Undercity Troll MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 202
2017-11-17 - Number 188
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Troll |
| Abilities | Renown |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Renown 1 (When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn't renowned, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes renowned.): Regenerate Undercity Troll. (The next time this creature would be destroyed this turn, it isn't. Instead tap it, remove all damage from it, and remove it from combat.)
Cards like Undercity Troll
Undercity Troll is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering that offers a blend of aggression and resilience. Its regeneration ability hearkens back to other classic creatures like Drudge Skeletons. Whereas Drudge Skeletons require just a single black mana to regenerate, Undercity Troll demands both an additional green mana and the exile of another creature card from your graveyard, making it a bit more resource-intensive yet potentially more impactful on the battlefield.
Comparing Undercity Troll to other cards, Sylvan Advocate is a relevant point of reference. Both creatures fit in the two-mana slot, but the Advocate’s late-game power boost and land synergy offer a different strategic avenue. Tarmogoyf, one of the most powerful two-drops in the game, also occupies the same space. Though lacking regeneration, Tarmogoyf can become a massive threat very quickly, outclassing the size of the Undercity Troll in most scenarios.
While Tarmogoyf may often overshadow Undercity Troll in terms of raw power, the Troll’s regenerate ability grants it a staying power that is not to be overlooked. The comparison reveals Undercity Troll as a card that holds its own, offering a unique blend of aggression and longevity on the playmat.
Cards similar to Undercity Troll by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Undercity Troll offers an enduring presence on the battlefield, thanks to its regenerative ability. Engaging in combat or deterring attacks without the risk of loss can incrementally tip the balance of cards in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, this creature’s Renown mechanic ensures that it becomes a more significant threat after dealing combat damage to a player. This acts as a form of acceleration, propelling your board state’s power without the need for additional card investment.
Instant Speed: Although the Troll itself isn’t cast at instant speed, its regenerative ability can be activated at any time. This flexibility allows for strategic plays during the combat phase or in response to removal spells, potentially saving resources and maintaining board presence when opponents least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Undercity Troll does not have a discard requirement which can be seen as an advantage for maintaining card advantage in gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: Undercity Troll requires both green mana and generic mana to cast, so it functions optimally in decks that can reliably produce green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not excessively high, Undercity Troll’s mana cost may compete with other options at similar cost brackets that offer immediate impact or greater versatility on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Undercity Troll in Your Collection
Versatility: Undercity Troll is a flexible addition to any deck that appreciates an early board presence. Its regeneration ability ensures it stays on the field, making it a reliable blocker or attacker in various situations.
Combo Potential: As a creature with renown, Undercity Troll can grow stronger, which pairs well with strategies that capitalize on counters or creature buffs. This can lead to powerful synergies in both aggressive and midrange decks.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment dotted with small creatures, Undercity Troll can be a persistent threat that opponents must address. The regeneration ability in particular makes it a sturdy contender against removal-heavy decks.
How to Beat Undercity Troll
Undercity Troll is a versatile creature in MTG that combines both offensive and defensive capabilities. This regeneration-ready creature can be a real thorn in an opponent’s side, especially when it comes to maintaining a strong board presence. A key to overcoming this troll involves thwarting its regeneration ability, disrupting your opponent’s board, and preventing it from becoming overwhelming.
Employing spells that exile creatures, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can ensure that Undercity Troll does not return to haunt the battlefield. Alternatively, using spells that give -1/-1 counters, such as Languish or Toxic Deluge, can diminish its toughness and work around its regeneration. Another approach is to outpace the troll, focusing on a quick, aggressive strategy that can overwhelm an opponent before the troll can become a larger problem through its renown ability.
In summary, while Undercity Troll possesses resilience, there are numerous strategic paths to mitigate the card’s impact. Whether it’s by removals that bypass its regeneration or by adopting a quicker, more overwhelming game tactic, players can effectively handle this regenerating menace and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Undercity Troll MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Iconic Masters, 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 Undercity Troll 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
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Printings
The Undercity Troll Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by Jason Felix.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 202 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 2 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 188 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Undercity Troll has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Undercity Troll card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | If a creature with renown deals combat damage to its controller because that damage was redirected, renown will trigger. |
| 2015-06-22 | If a renown ability triggers, but the creature leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, the creature doesn’t become renowned. Any ability that triggers “whenever a creature becomes renowned” won’t trigger. |
| 2015-06-22 | Renown won’t trigger when a creature deals combat damage to a planeswalker or another creature. It also won’t trigger when a creature deals noncombat damage to a player. |