Urborg Mindsucker MTG Card
1996-11-01 - Number 5
1997-02-03 - Number 71
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
, Sacrifice Urborg Mindsucker: Target opponent discards a card at random. Activate only as a sorcery.
"My pet will pick the ripe fruit from your tortured brain as if it were hanging from a vine." —Kaervek
Cards like Urborg Mindsucker
Urborg Mindsucker stands unique in the vast catalog of MTG cards with its blend of creature abilities and tactical advantages. It can be compared to cards like Hypnotic Specter, which shares the similar disruptive capability, forcing the opponent to discard cards at random whenever it deals damage. Nevertheless, Urborg Mindsucker distinguishes itself with the Volrath’s Dungeon synergy—allowing for more controlled discard effects compared to the random nature of Hypnotic Specter’s ability.
Delving into other comparisons, Liliana’s Specter comes to mind as it also instigates discard when it enters the battlefield. However, it affects each opponent, potentially influencing the entire board, whereas Urborg Mindsucker targets a single player, offering precision targeting. Another creature, Cackling Fiend, presents a discard effect upon entering the battlefield but lacks the offensive capabilities and the repeatable discard action that Urborg Mindsucker can initiate.
Ultimately, when analyzing Urborg Mindsucker alongside its counterparts, it’s apparent that it carves out a strategic position within MTG’s creature-based discard strategy, offering both a tactical edge and the prospect of disrupting key opponent plays.
Cards similar to Urborg Mindsucker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Urborg Mindsucker can be a valuable addition to your deck strategy, especially if card advantage is a key tactic. By forcing each opponent to discard, you can potentially cause them to lose important resources while you maintain control over the board and your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although Urborg Mindsucker itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its discard effect can pave the way for other cards in your deck that capitalize on your opponents having fewer cards in hand, therefore, accelerating your strategic advantage.
Instant Speed: The ability to use Urborg Mindsucker at instant speed allows for strategic depth during gameplay. You can wait for the most opportune moment, such as your opponent drawing a significant card, before forcing a discard, maximizing the potential impact of its effect.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Urborg Mindsucker prompts its owner to discard a card upon activation. For players aiming to maintain a full hand, this self-discard could be a steep price to pay, potentially costing you the game if you’re unable to recuperate your resources timely.
Specific Mana Cost: The Urborg Mindsucker card demands a stringent mana composition, requiring not just any mana but a devoted pair of black mana. This specialization restricts deck versatility and can challenge players who don’t consistently generate the necessary black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s cost of three mana, inclusive of the two black mana symbols, might seem moderate at first. However, when taking into account the overall effect and value gained, the Urborg Mindsucker may not measure up to other cards in the same mana range, potentially leading to less strategic advantages in gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Urborg Mindsucker can adapt to various gameplay situations. It can be used as a surprise blocker or to disrupt your opponent’s carefully crafted hand, affecting their strategy.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that profit from discarding cards. It can be paired with reanimation tactics or other effects that trigger when cards are sent to the graveyard from anywhere.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where hand size is crucial, Urborg Mindsucker can be a potent tool. It chips away at your opponent’s resources, which can be game-changing against decks that rely on specific card combinations.
How to beat
The Urborg Mindsucker is a unique threat that can upset traditional gameplay tactics in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card, it carries the potential to affect both the board state and a player’s hand, making it a versatile piece within black-themed decks. The trick to overcoming the Mindsucker lies in preemptive measures and strategic play. It’s essential to consider your timing when playing creatures and holding removal spells in reserve for key moments.
Allowing Urborg Mindsucker to activate its ability can be detrimental, as it whittles down your hand size and impacts your game plan. Therefore, prioritizing removal spells or abilities that can target the Mindsucker before its effect triggers is crucial. Cards with flash allow you to wait until your opponent’s turn to act, maintaining mana flexibility and possibly prompting a misplay from them. Moreover, instant-speed removal helps you navigate around the Mindsucker’s potential to disrupt your pace and flow.
Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of hand disruption and maintaining control of the board are fundamental in mitigating the disruptive power of Urborg Mindsucker. By being proactive and keeping instant-speed interactions at the ready, you can effectively neutralize this threat and keep your strategy on track.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Urborg Mindsucker MTG card by a specific set like Multiverse Gift Box and Visions, 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 Mindsucker 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 Mindsucker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-11-01 and 1997-02-03. Illustrated by DiTerlizzi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-11-01 | Multiverse Gift Box | MGB | 5 | 1997 | Normal | Black | DiTerlizzi | |
| 2 | 1997-02-03 | Visions | VIS | 71 | 1997 | Normal | Black | DiTerlizzi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Urborg Mindsucker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Urborg Mindsucker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | If you cast this as normal during your main phase, it will enter the battlefield and you’ll receive priority. If no abilities trigger because of this, you can activate its ability immediately, before any other player has a chance to remove it from the battlefield. |