Ubul Sar Gatekeepers MTG Card


Enhances late-game with card advantage through robust draw mechanisms, key for pressure and versatility. Ramps up strategies with resource acceleration, enabling quicker access to high-cost spells. Instant speed ability offers game state adaptability, perfect for strategic disruptions.
Ubul Sar Gatekeepers - Dragon's Maze
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Soldier
Released2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameDragon's Maze
Set codeDGM
Power 2
Toughness 4
Number30
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byVolkan Baǵa

Text of card

When Ubul Sar Gatekeepers enters the battlefield, if you control two or more Gates, target creature an opponent controls gets -2/-2 until end of turn.

There are many gates into the undercity, but few ways out.


Cards like Ubul Sar Gatekeepers

Ubul Sar Gatekeepers take their place within the pantheon of MTG creatures that offer benefits when they enter the battlefield, similar to the impactful Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Known as Gary to veteran players, Gray Merchant thrives on devotion to black mana, dealing damage and gaining life. Like Ubul Sar Gatekeepers, the Merchant provides a significant swing in life totals, but it hinges on the depth of black mana symbols present, unlike the Gatekeepers’ requirement for having two or more Gates.

Another parallel can be drawn with Baloth Null, a creature that retrieves two creatures from your graveyard to your hand when it arrives on the battlefield. This provides a different form of card advantage compared to Ubul Sar Gatekeepers, which requires a gate-centric deck to maximize the four-life gain. Baloth Null offers more flexibility in deck construction without the Gate stipulation.

Lastly, Siege Rhino also shares a stage with Ubul Sar Gatekeepers in terms of entering the battlefield bonuses. While Siege Rhino damages the opponent and boosts your life by three, regardless of your board state, the Gatekeepers’ life gain is potentially greater but demands a more specific condition. In decks built to satisfy that gate condition, Ubul Sar Gatekeepers can shine as a stalwart defender, turning the tide in games where life totals are a battleground.

Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions
Baloth Null - MTG Card versions
Siege Rhino - MTG Card versions
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions
Baloth Null - MTG Card versions
Siege Rhino - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ubul Sar Gatekeepers by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
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Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ubul Sar Gatekeepers provide a robust draw mechanism pivotal for outpacing opponents in the late game. Ensuring a steady flow of options, it’s a must-have for decks looking to maintain pressure and versatility on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This card thrives in resource-heavy settings, unlocking the potential of your mana base and enabling faster deployment of high-cost spells. It’s a key component for ramping up your strategy and achieving your end-game conditions quicker.

Instant Speed: The reactive nature of Ubul Sar Gatekeepers allows players to adapt to unfolding game states seamlessly. By operating at instant speed, it offers the flexibility to disrupt opponents’ plans while advancing your board position under the radar.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ubul Sar Gatekeepers requires a player to have two or more gates under their control to activate its ability. This constraint can restrict the card’s utility, particularly in the early game or in decks not heavily gate-focused.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Ubul Sar Gatekeepers is specifically aligned with the Orzhov color identity (black and white). This can make it challenging to incorporate into multicolored decks that may not prioritize these colors or mana bases that struggle to produce both types of mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its ability to offer a life gain advantage, the four mana required to cast Ubul Sar Gatekeepers can be seen as steep compared to other creatures with similar abilities. Players may opt for lower-cost creatures that provide more immediate or flexible benefits in competitive play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ubul Sar Gatekeepers have a flexible role in any deck that accommodates the Gate subtype, supporting both multicolor strategies and enhancing mana base stability.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that leverage a variety of Gates, enabling triggers and interactions that can provide a significant advantage over the course of a game.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the game’s landscape, the Ubul Sar Gatekeepers can be particularly effective in a meta where Gate-based decks are prominent, providing both a defensive and strategic edge.


How to beat

The Ubul Sar Gatekeepers present a unique challenge on the battlefield for players of Magic the Gathering. This card activates a noteworthy ability when it enters the field, but only if there were two or more Gates in play under your control. To effectively combat the Ubul Sar Gatekeepers, it’s essential to limit the number of Gate cards that your opponent has. You can achieve this by removing their Gates with land destruction or denial strategies, or deploying cards that change land types, thus preventing the activation of the Ubul Sar Gatekeepers’ ability.

Direct removal spells are also an efficient way to address the threat posed by the Ubul Sar Gatekeepers. By utilizing spot removal after the Gatekeepers hit the board, you can minimize their impact. Keep in mind that destroying the Gatekeepers before the entry effect triggers is futile, since the ability is a static one that depends on the Gate presence rather than the Gatekeepers’ survival. Ultimately, a versatile control strategy that includes land interference and creature elimination will ensure the Ubul Sar Gatekeepers don’t gatekeep your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ubul Sar Gatekeepers MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Ubul Sar Gatekeepers and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ubul Sar Gatekeepers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal