Urza MTG Card

Rarity	Rare
Type	Vanguard
Released	1997-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Vanguard Series
Set code	PVAN
Number	407
Frame	1993
Layout	Vanguard
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Tedin

Key Takeaways

Urza’s card advantage grants players more strategic options and resources during matches.
Resource acceleration from Urza can rapidly fuel mana for spellcasting and powerful plays.
The instant speed versatility of Urza keeps opponents uncertain and adapts to game situations.

Text of card

o3: Urza deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

An artificer of unparalleled renown, Urza was a powerful cipher even before he was able to planeswalk. Seeing the world as a large, integrated machine is his greatest strength and weakness, enabling him to solve almost any problem but blinding him to his solutions' effects on others.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Delving into the virtues of the Urza card, its ability to manipulate the game towards your favor through significant card advantage is paramount. It has a robust mechanism that allows you to peel additional cards from your library, thereby enhancing your strategic options and increasing your resources as the match progresses.

Resource Acceleration: In the fierce battles of MTG where timing can turn the tides, Urza stands out by enabling crucial resource acceleration. This potent card can swiftly untap artifacts you control which acts as a springboard to accelerate your mana availability, fuelling your spellcasting ability to unleash powerful plays sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: Versatility is key in MTG and Urza’s instant speed capabilities mean you’re never locked into just one play as your turn ends. This trait allows for dynamic strategy implementation, keeping your adversaries guessing by allowing you to adapt to unfolding situations efficiently and potentially at a moment’s notice while preserving the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Urza cards often include abilities that necessitate discarding, representing a potential strategic setback. This can deplete your hand quickly, leaving you vulnerable and diminishing your options as the game progresses. It is crucial to weigh the benefits of activating Urza’s abilities against the potential loss of other valuable cards from your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Urza’s power comes at the price of a specific mana arrangement, frequently requiring a mix of colorless and blue mana sources. This can make him somewhat inflexible in deck building, narrowing his compatibility to mostly blue-focused or artifact-centered strategies. Decks not tailored to produce the right type of mana may find it challenging to harness Urza’s full potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The high mana value associated with Urza cards typically makes them a late-game play. While his abilities are impactful, the investment may be steep, especially when trying to maintain tempo against more aggressive or lower-curved strategies. In a game where efficiency is key, the high mana cost could mean sacrificing early game board presence or delaying critical plays.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Urza offers incredible flexibility across various deck builds. Its ability to turn all artifacts into mana sources can enable strategies that heavily rely on artifacts or even complement a deck focused on ramping up its mana.

Combo Potential: The synergy that Urza has with other cards is vast. Its capability to produce a construct that grows with your artifacts and to shuffle your library and play with the top card revealed caters to numerous combo routes. This can significantly expand your deck’s tactical scope.

Meta-Relevance: In the ever-evolving MTG play space, Urza consistently finds its place. Whether through its strength in commander decks or its presence in competitive formats, the adaptability and strength of Urza continue to make it a relevant choice in many metagames.

How to beat

The mighty Urza is a character that commands respect on any battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Facing off against a card that embodies this legendary figure means you’re up against a powerhouse of abilities. The key to besting this challenge lies in disrupting Urza’s ability to generate value over time.

One effective strategy is to utilize removal spells that can specifically target Urza before his abilities can be activated or exploited. Counterspells are also a player’s best friend in this scenario, preventing Urza from even entering the battlefield. Artifact removal becomes crucial as well, considering Urza’s synergy with these types of permanents. Additionally, applying pressure with an aggressive creature strategy can divert focus and resources away from Urza’s game plan.

Finally, it’s worth having a plan for the potential constructs that Urza can create. Board wipes or targeted removal for noncreature permanents can effectively mitigate the threats created through Urza’s constructs and keep the scales tipped in your favor. By incorporating these strategies, players can improve their chances against the formidable Urza and perhaps, emerge victorious.

Cards like Urza

The mystical prowess of the Urza MTG card is a topic of much discussion among players who appreciate the depth of strategy it brings to the game. Its impact is often compared to Karn Liberated, as both are powerful planeswalkers with the ability to control the game’s flow. While Karn Liberated may not directly contribute to mana generation like Urza, it offers a unique set of abilities that can disrupt opponents by exiling cards.

Tezzeret the Seeker is another card that resonates within the same vein as Urza, given its affinity for artifacts. Although Tezzeret doesn’t create a formidable construct token, it compensates by untapping artifacts or searching the library for them, which can be equally advantageous. And then there is Teferi, Temporal Archmage, which may not synergize directly with artifacts but provides exceptional control over the game with its ability to untap permanents and manipulate draw mechanics.

Ultimately, while Urza stands out with its powerful combination of mana ramp, token creation, and deck manipulation, its counterparts each offer distinct advantages that cater to different playstyles. This showcases the robust diversity in Magic: The Gathering, where each card is more than the sum of its abilities, presenting multiple pathways to victory.

Teferi, Temporal Archmage - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Urza by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Urza MTG card by a specific set like Vanguard Series, 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 and other MTG cards: