Umara Entangler MTG Card


Umara Entangler - Oath of the Gatewatch
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Merfolk Rogue Ally
Abilities Prowess
Released2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set nameOath of the Gatewatch
Set codeOGW
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number65
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJames Ryman

Key Takeaways

  1. With prowess, Umara Entangler turns spells into direct power boosts, compelling opponents to react swiftly.
  2. A low-cost creature, it’s essential for early game presence and maintaining the momentum of your plays.
  3. Umara Entangler’s effectiveness increases with instants, making it a versatile threat during gameplay.

Text of card

Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

"Sea Gate is gone, the Halimar basin empty. But rebuild the seawall and give these waters time, and they will fill the basin anew."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Umara Entangler is an efficient way to add a creature to your board while maintaining card parity. Although it doesn’t directly draw cards, it pressures your opponent into using their resources, which can indirectly lead to card advantage as they are forced to respond to its presence.

Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Umara Entangler can be pivotal for curving out your plays. Playing it early sets up the board and accelerates your game plan, enabling you to deploy threats continuously.

Instant Speed: While Umara Entangler itself is not an instant, it benefits greatly from instant-speed interactions. Being a Prowess creature, it grows stronger whenever you cast a noncreature spell, including those at instant speed. This adaptability in combat or in response to an opponent’s actions makes it a more versatile threat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Umara Entangler itself doesn’t necessitate discarding, it can be less appealing when cards with similar prowess abilities might have additional effects without the need to discard.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card requiring blue mana, Umara Entangler is restricted to certain decks, limiting its flexibility and possibly constraining deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base stats and prowess alone, the mana cost of Umara Entangler may be perceived as steep when other creatures in the same cost bracket offer more complex abilities or higher power and toughness.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Umara Entangler’s prowess ability means it can seamlessly integrate into decks that cast a lot of noncreature spells. This creature becomes a threat with each spell you play, making it a flexible addition to a variety of blue-focused decks.

Combo Potential: Since it strengthens with each noncreature spell cast, Umara Entangler is ideal for combos that involve spell-slinging. It works well with decks that aim to cast multiple spells in a single turn, thus incrementally boosting its power.

Meta-Relevance: As players frequently adjust their strategies to deploy a bevy of spells, Umara Entangler maintains its relevance in dynamic game environments. It thrives in matchups where casting numerous instant and sorcery cards is crucial for maintaining momentum and applying pressure on the opponent.


How to beat

Umara Entangler presents a challenge with its prowess ability, enhancing its power every time you cast a noncreature spell. This card can quickly become a threat in decks focused on casting numerous spells in a single turn. The key to overcoming this creature lies in timing and disruption. Prowess triggers upon spell casting, so instant removal spells during your opponent’s turn or after they’ve exhausted their mana resources can ensure the Entangler never gets the chance to grow out of control.

Consider using removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can dispatch the Entangler before the prowess ability stacks up too much power. It’s also effective to counter the spells that would trigger its prowess with counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak. These strategies not only deal with the immediate threat of Umara Entangler but also help maintain a more manageable board state. Additionally, board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playing field, nullifying the advantage that multiple prowess triggers would provide.

Overall, prompt removal, strategic counterspells, and the right timing are essential tools in neutralizing Umara Entangler and keeping the game in your favor.


Cards like Umara Entangler

Umara Entangler is part of the creature lineup in MTG, providing a potent choice for players aiming to ramp up their prowess mechanic. Comparable to cards like Jeskai Windscout, Umara Entangler allows for aggression in the early stages of gameplay. Both share the prowess ability, amplifying their strength whenever a noncreature spell is cast. Where they differ is in their base stats – the Windscout offers flying at the cost of one additional blue mana, which grants evasion over Umara Entangler’s straightforward approach.

In terms of mana efficiency, Mistfire Adept stands out with its notable prowess effect offering the flexibility to give creatures flying until end of turn. Though its mana cost is higher, the benefit of potentially providing flying to any creature could outweigh the raw power of Umara Entangler. Furthermore, Escort of Cloistrade provides an alternative take on prowess creatures, offering a blend of protection with its Megamorph ability, though it does not impact the board as quickly.

To conclude, while Umara Entangler shines in swift prowess-based decks, other creatures in the MTG universe present unique benefits that cater to a variety of strategic needs and mana curves, amplifying their worth depending on the player’s deck build and play style.

Jeskai Windscout - MTG Card versions
Mistfire Adept - MTG Card versions
Jeskai Windscout - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Mistfire Adept - Fate Reforged (FRF)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Umara Entangler MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Umara Entangler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Umara Entangler has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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