Obelisk of Undoing MTG Card


Grants control over permanents, allowing reuse of effects and protection from removal. Mandatory discard and specific mana cost can limit strategic options and efficiency. Its distinct abilities position it as a resilient, strategic card with combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

o6: Return any of your permanents in play to your hand; enchantments on that permanent are discarded. Can be used only on permanents you cast.

The Battle of Tomakul taught Urza not to rely on fickle reinforcements.


Cards like Obelisk of Undoing

Obelisk of Undoing offers a unique twist among artifact cards in Magic: The Gathering. It stands in line with the likes of Nevinyrral’s Disk for board control, although the Obelisk is more selective, allowing the return of individual permanents rather than a sweeping reset. The Disk, known for its destructive capabilities, doesn’t provide the same level of precision or the repeatable aspect of the Obelisk.

When comparing it with Crystal Shard, both artifacts share the ability to bounce permanents. Crystal Shard, however, can target any creature and potentially use it defensively against opponents. It requires less investment to activate but doesn’t have the flexibility to target any type of permanent like the Obelisk of Undoing does.

Diving deeper, we see Temporal Adept, which also shares a semblance with Obelisk of Undoing through its capability to return target permanents to hand. However, the Adept, being a creature, is more vulnerable to removal. Meanwhile, the Obelisk’s artifact nature often makes it a more resilient option on the battlefield, if often a more costly one to use.

Artifacts like Obelisk of Undoing provide strategic depth in MTG, enabling nuanced control over the game’s state. By scrutinizing various factors like cost, speed, and resilience, it becomes evident that Obelisk of Undoing holds a distinct niche within the array of artifacts capable of altering the board’s dynamics.

Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Temporal Adept - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Temporal Adept - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Obelisk of Undoing offers a unique form of card advantage by allowing you to bounce your own permanents. This can be particularly powerful in situations where you want to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects or save a valuable card from removal.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a tool for resource acceleration, Obelisk of Undoing can indirectly aid in speeding up your gameplay. By returning key pieces to your hand, it can help assemble the right resources more swiftly.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate the Obelisk at instant speed provides players with flexibility. It enables interactions during your opponent’s turn, potentially disrupting their strategies and setting you up for a favorable board state on your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of Obelisk of Undoing is that it necessitates the player to discard a card to utilize its ability. In a game where hand advantage can be pivotal, this mandatory discard might leave you at a disadvantage, especially when faced with a situation where retaining your cards is crucial for maintaining your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost for Obelisk of Undoing’s ability requires colorless mana. While this may seem universally applicable, having to keep up a specific mana type every turn to potentially use its ability can be restrictive. It can also compete with other demands for your colorless mana, which can hinder the overall efficiency of your deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana to cast and a continuous one mana to activate its ability, the cost of getting Obelisk of Undoing into play and using it is substantial. When compared to other artifacts or spells that offer more immediate and impactful effects for less mana, the Obelisk can seem like a less attractive option. This high investment can significantly delay your game plan and give your opponent the opportunity to establish a stronger board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Obelisk of Undoing offers a unique flexibility to players, functioning well in decks that can take advantage of repeated artifact activations or that focus on manipulating permanents for strategic advantages.

Combo Potential: This artifact can be an essential piece in combos, allowing you to reset key pieces each turn or protect your investments from targeted removals by returning them to your hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where control elements are prospering, Obelisk of Undoing can maintain relevance by disrupting opponent plans and providing recurring utility to sway the match in your favor.


How to beat

The Obelisk of Undoing offers players a unique toolbox option in their strategic lineup. With its ability to bounce permanents back to your hand each turn, this card provides flexibility and repeated value throughout the game. To effectively neutralize this advantage, it’s crucial to focus on strategies that can either overwhelm or bypass the obelisk’s effect. Applying pressure with a fast-paced deck that deploys numerous threats can overload the obelisk’s capacity, forcing your opponent to make tough choices on what to save and what to let go.

Alternatively, targeting the obelisk with direct artifact removal spells is an efficient way to dispatch it. Including options like Disenchant or Abrade in your deck can ensure you’re prepared to handle artifacts that otherwise could complicate the battlefield. Lastly, capitalizing on the moment when your opponent has committed to activating the obelisk—thereby reducing their mana resources for the turn—allows you to advance your board state or resolve key spells with less fear of disruption. In essence, applying constant pressure and being ready to disrupt the obelisk directly are your best tactics against this versatile artifact.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Obelisk of Undoing MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Chronicles, 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 Obelisk of Undoing and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Obelisk of Undoing Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Tom Wänerstrand.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-03-04AntiquitiesATQ 581993NormalBlackTom Wänerstrand
21995-07-01ChroniclesCHR 1041993NormalWhiteTom Wänerstrand
31995-08-01RinascimentoRIN 1341993NormalBlackTom Wänerstrand
41997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3921997NormalWhiteTom Wänerstrand
52011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 2171997NormalBlackTom Wänerstrand

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Obelisk of Undoing has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal