Sunglasses of Urza MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 271
1993-10-04 - Number 272
1993-12-01 - Number 272
1993-12-10 - Number 272
1993-12-10 - Number 272
1994-04-01 - Number 276
1994-04-01 - Number 276
1994-06-21 - Number 276
1995-04-01 - Number 347
1995-04-01 - Number 347
2022-11-28 - Number 565
2022-11-28 - Number 268
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
White mana in your mana pool can be used as either white or red mana.
Cards like Sunglasses of Urza
Delving into the realm of artifact cards in MTG, the Sunglasses of Urza present an interesting comparison to its peers. Like the well-known card, Chromatic Lantern, Sunglasses of Urza provide mana flexibility. They both break the color barrier to some extent and facilitate the utilization of mana as needed. Yet, the Lantern translates all your lands into a rainbow of possibilities, while the Sunglasses are more selective, focusing solely on converting red mana to white without impacting lands.
Mana flexibility can also be found in Celestial Prism, an artifact that, for an additional cost, filters mana through its prism, although it doesn’t hold the same thematic charisma or historical significance as the Sunglasses. Another compeer is Prophetic Prism, which also filters mana and provides the added boon of card draw upon its entrance to the battlefield, a feature the Sunglasses lack. However, the Sunglasses of Urza offer unconditional conversion of red mana which can be repeatedly used without further cost.
The artifacts mentioned carve out their unique spaces within MTG, but the Sunglasses of Urza stand out for their ability to consistently alter the color of mana without extra input, thus holding a special place in the annals of MTG for both function and nostalgia.
Cards similar to Sunglasses of Urza by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When it comes to maintaining an upper hand in the game, the Sunglasses of Urza offers a unique form of card advantage. It doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, but by permitting the use of white mana as though it were red mana, it potentially expands the cards you’re able to play, effectively increasing your usable resources and thereby your overall options.
Resource Acceleration: This artifact does wonders for mana flexibility in mono-white and Boros decks. While it does not accelerate mana in the traditional sense by providing more mana, it offers the kind of acceleration that comes from improved resource utility, ensuring you’re less likely to be constrained by color requirements and more likely to be able to play the spells in your hand when you need to.
Instant Speed: The Sunglasses of Urza can be played at any time you could play an artifact, providing flexibility in how you manage your plays. While not an instant itself, it enables better utilization of your mana at instant speed, which means sneaking in those crucial red or white instant spells without worrying about the colors of mana you have available.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Sunglasses of Urza is that using it effectively in a game can sometimes mean having to let go of valuable cards. Discarding can put a dent in your hand, which might be detrimental during crucial moments when card advantage is key.
Specific Mana Cost: The Sunglasses of Urza demands a precise mana investment to get into play. Requiring both generic and white mana, it can be restrictive and isn’t always easily slotted into multicolor decks that might be mana-hungry for other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial mana cost that some players might find steep relative to its impact on the game, the Sunglasses of Urza may not always be the most mana-efficient play. There are alternatives available that might provide a more immediate or powerful effect for the same, or even a lesser, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Sunglasses of Urza in Your Collection
Versatility: Sunglasses of Urza offers utility across various deck archetypes. As an artifact, it can seamlessly integrate into strategies that capitalize on artifact synergies or require mana fixing.
Combo Potential: This card can enable combo plays by granting red mana sources the ability to produce white mana, opening up avenues for powerful red-white interactions and multi-color combo frameworks.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where white spells play a critical role, Sunglasses of Urza gains importance by ensuring that your red mana can adapt to the demands of your white spells, making it a strategic addition in the right context.
How to beat
Sunglasses of Urza is a unique artifact from the early days of Magic: The Gathering with the ability to convert mana from plains into red mana. This ability might seem modest but in the right deck, it transforms a simple mana pool into a versatile powerhouse. Tackling a player using Sunglasses of Urza requires a strategic approach.
Artifacts by nature are susceptible to a variety of removal spells. Shattering Spree, Disenchant, or Naturalize are excellent spells for removing troublesome artifacts directly from the field. More aggressive strategies could include using something like Vandalblast for a one-sided sweep of all the artifacts an opponent controls. It’s also wise to consider the value of artifact disruption over straightforward destruction. Cards such as Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe can render artifacts like Sunglasses of Urza useless without actually removing them from the board, potentially bypassing strategies reliant on artifacts entering the graveyard.
Ultimately, overcoming the Sunglasses of Urza’s advantage lies in being prepared. Include some countermeasures in your deck to deal with artifacts promptly. This not only diminishes the Sunglasses’ effectiveness but maintains the flow of the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sunglasses of Urza MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Sunglasses of Urza 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 Sunglasses of Urza Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 271 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 272 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 272 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 272 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 272 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 276 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 276 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 276 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 347 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 347 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 565 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 12 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 268 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sunglasses of Urza has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |