Urborg Emissary MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 131
2005-08-22 - Number E50
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Kicker o1o U (You may pay an additional o1o U as you play this spell.) When Urborg Emissary comes into play, if you paid the kicker cost, return target permanent to its owner's hand.
Cards like Urborg Emissary
Urborg Emissary has nuances that make it an intriguing choice among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. A comparison could be drawn with Man-o’-War, a classic card that similarly returns a creature to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield. Unlike Man-o’-War, Urborg Emissary offers the flexibility of a kicker cost, which if paid, allows you to return an additional nonland permanent to its owner’s hand. This added layer can be a game-changer, making Urborg Emissary a more versatile tool in control strategies.
Another comparable card is Exclusion Mage. Just like our Emissary, Exclusion Mage bounces a creature back to its owner’s hand when it comes into play. However, Exclusion Mage does not allow the targeting of nonland permanents and lacks the kicker option, straightforwardly providing a single effect at a lower cost. This makes Urborg Emissary a potentially higher impact card in longer games where maximizing card advantage is key.
Assessing Urborg Emissary in the realm of Magic: The Gathering creature cards, it becomes apparent that its strength lies in its flexibility and the potential to affect the board state profoundly when utilizing its kicker option. This positioning allows it to be a valuable card choice in decks that aim to control tempo and outlast opponents.
Cards similar to Urborg Emissary by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Urborg Emissary offers a viable way to disrupt opponent strategies while maintaining your hand count, which is key in controlling the pace of the game.
Resource Acceleration: As a black card, the value of Urborg Emissary increases when combined with various resource acceleration tools inherent to the color, enhancing your ability to play high-cost spells earlier.
Instant Speed: Although Urborg Emissary itself may not be cast at instant speed, it can interact favorably with instant-speed spells in your deck, integrating seamlessly into the fluid playstyle of control decks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Urborg Emissary forces players to discard a card when utilizing its kicker ability. This trade-off can hinder your game strategy, especially if your hand is already depleted or the discarded card is crucial to your gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both black and blue mana, the Urborg Emissary necessitates a dual-color deck. This can potentially restrict the card’s integration into decks that are not built around both mana types, reducing its overall utility in a mono-colored strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three generic mana and one black mana, this card’s cost is on the higher side for its effect and body. Players may find that there are other cards at the same or lower cost bracket that could offer more impactful results or synergize better with their deck’s overall scheme.
Reasons to Include Urborg Emissary in Your Collection
Versatility: Urborg Emissary is a multifaceted card that can be slotted into various deck builds. Whether you’re playing casually or strategizing for a competitive game, this card can serve as a utility player in many scenarios due to its ability to manipulate both the board and your hand.
Combo Potential: This card is known for its capacity to unlock powerful combos. With its kicker ability that bounces an opponent’s permanents, it can disrupt their plays while setting up your own board for a win. It synergizes well with effects that capitalize on bouncing and replaying spells or creatures for maximum impact.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-evolving gameplay within the MTG community, a card like Urborg Emissary maintains relevance. It’s particularly useful when facing decks that rely heavily on specific permanents. By temporarily removing key pieces, you can gain the upper hand and swing the game in your favor.
How to beat
Urborg Emissary poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. Despite not being widely known as one of the powerhouse cards in Magic: The Gathering, it has the potential to disrupt your game plan with its ability to return a permanent to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield. This temporary removal effect can unseat your strategies, especially if you rely heavily on key permanents to stay in play.
To effectively counter this card, consider utilizing instant-speed removals or counterspells the moment Urborg Emissary is cast. This preemptive strategy can save your crucial permanents from being bounced back to your hand, maintaining your board presence. Moreover, including cards with hexproof or shroud in your deck can protect your assets from being targeted by such abilities. Moreover, since Urborg Emissary’s ability is not optional, playing with no valuable targets on your side can sometimes turn its entrance into a disadvantage for your opponent. Always be mindful of your board state when an opponent has the mana to cast Urborg Emissary, and plan accordingly to mitigate its impact.
Therefore, while Urborg Emissary can be a fly in the ointment, with the right tactics and a careful approach to board management, you can navigate around its inconvenience and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Urborg Emissary MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Salvat 2005, 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 Urborg Emissary 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 Urborg Emissary Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Eric Peterson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 131 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E50 | 2003 | Normal | White | Eric Peterson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Urborg Emissary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |