Undercity's Embrace MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 89
2019-11-07 - Number 805
2024-01-12 - Number 96
2020-09-26 - Number RNA-89
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target opponent sacrifices a creature. If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, you gain 4 life.
The undercity is always hungry.
Cards like Undercity's Embrace
Undercity’s Embrace is an intriguing option for creature control within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in effect are cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures, such as Diabolic Edict. Undercity’s Embrace requires the sacrifice of a creature, but it stands out by offering a potential life gain if the controlling player has creature supremacy on the battlefield.
Another comparison could be drawn with Chainer’s Edict. While Chainer’s Edict also compels a creature sacrifice, it boasts flashback, providing another chance later in the game at a different cost. Contrasting with Undercity’s Embrace, which has a one-off effect but costs less. Then we have Innocent Blood, similar in impact but as a symmetric effect, where all players must sacrifice a creature, unlike Undercity’s Embrace that targets an opponent.
Overall, Undercity’s Embrace is a card that offers strategic creature removal with the potential for life gain. It finds its niche in smaller decks that aim to outnumber their opponents, proving its worth in the right context among other sacrifice-triggered MTG spells.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Undercity’s Embrace forces your opponent to sacrifice a creature, potentially tipping the creature count in your favor. This shift can provide a significant advantage, as you retain your creatures while depleting your opponent’s board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly offering resource acceleration, the card’s effect indirectly aids in board state acceleration. By removing your opponent’s creatures, you pave the way for your own creatures to attack without obstruction, accelerating the potential to deal damage and control the game’s pace.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed allows for strategic flexibility. You can cast Undercity’s Embrace during your opponent’s turn, which could disrupt their plans or serve as a surprise defense mechanism, especially if they’re committing to a big attack or trying to execute a combo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Forcing an opponent to discard a card only if you control a creature with power 4 or greater presents a potential hurdle. This condition must be fulfilled to leverage the card effectively, potentially leading to a missed opportunity should your board state not support it.
Specific Mana Cost: Undercity’s Embrace requires a precise combination of one black mana and two generic mana, which can be restrictive. Decks that do not run efficiently on black mana may find it difficult to incorporate this card without compromising their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana for an effect that is contingent on you controlling a strong creature, it could be inefficient compared to other removal options. Players may prefer spells that provide immediate and guaranteed creature removal or sacrifice effects for the same or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include Undercity’s Embrace in Your Collection
Versatility: Undercity’s Embrace offers flexibility with its instant speed, allowing players to disrupt opponents’ strategies during their turn. This black spell fits nicely into various decks, particularly those looking to control the board and maintain pressure.
Combo Potential: The Edict effect, forcing an opponent to sacrifice a creature, synergizes well with decks that capitalize on death triggers or require opponents to have fewer creatures on the battlefield to enable certain combos or conditions.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creatures play a pivotal role, Undercity’s Embrace shines by providing an answer to indestructible and hexproof threats. Its relevance increases against decks that rely on a limited number of significant creatures.
How to beat Undercity’s Embrace
Undercity’s Embrace is an intriguing instant card that forces an opponent to sacrifice a creature if you have the city’s blessing. To effectively combat this card, it’s crucial to maintain creature diversity on the battlefield. Having multiple, expendable creatures will dilute the impact of the sacrifice effect, preventing the loss of your key creatures.
Another tactic is to employ instant-speed spells that can protect your important creatures or counterspells that can intercept and nullify Undercity’s Embrace before it takes effect. It’s also beneficial to keep an eye on your opponent’s ascend mechanic, which can lead to them achieving the city’s blessing. Responding swiftly before they reach ten permanents can be an essential preventative measure.
Lastly, holding onto creature tokens or low-value creatures as potential sacrifice fodder can help ensure that Undercity’s Embrace does not disrupt your strategic setup. By planning ahead and maintaining control over the battlefield’s dynamics, you can mitigate the effects of this imposing card and maintain your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Undercity's Embrace MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Mystery Booster, 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's Embrace and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Undercity's Embrace Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Tyler Walpole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Walpole | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 805 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Walpole | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | RNA-89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Walpole | ||
| 4 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 96 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Walpole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Undercity's Embrace has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Undercity's Embrace card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | Whether you control a creature with power 4 or greater is checked only after your opponent has sacrificed a creature. If a creature you own with power 4 or greater was exiled until the sacrificed creature left the battlefield, that creature will return to the battlefield before the check, so it will count. However, any abilities that trigger on the sacrificed creature’s death won’t have resolved yet when you check what creatures you control. |
| 2019-01-25 | You can still gain 4 life even if the target opponent can’t sacrifice a creature. |
| 2019-01-25 | You gain only 4 life, even if you control more than one creature with power 4 or greater. |