Vug Lizard MTG Card


Vug Lizard - Urza's Saga
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Lizard
Abilities Echo,Mountainwalk
Released1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set nameUrza's Saga
Set codeUSG
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number227
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byHeather Hudson

Key Takeaways

  1. Excels in providing card advantage when dealing combat damage to players, enhancing hand resources.
  2. Breaks traditional MTG molds by offering unexpected mana ramp capabilities for faster gameplay.
  3. Works well with instant-speed spells, creating strategic advantages during opponent’s turns.

Text of card

Echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.) Mountainwalk (If defending player controls a mountain, this creature is unblockable.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Vug Lizard offers a unique mechanism that can potentially provide recurring card advantage. Each time it deals combat damage to a player, you have the ability to add a card to your hand, keeping your resources plentiful as you outmaneuver your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While historically lizards in MTG might not scream ‘resource acceleration,’ Vug Lizard breaks the mold. By enabling quicker access to mana through its abilities, it can effectively ramp up your potential to cast higher-cost spells ahead of schedule, giving you a crucial edge in battlefield presence.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Vug Lizard can synergize well with instant-speed spells in your deck. It pressures opponents by demanding an answer immediately, leaving them less prepared for the tricks you can perform on their turn. Being ready to capitalize on this tension at a moment’s notice can be game-changing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vug Lizard requires you to part with another card from your hand, which can put you at a disadvantage, especially in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Players interested in casting Vug Lizard have to dedicate specific mana resources to match its cost. This requirement can impose deck-building constraints, often necessitating a commitment to colors that can support this card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the lizard might bring certain benefits to the battlefield, its mana value might not align with the power you receive in return. In a game where tempo is key, its cost might slow you down as there are alternative creatures or spells that could offer more immediate or impactful results for the same or lesser investment.


Reasons to Include Vug Lizard in Your Collection

Versatility: Vug Lizard thrives in a variety of deck builds. Its ability to ramp up power when paired with specific land types makes it a flexible choice for those looking to optimize their land usage.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a key component in synergistic plays, particularly in decks that capitalize on power boosts and landfall mechanics, allowing players to craft potent combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to adapt to and overcome various board states, Vug Lizard can be a formidable asset in the ever-shifting MTG meta, especially if land-interaction strategies are at play.


How to beat

Understanding the nuances of your opponent’s cards is essential, and Vug Lizard is no exception. This formidable creature poses a unique challenge in MTG duels. Its innate abilities can turn it into a formidable threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. A key strategy to overcoming Vug Lizard is to prevent it from leveraging its abilities to your opponent’s advantage.

One effective tactic is to manage the battlefield with spells that can neutralize creatures before their abilities become problematic. Since Vug Lizard thrives on the game’s dynamic nature, employing spot removal or board wipes can prove to be efficient solutions. It’s important to remember that timing is crucial; you’ll want to act before Vug Lizard’s power can be magnified by other cards or effects.

Additionally, countering the spells that bring creatures like Vug Lizard to the field is an effective way to keep the battlefield under control. By staying one step ahead and disrupting your opponent’s strategy, you maintain the upper hand. Always keep removal or counterspells ready, and the Vug Lizard won’t stand a chance at dominating the game.


Cards like Vug Lizard

Vug Lizard makes an intriguing comparison within the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to creatures like Raging Goblin regarding the haste ability, allowing players to utilize the creature’s attack without the usual summoning sickness wait. However, Vug Lizard introduces a unique twist – it often boasts a greater power, which can apply more pressure on the opponent from early in the game. Raging Goblin, while quick, offers less impact with a lower power.

Comparing further, we find Ember Hauler. This creature shares the same mana cost as Vug Lizard, and it comes with an additional utility – the ability to deal damage to any target at the expense of the creature and some mana. Though it lacks the haste of Vug Lizard, the versatility it brings to the table can be a significant tactical advantage during play.

Examining the balance between speed, power, and versatility, Vug Lizard establishes itself as a competitive option within its niche. Its ability to strike swiftly can shape the battlefield, making it a valuable card for players seeking to maintain tempo and exert immediate pressure on adversaries in the game.

Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)
Ember Hauler - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Vug Lizard by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Sabretooth Tiger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Shinen of Fury's Fire - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vug Lizard MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Vug Lizard and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vug Lizard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks