Predatory Urge MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 175
2012-06-01 - Number 74
2016-11-25 - Number 74
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature has ": This creature deals damage equal to its power to target creature. That creature deals damage equal to its power to this creature."
Cards like Predatory Urge
Predatory Urge is a unique enchantment in the MTG realm, providing both creature control and consistent damage. It’s often likened to Ulvenwald Tracker which serves a similar function, allowing a creature to fight another. However, Predatory Urge has the edge of repeated use every turn, offering sustained board control.
Another counterpart worth mentioning is the card Prey Upon. This card is straightforward in its one-time use, enabling creature combat at a lower cost, but it lacks the permanency of Predatory Urge. Then there’s Domri Rade, a planeswalker whose fighting-oriented ability aligns closely with these spells. While Domri introduces versatility and additional abilities, the mana investment differs, and it’s presented through a different card type entirely.
Assessing functionality within creature combat spells, Predatory Urge represents a formidable choice for players looking to apply repeated pressure and manipulate the battlefield to their advantage. Its ability to consistently dictate fights makes it a potent tool in any MTG player’s arsenal, especially in decks that favor ongoing control strategies.
Cards similar to Predatory Urge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Predatory Urge allows a creature you control to fight another target creature. If your creature survives the confrontation, you’ve effectively removed an opponent’s threat while maintaining your board presence, which can lead to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Predatory Urge doesn’t directly produce additional mana or resources, it can be seen as a form of resource acceleration by eliminating potential blockers. This allows your creatures to attack more freely and can accelerate your game plan by dealing damage more consistently.
Instant Speed: Despite Predatory Urge being a permanent aura, it has a lasting effect that can be used at any time you could cast a sorcery. This means that while it’s not an instant itself, it allows you to initiate fights during your turn at the most opportune moment, effectively working around the constrained timing of traditional sorcery spells. This flexibility can catch an opponent off guard, potentially disrupting their strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Predatory Urge may necessitate discarding cards to fulfill specific conditions or activate abilities, which can backfire when your hand is already running low on options. By potentially sacrificing card advantage, you could be hindering your own game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s requirement for both green mana and generic mana can restrict its integration into multi-colored decks. It demands a mana base tailored to accommodate green mana production, thereby limiting deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement for a notable amount of mana, Predatory Urge stands on the pricier side, especially when you’re aiming to maintain a swift tempo against opponents. There are alternatives in the game that may achieve similar effects or provide creature advantage for a lower mana investment, influencing its playability and efficiency in a match.
Reasons to Include Predatory Urge in Your Collection
Versatility: Predatory Urge offers a unique blend of creature control and offense, allowing you to turn any creature into both a threat remover and an attacker. This card fits well in decks that enjoy keeping the board clear while pressing an advantage.
Combo Potential: With this enchantment, creatures you control can tap to deal damage equal to their power to target creature. This opens up synergies with cards that benefit from creatures dying or dealing combat damage without having to engage directly in combat.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Predatory Urge becomes a valuable tool. It helps maintain pressure on your opponent by removing key creatures from the board and can be a game-changer by keeping the path clear for your heavy hitters.
How to beat
Predatory Urge is a unique enchantment that turns any creature into a formidable battling force in Magic: The Gathering. It invites a strategic approach, reminiscent of fight cards like Prey Upon, yet it offers a lasting power far beyond a one-time event. With Predatory Urge, your creature can pick fights each turn, potentially clearing the board of smaller threats.
To counter this persistent threat, consider using instant-speed removal spells that can dispatch the enchanted creature before it declares a battle. Responding quickly with spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can effectively neutralize the advantage Predatory Urge attempts to establish. Enchantment removal such as Disenchant or Naturalize are also key, as they target the source of the power directly.
Moreover, including hexproof or shroud creatures in your deck can prevent Predatory Urge from ever targeting your key creatures. Always be aware of the board state, manage your threats, and remember that disruption is crucial. By staying one step ahead with these strategies, you can keep Predatory Urge from tipping the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Predatory Urge MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Planechase 2012, 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 Predatory Urge and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Predatory Urge Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Scott Chou.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 175 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott Chou | |
| 2 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 74 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott Chou | |
| 3 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 74 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Chou |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Predatory Urge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Predatory Urge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | If the enchanted creature’s ability is activated, that creature is the one that will deal and be dealt damage when the ability resolves. It doesn’t matter if Predatory Urge leaves the battlefield or somehow becomes attached to another creature by that time. |
| 2009-10-01 | If the targeted creature leaves the battlefield (or otherwise becomes an illegal target) before the ability resolves, the ability doesn’t resolve. The enchanted creature isn’t dealt damage. |
| 2009-10-01 | On the other hand, if the enchanted creature leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, the ability continues to resolve. The enchanted creature deals damage to the targeted creature equal to the power the enchanted creature had as it last existed on the battlefield. |
| 2009-10-01 | The controller of the enchanted creature may activate the ability, not the controller of Predatory Urge. |
| 2009-10-01 | You may have the enchanted creature target itself with its own ability. If you do, it will deal damage to itself equal to its power, then immediately do it again. |