Urza's Incubator MTG Card


Slashes creature costs, allowing more gameplay moves and strategic advantage over your opponent with a filled board presence. Not limited to creatures drawn; cost reduction applies instantly, fostering quicker reaction and adaptation in-game. Restricts deck design to certain creature types, potentially narrowing in-game strategies and versatility against diverse decks.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

When Urza's Incubator comes into play, choose a creature type. Creature spells of the chosen type cost less to play.

"Stop thinking like an artificer, Urza, and start thinking like a father!" —Rayne, Academy Chancellor


Cards like Urza's Incubator

Urza’s Incubator is a uniquely powerful artifact in Magic: The Gathering that reduces the cost of creature spells of a chosen type. It’s often likened to other cost-reducing cards such as Herald’s Horn, which also makes creatures of a specific type less expensive to cast. However, Urza’s Incubator is distinguished by its broader application, affecting all creature spells of the chosen type rather than just the ones you draw.

Another comparable artifact is Cloud Key. Like Urza’s Incubator, it focuses on cost reduction, but it’s not limited to creature spells, offering flexibility across different spell types. While Cloud Key applies to any chosen spell type, its reduction is limited to one less mana, whereas Urza’s Incubator reduces by two, making it more impactful for higher-cost creatures.

Finally, we talk about Semblance Anvil, which also reduces casting costs, but it requires exiling a card from your hand, which is a significant upfront cost. Unlike Urza’s Incubator, Semblance Anvil affects all spells you cast that share a card type with the exiled card. This choice can lead to tougher decision-making about resource management in your deck.

Comparing these artifacts, it’s evident that Urza’s Incubator holds a special place for tribal decks looking to accelerate their gameplay and overwhelm opponents with efficiently costed creatures.

Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Cloud Key - MTG Card versions
Semblance Anvil - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Cloud Key - MTG Card versions
Semblance Anvil - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Urza's Incubator by color, type and mana cost

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Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Urza's Incubator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
ColorlessColorless VintageVintage League 2024-01-21

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Urza’s Incubator is a cornerstone in decks that rely on a specific creature type, reducing the casting cost of each creature of that type by two mana. This reduction means that players can efficiently deploy more creatures, enhancing their board presence and hand flexibility, leading to significant card advantage over opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact’s cost reduction effect is a form of resource acceleration, mimicking the effect of having additional lands in play. By reducing mana costs, it allows for more efficient use of available mana. This can play a pivotal role in casting multiple spells in a turn or saving resources for reactive plays.

Instant Speed: While Urza’s Incubator itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its persistent effect on the board can instantly benefit newly drawn creatures of the chosen type. Once in play, the cost reduction applies right away, thereby speeding up the player’s ability to respond and adapt during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Urza’s Incubator does not directly require discarding cards, it does necessitate having a defined creature type to capitalize on its cost-reduction effect. This can limit deck building options and leave the player at a disadvantage if they are not running a creature-type-focused deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Urza’s Incubator asks for a specific investment of three mana, which includes generic mana but can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that might struggle with the colorless mana requirement, especially in the early game when mana-fixing is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment of three mana for Urza’s Incubator is relatively high when considering its utility is contingent upon further creature plays. In games where tempo is vital, the mana spent on Urza’s Incubator could potentially be used for immediate threats or responses rather than a long-term cost reduction.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Urza’s Incubator is renowned for its ability to seamlessly integrate into various tribal decks. By reducing the cost of creature spells of the chosen type, it enables a smoother and more efficient gameplay regardless of the creature type your deck is focusing on.

Combo Potential: This artifact excels in combination with other cards that benefit from casting numerous creatures, like “Glimpse of Nature” or “Aluren.” Deploying creatures en masse becomes more feasible, making Urza’s Incubator an excellent springboard for powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames festooned with tribal decks, Urza’s Incubator stands out as a pivotal card. Adjusting to the ever-changing meta, it can offer a significant advantage by accelerating your game plan, outpacing opponents in creature-heavy match-ups.


How to beat

Urza’s Incubator is an impactful artifact in Magic: The Gathering that reduces the casting cost of creature spells of the chosen type, potentially leading to an overwhelming board presence. To counter this advantage, consider employing targeted removal spells like Disenchant or Krosan Grip to dismantle the Incubator before its effects can be fully exploited. Artifact removal is key since dealing with Urza’s Incubator after it has resolved involves expensive and limited options.

One could also opt for counterspell strategies, namely Negate or Counterspell, to prevent Urza’s Incubator from hitting the battlefield in the first place. A timely Damping Sphere can also inhibit the mana acceleration that Urza’s Incubator threatens to provide. Additionally, strategies involving hand disruption with cards like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can preemptively remove the Incubator from play before it becomes a factor.

By anticipating and disrupting your opponent’s strategy early on, you maintain control over the game pace and prevent them from capitalizing on the massive cost reductions Urza’s Incubator offers, thus safeguarding your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping up, Urza’s Incubator can be the linchpin in your MTG tribal strategy, offering both a reduction in creature costs and the potential for sweeping gameplay advantages. Whether you’re assembling a horde of elves or rallying a clan of dragons, this card is a strategic asset worth considering. However, remember to balance your deck with versatile answers to potential threats. Keen to unearth more insights and integrate staples like Urza’s Incubator into your arsenal? Dive into our resources, where we unpack the intricacies of building a winning deck around such pivotal cards. Let’s refine your tactics together, and tap into the true potential of your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Urza's Incubator MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Commander 2015, 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 Incubator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Urza's Incubator Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-06-07Urza's DestinyUDS 1421997NormalBlackPete Venters
22015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2732015NormalBlackPete Venters
32018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2282015NormalBlackPete Venters
42020-09-26The ListPLST C15-2732015NormalBlackPete Venters
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 4532015NormalBorderlessRandy Gallegos
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3921997NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
72023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2392015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
82024-06-14Modern Horizons 3MH3 2972015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Urza's Incubator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Multiple Incubators are cumulative.
2004-10-04 You choose a creature type right as it enters the battlefield, before any continuous effects are applied or trigged abilities trigger.