Urgoros, the Empty One MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 109
2018-04-27 - Number 109s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Specter |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Urgoros, the Empty One deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card at random. If the player can't, you draw a card.
As the phantom flies overhead, the city of Vhelnish screams in silence.
Cards like Urgoros, the Empty One
Urgoros, the Empty One stands out in the spectrum of Magic: The Gathering specter creatures. With a unique ability to force an opponent to discard when it deals combat damage, it finds kinship with cards like Liliana’s Specter. Yet, Urgoros, the Empty One elevates the mechanic by drawing you a card if the opponent has no cards left in hand – a trait Liliana’s Specter does not share.
Another comparable card is Hypnotic Specter, an MTG classic that also causes discard upon dealing damage, with a smaller body but at a lower casting cost. While Hypnotic Specter provides early-game pressure, Urgoros offers late-game staying power and the potential card advantage when your foes are resource-depleted. Additionally, Silent Specter is comparable due to its Morph cost and the discard ability when it deals damage, though it lacks Urgoros’s card draw potential.
Between these related specters, Urgoros, the Empty One holds a unique position. It’s not just a tool for hand disruption but also a means for potential card draw, making it a compelling choice for deck builders looking to capitalize on both discard strategies and late-game advantages.
Cards similar to Urgoros, the Empty One by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Urgoros, the Empty One stands out by offering a consistent source of card advantage. When dealing combat damage to a player, it compels opponent discards, potentially stripping away their vital strategies while replenishing your hand if they can’t discard.
Resource Acceleration: While Urgoros itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it indirectly pressures resource management by forcing opponents to lose cards. This can lead to a significant slowdown in their game plan, allowing you to capitalize on their diminished hand size.
Instant Speed: While not at instant speed, Urgoros commands a powerful presence on the battlefield that must be answered immediately. This often results in opponents expending their instant speed removal on it, thereby clearing the way for your other threats or strategies to proceed uninterrupted.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When Urgoros, the Empty One deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card at random. This trigger is conditional upon dealing combat damage, which can be challenging if facing a deck with multiple creatures or high-defensive capabilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Urgoros requires a mix of generic and black mana to cast. The need for two black mana symbols in its casting cost can make it challenging to fit into multicolored decks that are not heavily black-focused.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Urgoros enters the battlefield later in the game. This high mana investment may not align with the pace of aggressive or fast-paced decks where lower cost creatures could provide a quicker impact on the game.
Reasons to Include Urgoros, the Empty One in Your Collection
Versatility: Urgoros, the Empty One offers a flexible role in any black-focused or multicolored deck, serving as both an aggressive flyer and a source of hand disruption for your opponent.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that capitalize on discarding or death triggers, Urgoros can become a key component, tipping the scales in your favor by depriving your opponent of resources while you gain an advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a landscape teeming with strategies that hoard cards, Urgoros shines as a counterpoint. It chips away at an opponent’s hand, disrupting their tactics and making it a valuable card in matchups against control or combo decks reliant on specific synergies.
How to Beat Urgoros, the Empty One
Urgoros, the Empty One presents a unique challenge with its combination of flying, leaving opponents a card short upon dealing combat damage. Unmasking strategies that lessen Urgoros’s effect or outright neutralize it can be pivotal. Efficient removal spells are fundamental in dealing with such threats. Consider spot removal like Cast Down, which sidesteps the legendary clause and represents a cost-effective way to mitigate the impact of Urgoros.
Alternatively, keeping your hand stocked ensures that Urgoros’s ability won’t be crippling. Opt for spells that draw cards consistently, like Opt or Serum Visions. Another angle is to make Urgoros less relevant by reducing interaction—play cards that don’t rely on the graveyard or your hand’s size. Finally, utilizing enchantments or artifacts that restrict attacking or deal damage to attacking creatures can deter an opponent from sending Urgoros your way. Tools like Ghostly Prison or Propaganda can serve as deterrents, as increasing the cost to attack can influence your opponent’s game plan significantly.
Facing down Urgoros, the Empty One demands a balanced approach with proactive defense and reactive control. With the right techniques, the specter of Urgoros can be dispelled, allowing you to retain command of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Urgoros, the Empty One MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Dominaria Promos, 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 Urgoros, the Empty One and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Urgoros, the Empty One Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria Promos | PDOM | 109s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Urgoros, the Empty One has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Urgoros, the Empty One card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | If that player has one card in hand, it’s discarded at random (even though that’s not very random). You won’t draw a card. |