Underworld Breach MTG Card

Allows casting spells from the graveyard, enabling myriad strategic gameplay opportunities and resource recuperation. Escape mechanic repurposes the graveyard into an extended hand, fundamentally altering mana and spell interactions. Increases deck versatility and combo potential across diverse MTG archetypes, sustaining competitive relevance in ever-evolving metagames.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Each nonland card in your graveyard has escape. The escape cost is equal to the card's mana cost plus exile three other cards from your graveyard. (You may cast cards from your graveyard for their escape cost.) At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Underworld Breach.

Cards like Underworld Breach

Underworld Breach stands out in the world of MTG as a potent enabler for combo strategies, providing players with repeatable access to their graveyard. This card bears a resemblance to Past in Flames, another spell that gives previously cast spells a second life. Yet, Underworld Breach allows for a broader array of graveyard interactions, granting the ability to cast virtually any card from the graveyard for an additional cost.

Yawgmoth’s Will is also a widely known parallel, with its one-time chance to utilize the graveyard as a resource. Contrasting with Underworld Breach, which can be used multiple times in a single turn, Yawgmoth’s Will is a single-use powerhouse. Meanwhile, Breach demands continuous escape costs but gives the flexibility to play several spells on a single turn if set up correctly. Finally, Snapcaster Mage offers a more targeted approach to recasting spells from the graveyard by giving a single instant or sorcery flashback, but lacks the broad scope and repeat use offered by Underworld Breach.

When looking at the landscape of graveyard-utilizing cards, Underworld Breach is a unique tool that can turn the tide of a game, particularly for those crafty enough to build around its escape mechanic and maximize its potential across multiple turns.

Past in Flames - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Will - MTG Card versions
Snapcaster Mage - MTG Card versions
Past in Flames - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Will - MTG Card versions
Snapcaster Mage - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Underworld Breach. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Temur ProwessTemur Prowess ModernTemur ProwessModern Challenge 64 2024-04-28
Jeskai ProwessJeskai Prowess ModernJeskai ProwessModern League 2024-04-29
Gruul ProwessGruul Prowess ModernGruul ProwessModern Challenge 64 2024-04-28
Izzet ProwessIzzet Prowess ModernIzzet ProwessModern Challenge 64 2024-04-29
Rakdos BreachRakdos Breach ModernRakdos BreachModern League 2024-04-28

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Underworld Breach provides an extraordinary opportunity to churn through your deck by letting you play cards out of your graveyard. This grants you access to a vast number of strategies by reusing resources that would otherwise be unavailable, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.

Resource Acceleration: Thanks to this card’s unique escape mechanic, your graveyard transforms into a treasure trove. This increases your access to your spells and essentially multiplies the potential of your mana resources, breaking the conventional pace of the game and accelerating your gameplay.

Instant Speed: This enchantment can be played at a more flexible pace which, while not instant itself, allows you to utilize the spells in your graveyard at instant speed. This adaptability can keep opponents guessing and gives you the potential to respond swiftly to the changing battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Underworld Breach may be challenging since you’re required to exile three other cards from your graveyard each time you cast a spell from it. This can significantly deplete your resources, especially in decks that do not fill their graveyard quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a mana cost that includes red can be restrictive. Decks that don’t run red or have limited mana fixing may struggle to consistently cast Underworld Breach when it’s most needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its powerful potential, Underworld Breach comes with a cost that may seem steep for its effect. There are alternative enablers and recursion options available that might not offer the same breadth of abilities but require fewer resources to utilize effectively.

Reasons to Include Underworld Breach in Your Collection

Versatility: Underworld Breach offers a wide range of applications across various types of decks. It allows players to play cards from their graveyard, providing a significant advantage in resource utilization and recovery of key spells for another use.

Combo Potential: This card excels in its ability to enable explosive combos. It pairs well with cards that fill the graveyard rapidly, setting the stage for game-winning plays. The synergy with cards designed for self-mill strategies or dredge mechanics can be particularly potent.

Meta-Relevance: With ever-changing MTG metagames, Underworld Breach maintains relevance due to its disruptive nature against control strategies and its potential to quickly end games. Whether you’re facing graveyard-based strategies or looking to capitalize on the value of your own, it’s a card that can adapt and thrive in various meta conditions.

How to beat Underworld Breach

Underworld Breach has emerged as a powerful engine in MTG, enabling players to cast spells from their graveyard for an additional cost. Its escalating potency as games progress make it a formidable tool, especially when combined with cards that fill the graveyard rapidly. However, not all is lost when facing this enchantment; understanding its mechanics is key to countering it.

To effectively counter Underworld Breach, graveyard interaction is critical. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Leyline of the Void disrupt graveyard strategies, rendering Underworld Breach much less effective. Timing is also essential; instant-speed removal like Disenchant or Feed the Swarm can be used in response to the enchantment’s casting, thwarting your opponent’s plans before they get a chance to capitalize on its benefits.

Moreover, controlling the pace of the game is vital. Aggressive strategies that pressure the opponent can limit their ability to set up and utilize Underworld Breach optimally. Quick, targeted discard effects such as Thoughtseize can pre-emptively remove Underworld Breach from your opponent’s hand, diminishing their potential explosive plays. In essence, staying proactive and interactive with your opponent’s graveyard resources is the strategic linchpin to dismantling the power of Underworld Breach.

BurnMana Recommendations

Magic the Gathering aficionados understand that each card holds potential for incredible strategies. Underworld Breach is a standout enchantment that can revolutionize your gameplay with its unique escape mechanic. The card empowers you to exploit your graveyard, turning it into a formidable arsenal of spells ready to be unleashed anew. To maximize its potential, consider integrating cards that fuel your graveyard or pairing it with spells that benefit from being played multiple times. MTG is a game of wits and strategy, and Underworld Breach could be the keystone in a deck that leads you to victory. Dive deeper with us and weave this card into your winning deck composition.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Underworld Breach MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death, 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 Underworld Breach and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Underworld Breach Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 799772015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
22020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 1612015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
32020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 161p2015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
42020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 161s2015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
52020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 3242015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
62023-11-17Special GuestsSPG 92015NormalBorderlessPiotr Dura

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Underworld Breach has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyBanned
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerBanned
GladiatorLegal
PioneerBanned
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Underworld Breach card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-01-24 After an escaped spell resolves, it returns to its owner’s graveyard if it’s not a permanent spell. If it is a permanent spell, it enters the battlefield and will return to its owner’s graveyard if it dies later. Perhaps it will escape again—good underworld security is so hard to come by these days.
2020-01-24 Escape’s permission doesn’t change when you may cast the spell from your graveyard.
2020-01-24 If a card has multiple abilities giving you permission to cast it, such as two escape abilities or an escape ability and a flashback ability, you choose which one to apply. The others have no effect.
2020-01-24 If a card has no mana cost, its escape cost is an unpayable cost, so you can’t cast it for that cost.
2020-01-24 If a card with escape is put into your graveyard during your turn, you’ll be able to cast it right away if it’s legal to do so, before an opponent can take any actions.
2020-01-24 If a spell you’re casting with escape has an additional cost of discarding cards or sacrificing permanents, you may exile cards discarded or sacrificed this way to pay that part of its escape cost.
2020-01-24 If you cast a spell with its escape permission, you can’t choose to apply any other alternative costs or to cast it without paying its mana cost. If it has any additional costs, you must pay those.
2020-01-24 If you’re casting an adventurer card or split card with escape, you choose how you wish to cast it, then pay the appropriate cost (for the Adventure, the creature, or the half of the split card you chose) plus exiling three cards.
2020-01-24 Once you begin casting a spell with escape, it immediately moves to the stack. Players can’t take any other actions until you’re done casting the spell.
2020-01-24 To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying (such as an escape cost), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The converted mana cost of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was and no matter whether an alternative cost was paid.