Urborg Stalker MTG Card

Urborg Stalker’s instant speed disrupts opponents’ gameplay, making it a flexible and strategic asset. The card’s discard action provides a psychological advantage and potential for direct card advantage. Flexibility in a variety of strategies solidifies its position as a unique and valuable MTG card.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Horror
Released	1997-06-09
Set symbol
Set name	Weatherlight
Set code	WTH
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	85
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cliff Nielsen

Text of card

During each player's upkeep, if that player controls any nonblack permanents other than lands, Urborg Stalker deals 1 damage to that player.

"May you be a stalker's dream." —Urborg curse

Cards like Urborg Stalker

Urborg Stalker stands as a noteworthy example of a creature with a damage-dealing ability in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors the enchantment prowess of cards like Pestilence, which allows players to inflict damage on each creature and each player. Where Urborg Stalker varies lies in the fact that it only targets one opponent, providing a more focused approach to whittling down an adversary’s life total.

In a parallel lane, we see the Dread, a creature card that functions as both a deterrent and a destroyer, punishing opponents for creature losses. Unlike the Stalker, Dread requires its controller’s graveyard to be stocked, yet it offers a more substantial board presence. Then, there’s the Blood Reckoning, another piece with similarities, though it acts more passively, by dealing damage whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, lacking the proactive offensive edge of Urborg Stalker.

Altogether, analyzing these options solidifies Urborg Stalker’s place in MTG as a unique threat. Its consistent ability to damage opponents can be pivotal in games where keeping the board clear of creatures is critical.

Cards similar to Urborg Stalker by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When playing Urborg Stalker, the ability to disrupt your opponent’s hand can unexpectedly yield card advantage. As they lose valuable pieces, your strategic position improves.

Resource Acceleration: While the Urborg Stalker itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it can slow down your opponent’s resource development by forcing discards, effectively giving you a quicker path to overwhelming them with your own resources.

Instant Speed: The threat of activating Urborg Stalker’s ability at instant speed compels opponents to play around it, potentially hindering their ability to optimize their turns and maintain a tempo. The power of instant speed lies in the flexibility it provides you during gameplay, keeping your adversaries on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Urborg Stalker necessitates a discard from the player, which could be a punitive tradeoff, especially in game strategies where hand size is critical to maintaining an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a combination of black mana and generic mana to play, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that are heavily based in black or that can reliably produce the necessary mana colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side for the effects it delivers, players might find that lower-cost alternatives or those with a better cost-to-effect ratio could be more strategically beneficial for their deck’s overall performance.

Reasons to Include Urborg Stalker in Your Collection

Versatility: Urborg Stalker can adapt to a range of strategies with its unique ability to pressure opponents just by being on the board. This can compel action in decks focused on control or attrition.

Combo Potential: This card has potential to act as a pivotal piece in combos that exploit life total changes, aligning with abilities or cards that trigger on such events.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are drawn out or there’s a prevalence of strategies without widespread creature threats, Urborg Stalker’s consistent life loss can significantly tilt the scales in your favor over time.

How to beat Urborg Stalker

Urborg Stalker is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering that can put a clock on your opponent with its ability to deal damage during upkeep. When facing this shadowy menace, the best strategy is to remove it swiftly from the battlefield. Cards with instant-speed removal, like Swords to Plowshares or Lightning Bolt, can efficiently dispatch the Stalker before its ability triggers. Enchantment-based removals such as Oblivion Ring also offer a solution, albeit at a slower pace.

Alternatively, racing against an Urborg Stalker with aggressive strategies can be effective. Overwhelming the board with creatures forces your opponent to defend rather than rely on the Stalker’s effect for a win. Additionally, utilizing damage prevention or lifegain tactics with cards like Essence Warden or Riot Control can nullify the steady drain of your life total, diminishing the Stalker’s threat.

Strategic deck building and holding up mana for the right moment to remove or counterbalance Urborg Stalker’s effect can turn this daunting challenge into a manageable one. Keep these tips in mind and you can neutralize the threat it poses, maintaining control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Urborg Stalker MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Stalker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Urborg Stalker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-04-01	This ability checks whether the player controls any nonblack, nonland permanents twice: once when it would trigger, and once when it resolves. If all the player’s nonland permanents are black at the time the ability would trigger, it doesn’t trigger at all. If all the player’s nonland permanents are black at the time the ability would resolve, it’s countered.
2008-04-01	Urborg Stalker’s ability will trigger at the beginning of your upkeep as well.