Unnatural Endurance MTG Card


Unnatural Endurance - Oath of the Gatewatch
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Devoid
Released2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set nameOath of the Gatewatch
Set codeOGW
Number80
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMathias Kollros

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts combat resilience, balance by offering creatures survivability and extra power at a low cost.
  2. Instant speed allows for dynamic play, increasing adaptability and response efficiency in games.
  3. Its low cost benefits deck building, leaving mana available for other strategic plays within a turn.

Text of card

Devoid (This card has no color.) Target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn. Regenerate it.

"Eldrazi don't die easy. Sometimes they don't die at all." —Yon Basrel, Oran-Rief survivalist


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite not drawing cards directly, Unnatural Endurance can be a pivotal tool in preserving card economy. By protecting a creature on the battlefield, it effectively negates the loss of a card to removal or combat, ensuring you maintain board presence without dipping further into your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Unnatural Endurance’s low casting cost factors into resource acceleration by allowing players to deploy other spells in the same turn. This can lead to a significant tempo boost, offering the dual advantage of creature protection and enabling impactful plays without needing to expend additional turns or resources.

Instant Speed: The card’s instant speed grants flexibility in play, providing the opportunity to surprise an opponent during combat or in response to an enemy spell. This adaptability ensures that your strategies can be implemented on-the-fly and that threats can be managed more effectively during the course of a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Unnatural Endurance offers a cost-effective way to give a creature +2/+0 and the ability to return to the battlefield when it dies, it falls short when it requires a card to be discarded if it’s cast from the graveyard, thus potentially depleting valuable hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Unnatural Endurance asks for one black mana, which narrows its application to decks that can reliably produce that color of mana, potentially excluding it from various multicolor or colorless strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not expensive, there are instances where the color-specific cost is a limitation, particularly when compared to other combat tricks or restorative spells in the same mana range that may offer more utility or have lower overall costs to activate.


Reasons to Include Unnatural Endurance in Your Collection

Versatility: Unnatural Endurance allows for unexpected combat tricks, making it a great inclusion in decks that require a little extra punch to survive battles. Its ability to give a creature +2/+0 and save it from destruction adds significant flexibility during tight situations.

Combo Potential: As an instant that provides both a buff and regeneration on a creature, it pairs well with strategies focusing on creature-based synergies. It’s a fantastic tool for decks that aim to keep key creatures in play, capitalizing on effects that trigger upon creatures dying or dealing damage.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where removal spells and board wipes are prevalent, Unnatural Endurance provides an inexpensive way to maintain your board presence. It’s relevant in matches where shielding your key creatures for a crucial turn can make the difference between victory and defeat.


How to beat Unnatural Endurance

Unnatural Endurance is a card that can surprise opponents in Magic: The Gathering by offering an unexpected edge in combat. This black instant allows a creature not just to survive an encounter it might have otherwise lost but also to potentially take down an adversary with its +2/+0 boost. Navigating around this combat trick is key. Anticipate the play by keeping track of your opponent’s untapped black mana and the cards in their hand. Successful strategies involve using removal spells after the Unnatural Endurance has been played, thus nullifying its benefit, or employing creatures with first strike to avoid the combat phase altogether.

Encountering a deck that harnesses Unnatural Endurance means preparing for sudden shifts in power during battle. Managing resources to always have an answer ready and using spells that can neutralize threats preemptively, such as exile or sacrifice effects, can undermine the advantages that Unnatural Endurance brings to the table. It’s also pertinent to monitor the battlefield and discern when it’s best to hold back, conserving your forces rather than walking into a trap laid with the intent of an Unnatural Endurance-powered surprise. Playing around this instant efficiently requires careful consideration, making it a fascinating challenge in the MTG arena.


Cards like Unnatural Endurance

In the realm of combat tricks within Magic: The Gathering, Unnatural Endurance holds a standout position. It shares some common ground with cards like Rush of Vitality, which also provides a creature with a boost in toughness and, importantly, indestructible until the end of the turn. However, Unnatural Endurance shines in its affordability at just a single black mana and it grants a creature +2/+0, perfectly timed for a lethal surprise during combat.

Another relative is Supernatural Stamina, echoing a similar function. It not only gives a creature a power boost but also brings it back to the battlefield when it dies. This subtle difference could pivot the gameplay, making Supernatural Stamina slightly superior in terms of resilience. But then, compare it to Undying Evil, which forgoes the power boost in favor of undying, ensuring the creature returns with a +1/+1 counter. It’s a strategic choice between immediate power versus lasting board presence.

Assessing these options reveals the close competition among black combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering. Unnatural Endurance stands as a strong choice for its efficient cost and immediate offensive impact, meriting its place in decks that lean on swift and potent strikes.

Rush of Vitality - MTG Card versions
Supernatural Stamina - MTG Card versions
Undying Evil - MTG Card versions
Rush of Vitality - Kaladesh (KLD)
Supernatural Stamina - Amonkhet (AKH)
Undying Evil - Dark Ascension (DKA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unnatural Endurance MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Unnatural Endurance and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unnatural Endurance has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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