Evil Eye of Urborg MTG Card

Time Spiral (TSP)
2006-10-06 - Number 107

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number TSP-107

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Eye
Power	6
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Indirect card advantage by keeping your creatures unblocked and applying pressure on the opponent.
Can disrupt opponents’ tempo, making them hesitant to play creatures and spells against you.
Strategically forces opponents to play around your terms, altering their instant speed responses.

Text of card

Non-Eye creatures you control can't attack. Whenever Evil Eye of Urborg becomes blocked by a creature, destroy that creature.

"Edahlis, what *is* that thing? We should have stayed in Yavimaya . . . ." —Aznaph, greenseeker

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Evil Eye of Urborg offers a unique edge in maintaining board presence. By preventing your other creatures from being blocked, it indirectly contributes to card advantage as your threats remain on the board to apply consistent pressure, potentially outpacing your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the presence of Evil Eye of Urborg can deter opponents from committing to the board, potentially giving you the correct tempo to accelerate your game plan without interference.

Instant Speed: Although Evil Eye of Urborg itself doesn’t function at instant speed, its ominous presence dictates immediate attention. This can advantageously affect how and when an opponent might use their instant speed removal or tricks, making them play on your terms. Having this strategic upper hand can be just as valuable as the speed of your spells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To weave the dark magic of Evil Eye of Urborg into your game, you’ll need to let go of other spells in your hand, as the card may prompt you to discard as part of its cost or effect. This can leave you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when resources are already thin on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Conjure this creature requires a strict adherence to black mana, which can restrict its inclusion to mono-black or similar color-focused decks. Players running multicolor decks may find the mana cost prohibitive, limiting the versatility of this card in various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning the Evil Eye of Urborg demands a considerable pool of mana. With other creatures or spells potentially offering greater benefits at a lower cost, it’s crucial for players to weigh their options carefully to optimize their deck’s mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Evil Eye of Urborg can be an exciting addition to black control or mono-black creature decks. With its ability to only be blocked by Walls, it offers a strategic advantage, gliding past most creatures to deal consistent damage.

Combo Potential: This card pairs exceptionally well with various mechanics such as Fear and Menace, enhancing its offensive capabilities. Moreover, it has excellent synergy with cards that turn creatures into Walls, clearing the path for a direct attack.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-heavy decks, the Evil Eye of Urborg can serve as a relentless attacker that’s hard to block. Its unique attributes can be a game-changer, providing a steady pressure point against opponents.

How to beat

The Evil Eye of Urborg is a unique creature within the vast array of cards in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to prevent other creatures you control from attacking except for Eyes, one might think it’s an odd choice for your deck. However, this creature’s strength lies in its singular attack focus, which calls for a strategic approach when facing it in battle. To beat it, consider using removal spells that can bypass its restrictions, such as Path to Exile or Murder, which handle it no matter how many Eyes are on the field.

Alternatively, you can opt for board control cards, like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, that clear the field irrespective of creature types. Zoning in on the Evil Eye of Urborg’s limitations is also key; since it only allows Eyes to attack, ensuring that it remains the lone creature can make your opponent’s offensive line predictable and easy to counter. The key to victory is to remain adaptable and utilize the versatile removal and control tools available within the game.

When encountering the Evil Eye of Urborg, stay calm, keep your removal cards ready, and remember: every creature, no matter how fearsome, has its Achilles’ heel ready for you to exploit. A well-timed spell can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Cards like Evil Eye of Urborg

The Evil Eye of Urborg is a unique creature card that finds its place in the black-aligned creature roster of Magic: The Gathering. Among creatures with intimidating abilities, it stands alongside the likes of the classic Nekrataal for its ability to control the battlefield. However, while Nekrataal offers a single-target removal upon entering the battlefield, the Evil Eye of Urborg limits its control aspect to combat, deterring blockers and guaranteeing successful attacks.

Diving into similar territory, we find the iconic Sengir Vampire. Though not restricted in its attack like the Evil Eye of Urborg, which can only attack alone, Sengir Vampire boasts a self-scaling mechanic, gaining strength with each creature it destroys. This creates an entirely different tactical approach. Abyssal Specter follows suit, with an unmistakable discard ability imposed on opponents through combat damage. Unlike the Evil Eye of Urborg that focuses on unidirectional assaults, Abyssal Specter enforces hand disruption, offering a strategic angle in resource denial.

Through a comparative lens, Evil Eye of Urborg provides a blend of offense and passive control, carving its unique spot among its creature peers in MTG. While it may lack the direct interaction or constellation of abilities its counterparts have, its standalone prowess within a well-constructed deck can be unmatched in singularity.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Evil Eye of Urborg MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and The List, 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 Evil Eye of Urborg and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Evil Eye of Urborg Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Clint Langley.