Urza, Chief Artificer MTG Card


Offers substantial card advantage by casting spells for free, accelerating your game significantly. Its artifact synergy boosts resource acceleration, making it a strategic ramping powerhouse. Instant speed utility offers dynamic and unpredictable gameplay, enhancing strategic depth.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Artificer
Abilities Affinity
Power 4
Toughness 5

Text of card

Affinity for artifact creatures (This spell costs less to cast for each artifact creature you control.) Artifact creatures you control have menace. At the beginning of your end step, create a 0/0 colorless Construct artifact creature token with "This creature gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control."


Cards like Urza, Chief Artificer

Urza, Chief Artificer marks a new chapter for artifact synergy in MTG. Its nearest kin would be cards like Goblin Welder, permitting clever manipulation of artifacts on the battlefield and in the graveyard. Yet, Urza stands out with the ability to generate an artifact creature token with its first ability—a feature Goblin Welder does not offer.

When comparing to another artifact aficionado, Sai, Master Thopterist, we see similarities in token creation. However, Urza’s ability to utilize artifacts as an accelerant for its second ability provides a boost in tempo that Sai doesn’t match. Then there’s Karn, Scion of Urza, providing card advantage and powerful constructs, but lacking Urza’s direct artifact manipulation and affinity.

Examining these comparisons showcases Urza, Chief Artificer’s unique position in MTG. It combines the best of artifact manipulation with aggressive token generation, setting it apart as a linchpin in artifact-centric decks. Its versatility ensures that it’s not just another addition to the artifact repertoire but a card that potentially redefines strategies within the archetype.

Goblin Welder - MTG Card versions
Sai, Master Thopterist - MTG Card versions
Karn, Scion of Urza - MTG Card versions
Goblin Welder - MTG Card versions
Sai, Master Thopterist - MTG Card versions
Karn, Scion of Urza - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Urza, Chief Artificer by color, type and mana cost

Dakkon Blackblade - MTG Card versions
Dromar, the Banisher - MTG Card versions
Tivit, Seller of Secrets - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Oloro, Ageless Ascetic - MTG Card versions
Elenda and Azor - MTG Card versions
Saruman of Many Colors - MTG Card versions
Dakkon Blackblade - MTG Card versions
Dromar, the Banisher - MTG Card versions
Tivit, Seller of Secrets - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Oloro, Ageless Ascetic - MTG Card versions
Elenda and Azor - MTG Card versions
Saruman of Many Colors - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Urza, Chief Artificer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Four-color MidrangeFour-color Midrange Legacy4c Initiative2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Urza, Chief Artificer, excels at providing card advantage through its ability to potentially cast spells without paying their mana costs. This mechanic not only keeps your hand full but also allows you to outpace your opponents by deploying more threats or answers.

Resource Acceleration: As an adept creator of artifacts, this card synergizes with strategies that benefit from having additional artifacts on the battlefield, thereby ramping your available resources significantly and efficiently.

Instant Speed: Urza’s competency shines at instant speed, enabling you to utilize tricks and responses on your opponent’s turn. This keeps your opponents guessing and offers the element of surprise, making your plays more dynamic and less predictable.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Urza, Chief Artificer demands that a player must discard a card to activate its abilities. This can be problematic in scenarios where a player’s hand is already depleted and may not be able to afford the loss of card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a blue-centric mana cost, Urza, Chief Artificer requires a significant commitment to blue mana. This stipulation may restrict its inclusion to primarily blue or artifact-oriented decks, potentially excluding it from a wider variety of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Urza, Chief Artificer enters the battlefield at a considerable mana investment. For decks aiming for rapid setup and execution, its cost may outweigh the immediate benefits it provides, especially when competitive alternatives exist that may offer similar utility for less mana.


Reasons to Include Urza Chief Artificer in Your Collection

Versatility: Urza Chief Artificer offers a range of abilities that make it a powerhouse in artifact-centric decks. By efficiently converting artifacts into a formidable board presence, this card is an asset in a plethora of strategic setups, including midrange and control decks.

Combo Potential: As an engine for artifact strategies, Urza provides exceptional synergy with cards that produce artifacts or benefit from them being played or sacrificed. This card’s ability to unlock the full potential of artifacts sets the stage for game-winning combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts are crucial, Urza Chief Artificer shines. Its natural ability to support and amplify artifact strategies makes it a highly sought-after card that can shape the battlefield and adapt to the prevailing competitive meta.


How to beat

Urza, Chief Artificer is a powerhouse in the MTG universe, renowned as a formidable card within artifact-centered decks. Boasting a unique ability to cast spells using artifacts as a substitute for mana, Urza turns your assortments of artifacts into versatile resources, potentially leading to overwhelming board states. To overcome this challenge, players must focus on disrupting the synergy Urza creates. Artifact removal spells or abilities, such as Abrade or Shatterstorm, can prove invaluable in dismantling an Urza-led strategy.

Hand disruption is another effective method to neutralize Urza before hitting the field. Tools such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can extract Urza from your opponent’s grip, thwarting their game plan early on. Additionally, countering Urza upon casting with spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can halt the adversary in their tracks. It’s essential to pressure an Urza player and keep their artifact count low, stymying their ability to use Urza’s formidable powers to their advantage.

Tackling the Urza problem is about timing and the right answers. Strategic resource management, pinpoint removal, and proactive disruption can help ensure Urza, Chief Artificer’s grand designs falter, giving you the upper hand in the high-stakes world of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Urza, Chief Artificer embodies the essence of innovation in MTG, offering card draw, resource acceleration, and instant-speed interaction. With these traits, it’s a card that can shape the outcome of a match, especially in artifact-rich environments. Its abilities are double-edged, demanding careful deck construction and strategy. Whether you seek to bolster your control deck with its diverse skills or exploit its combo potential for a decisive win, Urza demands consideration. Dive deeper into building effective strategies around Urza, mastering disruption tactics, and expanding your collection with this potent piece of the MTG puzzle. Arm yourself with knowledge to ensure victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Urza, Chief Artificer MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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, Chief Artificer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Urza, Chief Artificer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Bartłomiej Gaweł.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1058001997NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1057962015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
32022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 401997NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
42022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 21997NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 492015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Urza, Chief Artificer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-14 The ability of that Construct token does count the Construct itself, so it’ll be at least 1/1.