Urbis Protector MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 27
2017-03-17 - Number 27
2018-03-16 - Number 37
2024-01-12 - Number 33
2024-02-23 - Number 79
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Urbis Protector enters the battlefield, put a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
"I hear that Boros is losing its angels to the Gateless Movement. I'm sure this comes as no surprise to you." —Teysa, to Lazav
Cards like Urbis Protector
The Urbis Protector is a unique creature in MTG, bringing a distinct advantage when it enters the battlefield: It creates a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying. This is akin to Geist-Honored Monk, a card that similarly produces two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying. While the monk provides multiple bodies, the Protector’s single token presents a more formidable individual threat.
Another card worth mentioning is Captain of the Watch. This card also supports a strategy of populating the battlefield with tokens, especially given its ability to muster three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens upon entering the play area. And, like the Urbis Protector, it fortifies your forces, albeit with a focus on quantity rather than the quality of a singular, powerful token.
Evaluating the collective merits of these cards, it’s clear that Urbis Protector offers a substantial presence on the board with its angel token, making it a strategic choice for MTG decks that capitalize on powerful individual threats and aerial superiority.
Cards similar to Urbis Protector by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Urbis Protector hits the battlefield, it generates immediate value by creating a colossal 4/4 flying Angel creature token. This essentially gives you two threats in one card, providing a significant edge against your opponent by expanding your board presence without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Urbis Protector itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the creation of a high-impact creature without additional mana investment can allow you to allocate resources elsewhere. This enables more flexible play, letting you use mana to control the board or further your game plan in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: Although Urbis Protector is a creature that can only be cast at sorcery speed, its Angel token can be a surprise blocker in the next turn cycle. The sudden appearance of a large flying token can disrupt an opponent’s attack and provides a defensive capability that comparable to the utility of instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Urbis Protector demands that your hand be prepared to let go of another card, which could be taxing when you’re trying to maintain a full grip of options.
Specific Mana Cost: With a steadfast requirement of both white mana and a total of six mana to deploy, the Urbis Protector may not slide smoothly into multicolored or mana-tight strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing six mana into a single creature could backfire, especially when opponents can deploy multiple threats or disrupt yours for less. In fast-paced matches, this mana investment could be a steep hill to climb.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Urbis Protector is a solid addition to decks that thrive on creature presence. As a creature that generates a potent Angel token upon entering the battlefield, it can slot into a variety of strategies from token swarm to life gain or even control decks looking for defensive value.
Combo Potential: With the right synergies, Urbis Protector can be a key piece in a powerful engine. For instance, in a blink or reanimator deck, you could repeatedly trigger its ability to produce 4/4 flying Angel tokens — an avenue for overwhelming your opponents or for enhancing strategies built around ETB (Enter the Battlefield) triggers.
Meta-Relevance: Despite not being the top pick in all metas, the Protector holds its own in environments where board presence and token generation are important. In a meta where midrange decks with a focus on creature value are prevalent, Urbis Protector can potentially offer substantial board impact and pressure to keep pace with the competition.
How to beat
Urbis Protector is a unique creature card that introduces a powerful Angel token into the battlefield upon entering. Dealing with such a card effectively requires strategic plays. Targeted removals, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are efficient methods to eliminate the Angel token without substantial cost. Alternatively, countering the Urbis Protector itself before its ability triggers is a proactive approach, utilizing spells like Negate or Mana Leak.
Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the tokens and the Protector from the board, acting as a reset button in case the Angels become overwhelming. In limited formats, combat tricks paired with creatures of sufficient size can often trade with the token, though the cost is usually at the loss of the creature used to block. It’s essential to manage the threats before the token’s presence dominates the game state.
Considering the Urbis Protector’s impact on a match, swift and decisive actions are key. Prioritizing removal for either the token or the Protector itself is crucial, as letting the Angel token accrue advantages for the opponent might result in an unrecoverable game. Hence, knowing when and how to disrupt this card’s strategy becomes vital in securing victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Urbis Protector MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Urbis Protector 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 Urbis Protector Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 27 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 2 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 27 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 3 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 37 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 4 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 33 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 5 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Urbis Protector has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |