Umbral Mantle MTG Card


Umbral Mantle provides card utility by leveraging creature tap effects multiple times in MTG games. The artifact is key for infinite mana strategies when paired with creatures generating at least three mana. Instant speed activation allows for flexible and reactive gameplay, adapting to various in-game scenarios.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature has ", {Q}: This creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn." ({Q} is the untap symbol.) Equip

It harnesses the power of night in a land where daylight fears to show itself.


Cards like Umbral Mantle

Umbral Mantle holds a unique place among MTG artifacts that focus on untapping. Its capabilities echo those of cards like Staff of Domination, which offers a more versatile range of options including gaining life and drawing cards. However, Umbral Mantle sets itself apart with its synergistic potential for creating unlimited mana with creatures that tap for three or more mana, a boon for combo strategies.

Seeking comparison, Sword of the Paruns emerges as a relative. It too can untap a creature, albeit at a steeper mana investment. The cost difference is crucial in situations where mana efficiency dictates the pace of play. Another card worth mentioning is Magewright’s Stone which allows untapping but is limited to one use per turn, offering less versatility for ongoing combos unlike the repeatable nature of Umbral Mantle’s ability.

Ultimately, Umbral Mantle’s combination of a modest equip cost and its capacity to repeatedly untap creatures makes it a formidable tool in the hands of any player aiming for an infinite mana or combo-oriented deck in Magic: The Gathering.

Staff of Domination - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Magewright's Stone - MTG Card versions
Staff of Domination - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Magewright's Stone - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Umbral Mantle by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
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Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
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Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although the Umbral Mantle itself does not directly provide card draw, it offers a unique form of card advantage by repeatedly untapping creatures with beneficial tap effects. This empowers you to maximize the value from your creatures, effectively squeezing out more utility than would be possible in a single turn.

Resource Acceleration: In combination with creatures that can produce more than three mana, Umbral Mantle generates infinite mana. This synergy opens the door for a multitude of game-winning strategies, providing a critical resource acceleration that can turn the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: While the Mantle is an artifact that must be activated at sorcery speed, its untap ability can be utilized whenever you can pay for it. This means you can wait until the opportune moment during your turn or even on your opponent’s turn to unleash its potential, thereby keeping your strategic options flexible and reactive.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Umbral Mantle does not directly demand a discard from your hand, but it does necessitate having a creature to equip. Without a suitable creature, it becomes a dead card in your hand, which indirectly can lead to discard decisions when optimizing hand space.

Specific Mana Cost: The Mantle comes with a precise activation cost that includes three generic mana. This can pose restrictions in decks that tightly curve their mana or rely heavily on color-specific strategies and combinations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of mana investment, the initial cost to cast and equip Umbral Mantle might be considered high considering it offers no immediate impact on the board state without a creature with an untap benefit. This factor can be a considerable drawback in fast-paced games where mana efficiency is crucial.


Reasons to Include Umbral Mantle in Your Collection

Versatility: Umbral Mantle offers a flexible utility for a variety of MTG decks, adapting to many strategies thanks to its ability to untap creatures. It’s a fantastic addition not just to combo-oriented lists but also to those that can take advantage of untapping creatures for value or aggression.

Combo Potential: This card is notorious for enabling infinite combos with creatures that can generate at least three mana, like those with the “tap for mana” ability. When paired correctly, Umbral Mantle can single-handedly turn the tide of a game, allowing for potentially game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games can be decided by subtle interactions and clever plays, Umbral Mantle remains a relevant tool. Its presence in a deck can force opponents to alter their playstyle, knowing that at any moment, a seemingly innocuous creature can become a major threat.


How to beat

Umbral Mantle holds a special place in the array of equipment cards within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Its ability to untap a creature after a mere investment of three mana makes it a formidable tool for generating infinite combos and potentially game-ending plays. To counteract this threat, resource denial strategies become essential. Removing the creature it’s attached to before the combo unfolds, or utilizing counterspells when Umbral Mantle hits the stack can disrupt your opponent’s game plan efficiently.

Artifact removal spells are your next best friends in this scenario. These can include options like Naturalize or Disenchant, which dismantle the Mantle itself, thereby cutting the power line to those pesky infinite combos. Keep an eye out for timing — it’s usually best to act before the Mantle’s ability is activated. Another approach is to target the Umbral Mantle’s synergy partners, creatures with untap abilities or those that grow stronger with each tap and untap, as breaking these links can cripple your opponent’s strategy.

By anticipating the typical plays associated with Umbral Mantle and maintaining answers in your deck to handle it, you can ensure that you stay one step ahead, keeping the upper hand in your matches involving this crafty piece of equipment.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG isn’t just about collecting the right cards; it’s also understanding their subtle synergies and the strategies they enable. Umbral Mantle stands out as a pivotal piece for those looking to unlock infinite possibilities on the battlefield. Whether you’re accelerating your resources, seeking flexible responses, or crafting game-winning combos, this card should not be overlooked. Dive deeper with us into a world where every card is an opportunity and every play could lead to victory. Enhance your MTG collection and skills by exploring more about the potential of Umbral Mantle and similar impactful cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Umbral Mantle MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Mystery Booster, 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 Umbral Mantle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Umbral Mantle Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Richard Sardinha.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 2672003NormalBlackRichard Sardinha
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 16462003NormalBlackRichard Sardinha
32020-09-26The ListPLST SHM-2672003NormalBlackRichard Sardinha

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Umbral Mantle has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-05-01 If a creature with an {Q} ability hasn’t been under your control since your most recent turn began, you can’t activate that ability, unless the creature has haste.
2008-05-01 If the permanent is already untapped, you can’t activate its {Q} ability. That’s because you can’t pay the “Untap this permanent” cost.
2008-05-01 When you activate an {Q} ability, you untap the creature with that ability as a cost. The untap can’t be responded to. (The actual ability can be responded to, of course.)