Urza's Blueprints MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 137
2023-01-13 - Number 238
2023-01-13 - Number 391
2020-09-26 - Number ULG-137
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
| Abilities | Echo |
Text of card
Echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.) oc T: Draw a card.
From concept to paper to reality.
Cards like Urza's Blueprints
In the intricate world of MTG, Urza’s Blueprints is a unique selection among mana acceleration and card advantage artifacts. It bears a resemblance to other artifacts that draw cards, such as Jayemdae Tome, which also allows card drawing at the expense of mana. Nonetheless, Urza’s Blueprints elevates the concept by granting the ability to draw multiple cards, provided sufficient mana sources are present.
Another artifact that enters the comparison is Staff of Nin. Much like Urza’s Blueprints, the Staff provides a steady stream of card advantage but does so with the added benefit of direct damage capabilities. Though the initial cost of Staff of Nin is higher, it lacks the Echo cost found in Urza’s Blueprints which can be both a blessing and a burden depending on the player’s strategy and board state.
Contemplating the scope of like artifacts, Urza’s Blueprints finds its distinct position within the sphere of MTG. It is favored for the potential of massive card draw, which can be a game changer for players able to balance the additional upkeep costs associated with its Echo feature.
Cards similar to Urza's Blueprints by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Urza’s Blueprints is designed with the ability to bolster your hand, providing a steady stream of new cards each turn. This consistent access to more options can decisively tilt the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Beyond its card drawing capability, this artifact can be an invaluable asset in ramping up your resources. It enables you to untap it for a fresh supply of mana, propelling you ahead by allowing the deployment of bigger threats or key spells earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: One of the real strengths of Urza’s Blueprints lies in its flexibility. The ability to use its card-drawing effect at instant speed gives you the power to adapt to the unfolding game. This means you can end your opponent’s turn with more resources in hand, ensuring that you’re never caught off guard and always playing with a full grip of possibilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Urza’s Blueprints can feel restrictive as the card asks you to discard a piece from your hand to activate its ability. For players who are running on low card resources, this drawback can hinder gameplay and force tough decisions.
Specific Mana Cost: With its specific mana cost allocation, including two blue mana, Urza’s Blueprints may not seamlessly fit into multicolored deck strategies. This can limit the card’s flexibility across various deck types and potentially exclude it from decks that cannot accommodate such mana specificity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As an investment of six mana, the initial cost of Urza’s Blueprints is on the higher side, especially when compared to alternatives that might offer card draw for less. This can impact its playability in fast-paced games where efficiency is key to outpacing opponents.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Urza’s Blueprints offers flexible utility in various deck archetypes, notably in control or engine-based strategies that prioritize card advantage.
Combo Potential: As an artifact with a powerful card-drawing ability, it synergizes well with strategies that untap permanents or look to capitalize on having numerous artifacts in play.
Meta-Relevance: Given how shifting metagames can favor decks with access to consistent card draw, Urza’s Blueprints is a strong inclusion in environments where grinding out value is pivotal to outpacing opponents.
How to beat
Urza’s Blueprints is a unique artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering that offers a powerful card drawing advantage. When activated, it allows you to draw a significant number of cards at once. However, to swing the tide in your favor against Urza’s Blueprints, there are effective strategies to impair its impact on the game.
Targeted artifact removal spells are a solid approach, as cards like Disenchant or Naturalize can directly address the artifact on the battlefield, eliminating the threat before the opponent can reap the benefits. Another tactic is to employ counterspells such as Negate when the opponent attempts to cast or activate the artifact, preventing the immediate card advantage it could provide.
Moreover, putting pressure on your opponent through aggressive creatures or strategies can force them to use resources in defense rather than investing in the activation cost of Urza’s Blueprints. This way, you can gain a strategic advantage while the artifact remains dormant on the battlefield. Ultimately, being proactive and disruptive is key to overcoming the potentially game-swinging effects of Urza’s Blueprints.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Urza's Blueprints MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and The List, 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 Urza's Blueprints 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Urza's Blueprints Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Tom Wänerstrand.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 137 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | ULG-137 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | ||
| 3 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 4 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 391 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Urza's Blueprints has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |