Torsten Von Ursus MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 266
2009-09-07 - Number 183
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Cards like Torsten Von Ursus
Torsten Von Ursus is a unique figure amongst creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. With attributes that mirror the likes of revered legends like Kodama of the North Tree, Torsten offers a blend of power and resilience. Kodama’s lack of mana cost specificity gives it versatility, while Torsten demands a more defined deck structure with its specific color alignment.
Considering Surrak Dragonclaw serves as another point of comparison. Surrak provides its controller with the ability to counteract enemy spells that would prevent other creatures from entering the battlefield. Torsten, conversely, lacks that counteractive capability but makes up for it with a formidable presence on the battlefield as soon as it arrives.
Lastly, Lovisa Coldeyes presents another alternate option. While Lovisa offers a boost to a broader range of creature types, Torsten focuses its strength on leading a narrower squad with its particular allegiances. Their strategic use-case scenarios vary widely, with Torsten favoring more specialized deck themes.
Ultimately, Torsten Von Ursus stands out in MTG for its commanding physical power and the ability to fit into a deck built around its color strengths, appealing to players who appreciate steadfast and impactful creature cards.
Cards similar to Torsten Von Ursus by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Torsten Von Ursus offers a strategic upper hand by drawing a card whenever another nontoken creature you control dies. This feature allows players to replace their lost resources, keeping their hand replenished and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This mighty bear is not just a force on the battlefield; it bolsters your mana pool. With its ability to generate additional mana upon the death of your other creatures, Torsten accelerates your resource acquisition, providing the means to deploy high-impact spells ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: Torsten’s triggered ability works at instant speed, providing flexibility and surprise. Losing a creature on your adversary’s turn can immediately result in drawing a card, potentially giving you the perfect response at the perfect time. This instantaneity of action keeps your opponents guessing and allows you to adapt swiftly to the evolving game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside to the Torsten Von Ursus card is the necessity to discard another card. This can deplete your hand quickly and reduce your strategic options, especially if you’re already facing hand disruption from opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: Torsten Von Ursus demands a particular arrangement of mana types to cast. This can be a drawback in multi-color decks that might struggle to produce the required combination of colors consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Torsten Von Ursus coming at a higher mana cost than some other creatures in its class, players must consider whether its abilities justify the investment, especially when alternatives may provide similar benefits for less.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Torsten Von Ursus offers a broad scope of application across various deck archetypes, lending a resilient threat in creature-focused strategies and underpinning synergies with his substantial power and toughness.
Combo Potential: As a legendary creature, this card can not only lead a Commander deck but also synergizes effectively with strategies that capitalize on his ability to survive battles, potentially unlocking new combo avenues.
Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s robustness in the face of numerous removal spells, it can become a staple in metagames teeming with control decks. Its ability to withstand and excel in such an environment makes Torsten Von Ursus a noteworthy contender for deck slots.
How to beat
Torsten Von Ursus can be quite the formidable presence on the battlefield in MTG, bolstering your opponent’s creatures with his grandeur ability. That said, he’s not unbeatable. One effective strategy to overcome Torsten is leveraging removal spells that bypass his indestructibility. Spells such as Path to Exile or Terminate can handle him since they don’t destroy, but rather exile or change the conditions of the battlefield.
Control decks are especially well-equipped to handle threats like Torsten. Using counterspells such as Mana Leak or Spell Pierce can prevent him from ever hitting the board. If he does manage to make an appearance, having a board wipe ready, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can reset the board, clearing the way for your victory. Cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, like Liliana of the Veil, are also excellent for dealing with him without having to target him specifically.
Overall, the key to beating Torsten Von Ursus lies in a carefully curated deck with answers to indestructible creatures. Ensure your deck has the right mix of removal, counters, and board wipes, and this powerful card loses much of its intimidation factor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Torsten Von Ursus MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Torsten Von Ursus and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Torsten Von Ursus Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 266 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 183 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Torsten Von Ursus has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |