Uncle Istvan MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 54
1995-04-01 - Number 165
1995-04-01 - Number 165
1995-08-01 - Number 66
2006-10-06 - Number 51
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
All damage done to Uncle Istvan by creatures is reduced to 0.
Solitude drove the old hermit insane. Now he only keeps company with those he can catch.
Cards like Uncle Istvan
Uncle Istvan is a unique character in Magic: The Gathering, with quite a distinct ability to dodge damage from creatures. His parallel might be seen in cards like Stuffy Doll, which is also impervious to damage in a different way. Stuffy Doll turns the damage into a boomerang, hurting its controller’s opponent. Nevertheless, Uncle Istvan’s ability is solely defensive, making him a solid blocker that can stand tall against many creatures.
Comparing him further, we can look at cards like Vampire Nighthawk. While this card doesn’t share the damage prevention aspect, it offers a suite of valuable abilities including flying, deathtouch, and lifelink. These traits make Vampire Nighthawk versatile in both attack and defense, though it doesn’t have the iconic resilience of Uncle Istvan. Another relative in the realm of damage mitigation is the Wall of Reverence. This creature brings consistent life gain to the table, a different kind of staying power on the battlefield.
Ultimately, Uncle Istvan holds a distinctive place in Magic: The Gathering. His special form of creature damage control sets him apart, granting him a legacy that persists in the memories of players and the lore of the game.
Cards similar to Uncle Istvan by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Uncle Istvan doesn’t directly offer card draw benefits, but his ability to evade destruction from creatures can lead to advantageous board states, preserving your presence while potentially forcing your opponent to commit more resources to handle him.
Resource Acceleration: While Uncle Istvan doesn’t accelerate mana resources, he stands as an efficient use of mana. Investing in him early can pay off over time as he dissuades attacks and survives combat situations that many other creatures could not.
Instant Speed: Although Uncle Istvan isn’t an instant-speed spell, his resiliency can buy you time to utilize your mana for instant-speed interactions during your opponent’s turn, knowing that Istvan can likely hold the fort on his own.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Uncle Istvan doesn’t come with a discard requirement, which fortunately means players don’t have to sacrifice valuable hand resources to get him in play.
Specific Mana Cost: Uncle Istvan’s mana cost leans heavily on black mana, requiring three black mana symbols and one colorless. This specific demand can be challenging in multicolored decks and limit his integration into various MTG strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Totaling four mana, Uncle Istvan is a card that might compete with others for the same mana investment. Players often evaluate cards for their impact relative to their mana cost, and in a game where efficiency can be key, Uncle Istvan’s utility versus cost is a consideration that might tip the scales against him.
Reasons to Include Uncle Istvan in Your Collection
Versatility: Uncle Istvan is a unique card that offers solid defensive capabilities. This creature can be difficult for your opponents to remove due to its distinct ability to prevent all damage dealt to it by creatures. This resilience can make Uncle Istvan a reliable defensive asset in decks that need time to set up their winning combos or strategies.
Combo Potential: In decks that benefit from damage prevention or require creatures that can survive combat, Uncle Istvan adds a layer of combo potential. Various cards and mechanics that synergize with damage prevention or creatures that are hard to kill can pair well with Uncle Istvan, adding depth to your gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the meta, Uncle Istvan can shine in environments where combat damage from creatures is prevalent. As a deterrent to opponent’s creatures, Uncle Istvan can potentially shift the tide of creature-based matchups, making him a card worth considering for your collection.
How to Beat Uncle Istvan
Uncle Istvan presents a curious case in the realm of Magic: The Gathering creatures. Unlike most, this card is steeped in the game’s early history, known for its unique ability to dodge destruction from any damage-dealing spell. Players must be crafty when looking to counter this peculiar character; simply hurling spells won’t do. Instead, focus on removal spells that don’t deal damage, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, which can unceremoniously remove Uncle Istvan from the game without the need to deal with its damage prevention ability.
Another robust strategy is to employ global destruction effects. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation clear the field of all creatures, ensuring even those with Uncle Istvan’s resilience won’t survive the cull. Moreover, in a pinch, combat damage from other creatures can be effective, as Uncle Istvan’s ability only protects him from spells. Use larger creatures to overwhelm him or take advantage of evasion tactics such as flying or trample to circumvent his defenses.
Thoughtfully weaving these techniques into your game plan will nullify Uncle Istvan’s defensive stance and turn the tide to your favor, demonstrating the importance of having a varied arsenal at your disposal in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Uncle Istvan MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition, 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 Uncle Istvan 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 Uncle Istvan Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Daniel Gelon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 54 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 165 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 165 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 66 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 5 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 51 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Uncle Istvan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Uncle Istvan card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Works even on damage from activated abilities of creatures such as Prodigal Sorcerer. |