Unruly Mob MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 39
2016-04-08 - Number 47
2021-09-24 - Number 40
2022-01-28 - Number 40
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever another creature you control dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Unruly Mob.
"Who says werewolves are the only ones who can hunt as a pack?" —Kolman, elder of Gatstaf
Cards like Unruly Mob
Unruly Mob carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that thrives amidst chaos. Like Thraben Doomsayer and Hanweir Militia Captain which bolster their forces under certain conditions, Unruly Mob gains muscle each time a comrade falls in battle. The Doomsayer requires a more substantial board presence to capitalize on its ability to populate the field, while the Militia Captain requires a minimum squad size before it can transform into a potent threat.
Despite the similarities, Unruly Mob offers a more consistent growth in power due to its built-in mechanic which doesn’t rely on any specific board state or countdown, akin to Blood Artist, which also prospers from the demise of other creatures but through a different lens—draining life from opponents. Blood Artist has a more immediate effect on the game, whereas Unruly Mob demands survival and a steady stream of allies to achieve its potential.
At its core, Unruly Mob may not be the powerhouse that some comparables are, but its steady, incremental growth can make it a formidable force over time. It’s a card that rewards strategic creature deployment and turns the tide of sacrifice into a bolstering battle advantage.
Cards similar to Unruly Mob by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Unruly Mob. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Aggro | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While not directly providing card draw, Unruly Mob grows in strength with each creature you lose, which can indirectly lead to card advantage as it becomes a more formidable threat that requires opponents to deal with it, often at the expense of using additional resources.
Resource Acceleration: Unruly Mob might not increase your mana pool, but its growing power can be a form of resource acceleration in the sense that it becomes a more valuable asset on the board with every trigger of its ability. This allows you to focus your mana on other spells while your mob continuously grows stronger.
Instant Speed: Although Unruly Mob itself doesn’t have instant speed, it benefits from instant speed spells and events in the game. For example, casting an instant that results in creatures dying will immediately bolster the Mob’s power, even on your opponent’s turn, making it a surprise blocker or an unexpected threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When looking at the Unruly Mob card, one consideration is the absence of a discard requirement. In some scenarios, cards that compel players to discard can synergize with a deck’s strategy. Unruly Mob, lacking this dynamic, may not fit as well within decks built around discard mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: Unruly Mob demands white mana for casting. This specific mana cost can limit its inclusion in decks that do not have a strong white mana base or that prefer a more flexible, multi-colored mana allocation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although not excessively expensive, the mana cost for summoning Unruly Mob might be seen as high considering its base power and toughness. Players often seek lower-cost creatures with immediate board presence impact or those that offer greater utility than a relatively straightforward creature card.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Unruly Mob is an excellent addition to any white deck looking for resilience. As creatures control the battlefield and inevitably fall, Unruly Mob grows in power, becoming a more formidable threat with each lost ally.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in deck setups that feature sacrifice mechanics or strategies that involve creature tokens. Pairing Unruly Mob with cards that deliberately put creatures at risk can turn it into a powerhouse on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-based strategies often prevalent in the game, Unruly Mob fits into the meta by adapting and strengthening as the board state evolves. In matchups where attrition is common, it becomes increasingly valuable as a persistent threat that opponents must answer.
How to beat
Unruly Mob is a straightforward creature card that can become a substantial threat in Magic: The Gathering if left unchecked. This card thrives in combat-heavy situations where it gains power for every other creature that falls in battle. To effectively counter Unruly Mob, one should limit creature combat, employ removal spells before the Mob gets too large, or use exile effects to deal with it regardless of its size.
It’s essential to manage the battlefield and avoid unnecessary battles. Consider running board clearing spells or single-target removals like Path to Exile or Doom Blade to maintain control. Additionally, implementing effects that prevent creatures from dying or replacing them with tokens can minimize the Mob’s growth, stunting this snowballing threat. Cards like Rest in Peace can be particularly potent against a strategy that relies on triggering death-related abilities.
Ultimately, when countering Unruly Mob, the key is to employ a mix of preemptive control and direct answers. Whether through careful combat decisions or targeted removal, maintaining a clear board will keep Unruly Mob from becoming an unruly problem.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unruly Mob MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Unruly Mob 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Unruly Mob Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 39 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 3 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 4 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unruly Mob has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unruly Mob card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | If Unruly Mob and another creature you control die simultaneously (perhaps because they were both attacking or blocking), Unruly Mob won't be on the battlefield as its triggered ability resolves. It can't be saved by the +1/+1 counter that would have been put on it. |