Clutch of the Undercity MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Transmute

Key Takeaways

  1. Gain card advantage and tailor your hand with its bounce and transmute abilities.
  2. Flexibility is key as Clutch of the Undercity operates effectively at instant speed.
  3. Mana specificity and cost may limit its inclusion to certain deck archetypes.

Text of card

Return target permanent to its owner's hand. Its controller loses 3 life. Transmute (, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same mana value as this card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Transmute only as a sorcery.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clutch of the Undercity not only returns a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand but also lets you search your library for a card, effectively cycling and fine-tuning your hand for upcoming plays.

Resource Acceleration: Although Clutch of the Undercity doesn’t directly generate mana, the transmute ability it possesses acts as a resource accelerator by ensuring you get the right card for the current board state without losing card economy.

Instant Speed: This card operates at instant speed, offering the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at the end of their turn or during a crucial moment, without compromising your own tempo and allowing strategic plays on-the-fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One particular constraint that can hinder the efficiency of Clutch of the Undercity is the fact that it can compel players to discard a card. This attribute particularly impacts game strategy when the player’s hand is running low on cards, making it crucial to weigh the benefits against the potential cost of diminishing your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Another aspect worth noting is the card’s demand for a specific mana combination. Utilizing blue and black mana can restrict the card’s versatility, rendering it less suitable for decks that do not incorporate both colors or those that struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Lastly, the four mana cost, with a distribution across different colors, may seem steep for the effect provided. When considering other cards in MTG with similar or even more powerful effects at a lower mana cost, Clutch of the Undercity may not always be the most cost-effective choice to occupy a slot in your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clutch of the Undercity is a dynamic card that complements various deck strategies, due to its dual nature as both a bounce spell and a transmute tutor. This allows for greater flexibility whether you’re disrupting opponent plays or searching for key pieces in your deck.

Combo Potential: With its transmute ability, Clutch of the Undercity serves as a reliable way to access combo pieces that are critical for certain deck engines. By using it to fetch essential cards, you can execute your winning strategies more consistently.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where non-creature spells play a significant role, Clutch of the Undercity can be a game-changer. Being able to remove threats or search for answers makes this card particularly relevant and a strategic asset for control or combo decks.


How to beat

Overcoming Clutch of the Undercity in MTG can be a strategic endeavor considering its versatile nature. As a card that offers both a bounce effect and a transmute ability, understanding when to play your precious cards is key. Its bounce effect can disrupt your board presence, so a keen strategy is to bait it out with a less critical permanent before committing more valuable ones to the battlefield.

Moreover, its transmute ability can be quite the wildcard, fetching pivotal cards from the player’s library. To counteract this, holding up instant-speed disruption can prevent the foe from exploiting the card fetched by Clutch of the Undercity. Being aware of the opponent’s mana and potential targets for transmute will help in predicting their next move and responding appropriately. Graveyard interaction, by either shuffling their graveyard into their library or exiling cards from it, can also nullify the advantages provided by transmute.

Ultimately, the game against Clutch of the Undercity becomes one of anticipation and reaction, requiring flexible tactics and timely execution. Players adept in these strategies may find themselves well-equipped to handle the disruption and tutoring power Clutch of the Undercity brings to the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

A deep dive into Clutch of the Undercity reveals its dual role as a strategic disruptor and a key search mechanism in MTG. Mastering its use can be a game changer, particularly in decks that value the tight control of the board while simultaneously sculpting the perfect hand. While every card comes with trade-offs, embracing the transmute ability for on-point deck tuning or employing the bounce effect to outmaneuver an opponent showcases the card’s clever adaptability. For passionate players looking to sharpen their deck’s edge or disrupt the competitive meta, understanding and utilizing Clutch of the Undercity’s potential can be an exciting and rewarding journey. Enhance your mastery and methodically outplay your opponents by uncovering more insights and strategies with us.


Cards like Clutch of the Undercity

Exploring the depths of Magic: The Gathering’s transmute mechanic, Clutch of the Undercity stands out for its utility and adaptability. This card offers a blend of removal and tutor that echoes the functionality of cards like Dimir Infiltrator. The Infiltrator, while also a bearer of the transmute ability, leans more towards a sneaky combat approach as an unblockable creature, but lacks the direct disruption that Clutch of the Undercity provides.

Mystical Teachings shares the tutoring aspect, allowing the search for an instant card or one with flash, providing strategic advantage thanks to its instant speed and flashback feature. However, it doesn’t offer the bounce effect. Conversely, Perplex presents a similar dilemma to the opponent. It’s a counter spell unless the opponent discards their entire hand, equipped with transmute for added versatility. Yet, it doesn’t control the board in the same way Clutch of the Undercity can by returning a permanent to its owner’s hand.

Considering the attributes and utilities of its counterparts, Clutch of the Undercity emerges as a versatile card in MTG. The combination of board interaction, strategic tutoring, and being part of intricate combos or control strategies help to solidify its place in the game’s dynamic environment.

Dimir Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Mystical Teachings - MTG Card versions
Perplex - MTG Card versions
Dimir Infiltrator - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Mystical Teachings - Time Spiral (TSP)
Perplex - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Clutch of the Undercity by color, type and mana cost

Induce Paranoia - MTG Card versions
Mystical Teachings - MTG Card versions
Memory Plunder - MTG Card versions
Ancient Excavation - MTG Card versions
Artful Takedown - MTG Card versions
Spellscorn Coven // Take It Back - MTG Card versions
Induce Paranoia - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Mystical Teachings - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Memory Plunder - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB)
Ancient Excavation - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Artful Takedown - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Spellscorn Coven // Take It Back - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clutch of the Undercity MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Salvat 2005, 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 Clutch of the Undercity and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Clutch of the Undercity Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2005-10-07. Illustrated by Pete Venters.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E142003normalwhitePete Venters
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E382003normalwhitePete Venters
32005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 1972003normalblackPete Venters
42020-09-26The ListPLST RAV-1972003normalblackPete Venters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Clutch of the Undercity has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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