindered as you might be unable to deploy multiple spells in a single turn or leave enough mana open for reactionary plays.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Purraj of Urborg thrives in decks constructed around black mana dominance and creature control. Its adaptability comes from the ability to either lead a mono-black build or supplement multi-colored decks with a strong black presence.

Combo Potential: This card offers excellent synergy with strategies that benefit from creature deaths or black mana generation. Combine it with cards that sacrifice creatures for an advantage or with those that profit from having a high life total to fully exploit its potential.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Purraj of Urborg holds its ground by becoming increasingly threatening with each creature that hits the graveyard. Its relevance increases as it can often swing in as an unanticipated and potent threat against opponents.

How to beat

Purraj of Urborg enters the battlefield with a particular presence, bringing back memories of legends like Mirri, Cat Warrior in terms of combat dominance. Much like her feline predecessors, Purraj can quickly become a major threat due to her potential power growth as black spells are cast. One fundamental strategy to counter her is by controlling the pace and nature of spells played. Prioritize the removal of creatures before they become too powerful through effects or auras.

Effective removal spells are crucial in keeping Purraj at bay. Consider including instant-speed removals in your deck, such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, to handle her before your opponent can bolster her strength with more black spells. Keeping creature removal handy allows you to wait until the optimal moment, perhaps baiting your opponent into committing further resources to Purraj before you sweep her off the board. Moreover, utilizing hand disruption spells can preemptively remove problematic spells that might empower her even beyond your control spells’ reach.

To summarily reduce the threat of Purraj of Urborg, focus on early disruption and quick reaction removal spells, mitigating the value your opponent derives from playing her and maintaining board control throughout the game.

Cards like Purraj of Urborg

Purraj of Urborg holds a unique place among legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering, standing out with its feline agility and menacing presence on the battlefield. Its closest relatives in playstyle can be found in the likes of Mirri, Cat Warrior, who also boasts a combination of aggressive abilities that make her a formidable threat. Both have the capacity to punch through defenses, though Mirri leans into her low cost and forestwalk to gain an early advantage.

Skittish Kavu operates on a different axis, yet it resembles Purraj’s volatility with a power level that fluctuates depending on the number of cards in hand. The key difference lies in Skittish Kavu’s dependency on the player’s hand size, whereas Purraj becomes more potent as black spells are played, steadily growing in power. Additionally, Heir of the Wilds is a contender to consider, bringing with it deathtouch. However, unlike the increasing threat of Purraj, Heir of the Wilds doesn’t scale with gameplay, although its consistent deathtouch can be a deterrent to attackers throughout the game.

Analyzing Purraj of Urborg alongside its counterparts reveals its potential for exponential growth in power, a feature that escalates threats to opponents in a unique way, solidifying its status as a fearsome creature in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Purraj of Urborg by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Plaguelord - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Purraj of Urborg MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Purraj of Urborg and other MTG cards: