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{{SubTabs
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|sub1 = Card comparisons
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|sub2 = Theme decks
  +
|sub3 = Official Guide
  +
}}
 
{{Infobox set
  
{{Infobox set
−
|logo = [[Image:Urzas Saga logo.png|250px]]
 +
|image = Urzas Saga logo.png
−
|symbol description = Gears
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|symbol_description = Gears
−
|design team = [[Mike Elliott]] (lead)<br/>[[Richard Garfield]]<br/>[[Bill Rose]]<br/>[[Mark Rosewater]]
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|design = [[Mike Elliott]] (lead)<br/>[[Richard Garfield]]<br/>[[Bill Rose]]<br/>[[Mark Rosewater]]
−
|development team = Mike Elliott (lead)<br/>[[William Jockusch]]<br/>Bill Rose<br/>Mark Rosewater<br/>[[Henry Stern]]<br/>with contributions from [[Beth Moursund]]
 +
|development = Mike Elliott (lead)<br/>[[William Jockusch]]<br/>Bill Rose<br/>Mark Rosewater<br/>[[Henry Stern]]<br/>with contributions from [[Beth Moursund]]
−
|art director = [[Ron Spears]]
 +
|art = [[Ron Spears]]
−
|date_release = October 12, 1998
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|release = October 12, 1998
−
|mechanics = [[Free spells]], [[Growing enchantments]] and [[Sleeping enchantments]]
 +
|plane = [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]<br />[[Phyrexia]]<br />[[Serra's Realm]]
  +
|mechanics = [[Free spell]]s, [[Sleeping enchantment|Sleeping]] and [[Growing enchantment]]s
 
|keywords = [[Cycling]], [[Echo]]
  
|keywords = [[Cycling]], [[Echo]]
−
|size = 350 (110 Common 110 Uncommon 110 Rare 20 Land)
 +
|size = 350 cards<br/>{{curmb|110|110|110||20}}
 
|code_expansion = USG
 
|code_expansion = USG
−
|code_expansion_ref=<ref>{{NewRef|ask-wizards-august-2004-2004-08-02|Ask Wizards - August, 2004|Wizards of the Coast|2004-08-02}}</ref>
 +
|code_expansion_ref={{DailyRef|ask-wizards-august-2004-2004-08-02|Ask Wizards - August, 2004|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|August 02, 2004}}
−
|code_development = Armadillo <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/arcana/122|Armadillos|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 21, 2002}}</ref>
+
|code_development = Armadillo <ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/armadillos-2002-06-21|Armadillos|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 21, 2002}}</ref>
−
|block name = [[Urza's block]]
 +
|series = [[Urza's block]]
−
|first set = [[Urza's Saga]]
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|first = Urza's Saga
−
|second set = [[Urza's Legacy]]
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|second = Urza's Legacy
−
|third set = [[Urza's Destiny]]
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|third = Urza's Destiny
−
|previous set = [[Unglued]]
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|previous = Unglued
−
|next set = [[Anthologies]]
+
|next = Anthologies
 
}}
  
}}
 
'''''Urza's Saga''''' is the fifteenth ''[[Magic]]'' [[expansion]] and was released in October 1998 as the [[Large expansion|first set]] in the [[Urza's block]].
  
'''''Urza's Saga''''' is the fifteenth ''[[Magic]]'' [[expansion]] and was released in October 1998 as the [[Large expansion|first set]] in the [[Urza's block]].
   
 
==Set details==
  
==Set details==
−
The rarity break down of the 350 black-bordered set is 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, and 20 basic lands. ''Urza's Saga'''s [[expansion symbol]] is a set of gears, highlighting the [[artifacts]] theme of the set, and meant to symbolize Urza’s experiments in finding a means to defeat Phyrexia. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/askwizards/1006|Ask Wizards|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|October 31, 2006}}</ref> [[R&D]] originally envisioned ''Urza's Saga'' (and the further block) to be centered on the [[enchantment]] theme. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/mm/94|Disadvantaged|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 07, 2010}}</ref> But the creative team told them that this block was going to be all about [[Urza]], the greatest [[artificer]] of all time. By further referring to the block and the companion books as the "[[Artifacts Cycle]]", the original idea disappeared from view. It didn't help that that the set contained some very powerful artifacts and artifact-themed cards like <c>Fluctuator</c> and <c>Tolarian Academy</c>. In fact so many [[broken]] cards were in the set that the following period became known as [[Combo Winter]]. Players believed that too many overpowered cards and combos filled all the tournament formats. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr97|Make No Mistake|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 10, 2003}}</ref> This moved the [[DCI]] to ban a large amount of cards in December 1998.
+
''Urza's Saga'' is a 350-card black-bordered set containing 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, and 20 basic lands. Its [[expansion symbol]] is a set of gears, highlighting the [[artifacts]] theme of the set, and is meant to symbolize Urza’s experiments in finding a means to defeat Phyrexia.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-october-2006-2006-10-02|Ask Wizards|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|October 31, 2006}}</ref> [[R&D]] originally envisioned ''Urza's Saga'' (and the ''Urza'' block as a whole) to be centered on an [[enchantment]] theme,<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/disadvantaged-2010-06-07|Disadvantaged|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 07, 2010}}</ref> but the creative team had already decided that the block should be all about [[Urza]], the greatest [[artificer]] of all time. By further referring to the block and the companion books as the "[[Artifacts Cycle]]", the original idea disappeared from view. It didn't help that that the set contained some very powerful artifacts and artifact-themed cards like <c>Fluctuator</c> and <c>Tolarian Academy</c>. In fact, with so many cards in the set that were considered by many to be "[[broken]]," the following period became known as "[[Combo Winter]]," with many such "broken" cards and combos filling all tournament formats.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/make-no-mistake-2003-11-10-0|Make No Mistake|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 10, 2003}}</ref> This led the [[DCI]] to ban a large number of cards in December 1998.
   
 
===Marketing===
  
===Marketing===
−
''Urza's Saga'' was the first set to replace 60-card starter decks with 75-card [[tournament deck]]s. Cards were also sold in 15-card [[boosters]] and four [[preconstructed theme deck]]s. Each [[booster]] contained 15 cards: 11 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare. The packs featured artwork from <c>Herald of Serra</c>, <c>Chimeric Staff</c> and <c>Phyrexian Colossus</c>. The design change from 60 card starter decks to 75 card tournament decks was made to make it easier to run [[Sealed deck]] tournaments. The [[prerelease]] for ''Urza's Saga'' (September 26, 1998) gave away [[foil]] copies of the card <c>Lightning Dragon</c> as a promotion. This was the first release of a foil card in ''Magic'' although the next set in the block, ''[[Urza's Legacy]]'', had them inserted randomly into booster packs. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/arcana/614|The first foil prerelease card|[[Magic Arcana]]|July 26, 2004}}</ref>
 +
''Urza's Saga'' was the first set to replace 60-card starter decks with 75-card [[tournament deck]]s, the idea being that this would make it easier to run [[Sealed deck]] tournaments. Cards were also sold in 15-card [[boosters]] and four [[preconstructed theme deck]]s. Each [[booster pack]] contained 15 cards: 11 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare. The boosters featured artwork from <c>Herald of Serra</c>, <c>Chimeric Staff</c> and <c>Phyrexian Colossus</c>. The [[prerelease]] [[promo]] for ''Urza's Saga'' (September 26, 1998) was a [[foil]] <c>Lightning Dragon</c>; this was the first time a ''Magic'' card was released in foil, though the next set in the block, ''[[Urza's Legacy]]'', had foil cards inserted randomly into booster packs.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/first-foil-prerelease-card-2004-07-26|The first foil prerelease card|[[Magic Arcana]]|July 26, 2004}}</ref>
   
−
Written by ''[[Duelist]]'' Executive Editor [[Will McDermott]], the ''[[The Official Guide to Urza's Saga]]'' takes a card-by-[[card]] look at [[spells]], [[artifacts]] and specialty [[lands]] in set. In addition to the card analysis, the Guide includes images of every card in the expansion and presents an unique look at [[Urza]]'s story from the explosive end of the [[Brothers' War]] to his discovery of the [[Thran]] [[Mana Rig]].
 +
Written by ''[[Duelist]]'' Executive Editor [[Will McDermott]], the ''[[The Official Guide to Urza's Saga]]'' takes a card-by-[[card]] look at [[spells]], [[artifacts]] and specialty [[lands]] in set. In addition to the card analysis, the Guide includes images of every card in the expansion and presents a unique look at [[Urza]]'s story from the explosive end of the [[Brothers' War]] to his discovery of the [[Thran]] [[Mana Rig]].
   
 
===Storyline===
  
===Storyline===
−
From the perilous domains of [[Phyrexia]] and [[Shiv]] to the splendor of [[Serra's Realm]], [[Argoth]], and [[Tolaria]], he travels the planes seeking weapons to destroy the dark forces that stalk him. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/feature/135|From the Ground Up|[[Scott McGough]]|March 21, 2011}}</ref> New magic discovered. New power revealed. [[Urza]]'s Saga has begun.
 +
From the perilous domains of [[Phyrexia]] and [[Shiv]] to the splendor of [[Serra's Realm]], [[Argoth]], and [[Tolaria]], he travels the planes seeking weapons to destroy the dark forces that stalk him.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/ground-2011-03-21|From the Ground Up|[[Scott McGough]]|March 21, 2011}}</ref> New magic discovered. New power revealed. [[Urza]]'s Saga has begun.
   
 
Hundreds of years have passed since the [[Brothers' War]], but many things that started there are only now coming to fruition. ''Urza's Saga'' departs from the story of [[Gerrard]] and [[Volrath]] in a flashback, showing the origins of [[the Legacy]]. The readers meet [[Teferi]] in his student days and [[Serra]] at the peak of her power.
  
Hundreds of years have passed since the [[Brothers' War]], but many things that started there are only now coming to fruition. ''Urza's Saga'' departs from the story of [[Gerrard]] and [[Volrath]] in a flashback, showing the origins of [[the Legacy]]. The readers meet [[Teferi]] in his student days and [[Serra]] at the peak of her power.
   
 
==Mechanics and themes==
  
==Mechanics and themes==
−
Like many earlier blocks, Urza's Saga did not have an overarching theme, though it did have an emphasis on [[enchantment]]s and [[artifact]]s. The popular [[cycling]] keyword, which allowed players to discard unwanted cards to draw new ones, was introduced in this set. [[Echo]], a keyword requiring a second mana payment on a permanent in exchange for higher than usual stats, also debuted in ''Urza's Saga''. <ref>Wizards of the Coast. (1998) [http://www.wizards.com/magic/expert/urzas_saga/uz_rules.asp New Features of ''Urza's Saga'']</ref>
 +
Like many earlier blocks, Urza's Saga did not have an overarching theme, though it did have an emphasis on [[enchantment]]s and [[artifact]]s. The popular [[cycling]] keyword, which allowed players to discard unwanted cards to draw new ones, was introduced in this set. [[Echo]], a keyword requiring a second mana payment on a permanent in exchange for higher than usual stats, also debuted in ''Urza's Saga''.<ref>[[Wizards of the Coast]] (1998) [http://www.wizards.com/magic/expert/urzas_saga/uz_rules.asp "New Features of ''Urza's Saga''"]</ref>
   
−
Non-keyworded abilities appearing in Urza's Saga include [[free spells]], [[growing enchantments]] and [[sleeping enchantments]].
 +
Non-keyworded abilities appearing in Urza's Saga include [[free spell]]s, [[growing enchantment]]s and [[sleeping enchantment]]s.
 
===Misprints===
  
===Misprints===
 
*<c>Phyrexian Colossus</c> was printed with a [[Collector numbers|collector number]] of 306/350 when it should be 305/350. 306 is the number for <c>Phyrexian Processor</c> which is printed correctly.
  
*<c>Phyrexian Colossus</c> was printed with a [[Collector numbers|collector number]] of 306/350 when it should be 305/350. 306 is the number for <c>Phyrexian Processor</c> which is printed correctly.
   
 
==Creature types==
  
==Creature types==
−
No new [[Creature type|creature types]] were introduced in this expansion.
 +
No new [[creature type]]s were introduced in this expansion.
   
 
The following creature types are used in this expansion but also appear in previous sets: [[Ape]], [[Avatar]], [[Beast]], [[Bird]], [[Boar]], [[Cat]], [[Centaur]], [[Cleric]], [[Crab]], [[Djinn]], [[Dragon]], [[Drake]], [[Elemental]], [[Elf]], Enchantress (later changed to [[Druid]]), [[Giant]], [[Goblin]], [[Hippo]], [[Horror]], [[Illusion]], [[Imp]], [[Insect]], [[Knight]], [[Lizard]], [[Merfolk]], [[Pegasus]], [[Shade]], [[Shapeshifter]], [[Skeleton]], [[Snake]], [[Soldier]], [[Spirit]], [[Thrull]], [[Treefolk]], [[Troll]], [[Viashino]], [[Wall]], [[Whale]], [[Wizard]], [[Worm]], [[Wurm]], [[Zombie]].
  
The following creature types are used in this expansion but also appear in previous sets: [[Ape]], [[Avatar]], [[Beast]], [[Bird]], [[Boar]], [[Cat]], [[Centaur]], [[Cleric]], [[Crab]], [[Djinn]], [[Dragon]], [[Drake]], [[Elemental]], [[Elf]], Enchantress (later changed to [[Druid]]), [[Giant]], [[Goblin]], [[Hippo]], [[Horror]], [[Illusion]], [[Imp]], [[Insect]], [[Knight]], [[Lizard]], [[Merfolk]], [[Pegasus]], [[Shade]], [[Shapeshifter]], [[Skeleton]], [[Snake]], [[Soldier]], [[Spirit]], [[Thrull]], [[Treefolk]], [[Troll]], [[Viashino]], [[Wall]], [[Whale]], [[Wizard]], [[Worm]], [[Wurm]], [[Zombie]].
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==Cycles==
  
==Cycles==
 
''Urza's Saga'' has seven [[cycles]]:
  
''Urza's Saga'' has seven [[cycles]]:
  +
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
*'''Cycling lands''': These [[common]] [[land]]s come into play tapped and add one mana of the appropriate color to one's mana pool, but can also be cycled {{-}} <c>Drifting Meadow</c>, <c>Remote Isle</c>, <c>Polluted Mire</c>, <c>Slippery Karst</c>, and <c>Smoldering Crater</c>. The related [[uncommon]] cycling land <c>Blasted Landscape</c> adds only [[colorless]] mana to one's mana pool, but comes into play untapped.
  
  +
! Cycle name
⚫
*'''Embraces''': In an effort to get more people to play enchant creature Auras, this cycle was made which combined several abilities onto a card with a mana cost of {{2}}MM. {{-}} <c>Gaea's Embrace</c>, <c>Serra's Embrace</c>, <c>Shiv's Embrace</c>, <c>Vampiric Embrace</c> and <c>Zephid's Embrace</c>. Each card refers to a rare creature from either ''[[Alpha]]'' or ''Urza's Saga'': <c>Child of Gaea</c>, <c>Serra Angel</c>, <c>Shivan Dragon</c>, <c>Sengir Vampire</c>, and <c>Zephid</c>, respectively. <c>Verdant Embrace</c> in ''[[Time Spiral]]'' referenced this cycle, mimicking <c>Verdant Force</c>.
  
  +
! {{W}}
−
*'''Legendary lands''': [[Rare]] [[legendary]] lands, that when tapped provide mana for each card type you control {{-}} <c>Gaea's Cradle</c> creatures, <c>Serra's Sanctum</c> enchantments, and <c>Tolarian Academy</c> artifacts. The cycle was rounded out with <c>Shivan Gorge</c> and <c>Phyrexian Tower</c>, which did not share the others' mana abilities, and despite being legendary did not refer to a specific location.
  
  +
! {{U}}
⚫
*'''"Perpetual" enchantments''': When these [[common]] [[Aura]] [[enchantments]], each with a converted mana cost of 2, go to the graveyard, they are returned to their owner's hand {{-}} <c>Brilliant Halo</c>, <c>Launch</c>, <c>Despondency</c>, <c>Fiery Mantle</c>, and <c>Fortitude</c>.
  
  +
! {{B}}
⚫
*'''Rare growing enchantments''': Each of these rare [[growing enchantments]] has a mana cost of {{3}}MM except for the white one that costs {{2}}{{W}}{{W}}. Each can be sacrificed by paying one mana of the appropriate color for an effect that grows with the number of verse counter on it {{-}} <c>Serra's Liturgy</c>, <c>Recantation</c>, <c>Discordant Dirge</c>, <c>Rumbling Crescendo</c>, and <c>Midsummer Revel</c>.
  
  +
! {{R}}
⚫
*'''Runes of protection''': These common enchantments are similar to the Circles of Protection from ''[[Alpha]]'', but their activation cost requires {{W}} rather than {{1}}, unlike the Circles which allowed for merely splashing white. Their cycling ability, however, gives them extra utility {{-}} <c>Rune of Protection: White</c>, <c>Rune of Protection: Blue</c>, <c>Rune of Protection: Black</c>, <c>Rune of Protection: Red</c>, and <c>Rune of Protection: Green</c>. Two other runes exist complementing the cycle: <c>Rune of Protection: Artifacts</c> (uncommon) costs only one {{W}} mana to activate, as opposed to <c>Circle of Protection: Artifacts</c>, which costs {{2}} to activate. Finally, <c>Rune of Protection: Lands</c>, is a rare which prevented damage from lands. All 7 of the runes were illustrated by [[Scott M. Fischer]] and featured the same woman in the art. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/arcana/528|Cycling art mystery|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 22, 2004}}</ref>
  
  +
! {{G}}
⚫
*'''Uncommon growing enchantments''': Each of these uncommon growing enchantments can be sacrificed for an effect that grows with the number of verse counters on it {{-}} <c>Serra's Hymn</c>, <c>Lilting Refrain</c>, <c>Vile Requiem</c>, <c>Torch Song</c>, and <c>War Dance</c>.
  
  +
|-
−  
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Cycling lands'''
⚫
===Mega cycle===
  
  +
|{{card|Drifting Meadow||USG}}
−
*'''Uncommon "twos"''': Each card in this cycle has two targets {{-}} <c>Rain of Salt</c>, <c>Redeem</c> and <c>Symbiosis</c> (the latter-most being common instead of uncommon). Although a small cycle, the idea was continued in ''[[Urza's Legacy]]'' with the cards <c>Peace and Quiet</c>, <c>Rack and Ruin</c>, and <c>Sick and Tired</c> (the latter-most being common instead of uncommon).
  
  +
|{{card|Remote Isle||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Polluted Mire||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Smoldering Crater||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Slippery Karst||USG}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|These [[common]] [[land]]s come into play tapped and add one mana of the appropriate color, but can also be cycled. The related [[uncommon]] cycling land {{card|Blasted Landscape||USG}} adds only [[colorless]] mana, but comes into play untapped.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Embraces'''
  +
|{{card|Serra's Embrace||USG}}<br/>({{card|Serra Angel||LEA}})
  +
|{{card|Zephid's Embrace||USG}}<br/>({{card|Zephid||USG}})
  +
|{{card|Vampiric Embrace||USG}}<br/>({{card|Sengir Vampire||LEA}})
  +
|{{card|Shiv's Embrace||USG}}<br/>({{card|Shivan Dragon||LEA}})
  +
|{{card|Gaea's Embrace||USG}}<br/>({{card|Child of Gaea||USG}})
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|In an effort to get more people to play enchant creature Auras, this cycle was made which combined several abilities onto a card with a mana cost of {{2}}MM. Each card refers to a rare creature from either ''[[Alpha]]'' or ''Urza's Saga''. <c>Verdant Embrace</c> in ''[[Time Spiral]]'' referenced this cycle, mimicking <c>Verdant Force</c>.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Legendary lands'''
  +
|{{card|Serra's Sanctum||USG}}<br/>([[Enchantment]]s)
  +
|{{card|Tolarian Academy||USG}}<br/>([[Artifact]]s)
  +
|{{card|Phyrexian Tower||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Shivan Gorge||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Gaea's Cradle||USG}}<br/>([[Creature]]s)
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="5"|[[Rare]] [[legendary]] lands.
  +
*Three of the lands provide one colored mana of the listed color for each card you control of the listed type.
  +
*The other two lands produce {{C}} instead of colored mana and have a second ability which they can be tapped for.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Perpetual enchantments'''
  +
|{{card|Brilliant Halo||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Launch||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Despondency||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Fiery Mantle||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Fortitude||USG}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|When these [[common]] [[Aura]] [[enchantments]], each with a converted mana cost of 2, go to the graveyard, they are returned to their owner's hand.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Rare growing enchantments'''
  +
|{{card|Serra's Liturgy||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Recantation||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Discordant Dirge||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Rumbling Crescendo||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Midsummer Revel||USG}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Each of these rare [[growing enchantment]]s has a mana cost of {{3}}MM except for the white one that costs {{2}}{{W}}{{W}}. Each can be sacrificed by paying one mana of the appropriate color for an effect that grows with the number of verse counter on it.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Uncommon growing enchantments'''
  +
|{{card|Serra's Hymn||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Lilting Refrain||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Vile Requiem||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Torch Song||USG}}
  +
|{{card|War Dance||USG}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Each of these uncommon growing enchantments can be sacrificed for an effect that grows with the number of verse counters on it.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Runes of protection'''
  +
|{{card|Rune of Protection: White||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Rune of Protection: Blue||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Rune of Protection: Black||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Rune of Protection: Red||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Rune of Protection: Green||USG}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|These common enchantments are similar to the Circles of Protection from ''[[Alpha]]'', but their activation cost requires {{W}} rather than {{1}}, unlike the Circles which allowed for merely splashing white. Their cycling ability, however, gives them extra utility. Two other runes exist complementing the cycle: <c>Rune of Protection: Artifacts</c> (uncommon) costs only one {{W}} mana to activate, as opposed to <c>Circle of Protection: Artifacts</c>, which costs {{2}} to activate. Finally, <c>Rune of Protection: Lands</c>, is a rare which prevented damage from lands. All 7 of the runes were illustrated by [[Scott M. Fischer]] and featured the same woman in the art.<ref>{{DailyRef|cycling-art-mystery-2004-03-22|Cycling art mystery|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 22, 2004}}</ref>
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |'''Uncommon enemy color hate'''
  +
|{{card|Absolute Grace||USG}}, {{card|Absolute Law||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Douse||USG}}, {{card|Hibernation||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Yawgmoth's Edict||USG}}, {{card|Bereavement||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Disorder||USG}}, {{card|Scald||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Carpet of Flowers||USG}}, {{card|Spreading Algae||USG}}
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="5" |Each color contains an uncommon card that viciously attacks one of that color's two enemy colors. This is a throwback to a similar cycle from [[Revised Edition]].
  +
|}
  +
===Vertical cycles===
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
!Cycle name
  +
!{{keyrune|USG}}
  +
!{{keyrune|USG|rarity=u}}
  +
!{{keyrune|USG|rarity=r}}
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |'''"Free" Spells'''
  +
|{{card|Rewind||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Peregrine Drake||USG}}
  +
|{{card|Great Whale||USG}}, {{card|Time Spiral||USG}}
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="5" |Each of these [[blue]] spells has an effect that untaps a number of lands equal to their mana value. For the creatures, this untap happens as an enters the battlefield effect, and for the spells, they are part of the resolution of the ability.
  +
|}
  ⚫
=== Mega-mega cycle ===
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{W}}
  +
! {{U}}
  +
! {{B}}
  +
! {{R}}
  +
! {{G}}
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Voices'''
  +
|{{card|Voice of Truth|Nemesis}}
  +
|{{card|Voice of Reason|Urza's Destiny}}
  +
|{{card|Voice of Grace|Urza's Saga}}
  +
|{{card|Voice of Law|Urza's Saga}}
  +
|{{card|Voice of Duty|Urza's Destiny}}
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="5"|{{card|Voice of Grace||USG}} and {{card|Voice of Law||USG}} are the first and second cards in this mega-[[mega cycle]]. These are uncommon white 2/2 [[Angel]]s that has a mana cost of {{3}}{{W}} and have [[protection]] from a different color. {{card|Voice of All||PLS}}, who has protection from a color chosen as it enters the battlefield, would be released in [[Planeshift]] as an homage to the mega-mega cycle.
  +
|}
   
 
== Preconstructed decks ==
  
== Preconstructed decks ==
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==Notable cards==
  
==Notable cards==
−
*<c>Congregate</c> {{-}} Strong in [[multiplayer]]-games. <ref>{{NewRef|mm/team-building-2014-10-13|Team Building|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 13, 2014}}</ref>
 +
*<c>Congregate</c> {{-}} Strong in [[multiplayer]]-games.<ref>{{DailyRef|mm/team-building-2014-10-13|Team Building|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 13, 2014}}</ref>
−
*<c>Corrupt</c> {{-}} Finisher and life-gainer for mono-black decks who used <c>Yawgmoth's Bargain</c>.
 +
*<c>Corrupt</c> {{-}} Finisher and life-gainer for mono-black decks that used <c>Yawgmoth's Bargain</c>.
 
*<c>Duress</c> {{-}} For a long time this was the best discard card, now often replaced by <c>Thoughtseize</c>.
  
*<c>Duress</c> {{-}} For a long time this was the best discard card, now often replaced by <c>Thoughtseize</c>.
 
*<c>Fluctuator</c> {{-}} A card to take advantage of cycling by reducing cycling costs to nothing.
  
*<c>Fluctuator</c> {{-}} A card to take advantage of cycling by reducing cycling costs to nothing.
Line 97: Line 207:
   
 
==Reprinted cards==
  
==Reprinted cards==
−
The following cards have been [[Reprint|reprinted]] from previous sets and included in ''Urza's Saga''.
 +
The following cards have been [[reprint]]ed from previous sets and included in ''Urza's Saga''.
 
*<c>Anaconda</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''[[Portal]]''.
  
*<c>Anaconda</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''[[Portal]]''.
 
*<c>Bog Raiders</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''Portal''.
  
*<c>Bog Raiders</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''Portal''.
Line 120: Line 230:
 
*<c>Wildfire</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''Portal Second Age''.
  
*<c>Wildfire</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''Portal Second Age''.
   
−
==Functional reprints==
 +
===Functional reprints===
−
''Urza's Saga'' has six [[functional reprint]]s:
 +
''Urza's Saga'' has seven [[functional reprint]]s:
   
 
*<c>Argothian Swine</c> is a functional reprint of <c>War Mammoth</c> from ''[[5th Edition]]'' and <c>Wild Elephant</c> from ''[[Mirage]]'', save for creature type.
  
*<c>Argothian Swine</c> is a functional reprint of <c>War Mammoth</c> from ''[[5th Edition]]'' and <c>Wild Elephant</c> from ''[[Mirage]]'', save for creature type.
 
*<c>Blanchwood Treefolk</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Plated Wurm</c> from ''[[Portal Second Age]]'', save for creature type.
  
*<c>Blanchwood Treefolk</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Plated Wurm</c> from ''[[Portal Second Age]]'', save for creature type.
  +
*<c>Dromosaur</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Raging Gorilla</c> from ''[[Visions]]'', save for creature type.
 
*<c>Hollow Dogs</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Charging Bandits</c> from ''[[Portal]]'', save for creature type.
  
*<c>Hollow Dogs</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Charging Bandits</c> from ''[[Portal]]'', save for creature type.
 
*<c>Serra Zealot</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Tundra Wolves</c> from ''5th Edition'', save for creature type.
  
*<c>Serra Zealot</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Tundra Wolves</c> from ''5th Edition'', save for creature type.
−
*<c>Spire Owl</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Sage Owl</c> from ''[[Weatherlight]]'', save for creature type.
 +
*<c>Spire Owl</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Sage Owl</c> from ''[[Weatherlight]].''
 
*<c>Unworthy Dead</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Drudge Skeletons</c> from ''5th Edition'', <c>Walking Dead</c> from ''[[Legends]]'' and <c>Restless Dead</c> from ''Mirage''.
  
*<c>Unworthy Dead</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Drudge Skeletons</c> from ''5th Edition'', <c>Walking Dead</c> from ''[[Legends]]'' and <c>Restless Dead</c> from ''Mirage''.
  +
  +
==Card comparisons==
  +
{{main|Urza's Saga/Card comparisons}}
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{reflist}}
  +
−
{{sets}}
  
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
 
*{{Oldprodpage|Urzas_Saga|Urzas_Saga|Urza's Saga}} (old)
  
*{{Oldprodpage|Urzas_Saga|Urzas_Saga|Urza's Saga}} (old)
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*{{Prodpage|urzassaga|Urza's Saga}} (new)
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*{{Prodpage|urzas-saga|Urza's Saga}} (new)
   
  +
{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
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[[Category:Urza's block]]
  
  +
{{Dominaria|name=Urza's|block}}

Revision as of 01:05, 7 May 2021

Urza's Saga
 
Card comparisons
 
Theme decks
 
Official Guide
 

Urza's Saga
Urzas Saga logo
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description Gears
Design Mike Elliott (lead)
Richard Garfield
Bill Rose
Mark Rosewater
Development Mike Elliott (lead)
William Jockusch
Bill Rose
Mark Rosewater
Henry Stern
with contributions from Beth Moursund
Art direction Ron Spears
Release date October 12, 1998
Plane Dominaria
Phyrexia
Serra's Realm
Themes and mechanics Free spells, Sleeping and Growing enchantments
Keywords/​ability words Cycling, Echo
Set size 350 cards
(110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, 20 basic lands)
Expansion code USG[1]
Development codename Armadillo [2]
Urza's block
Urza's Saga Urza's Legacy Urza's Destiny
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Unglued Urza's Saga Anthologies

Urza's Saga is the fifteenth Magic expansion and was released in October 1998 as the first set in the Urza's block.

Set details

Urza's Saga is a 350-card black-bordered set containing 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, and 20 basic lands. Its expansion symbol is a set of gears, highlighting the artifacts theme of the set, and is meant to symbolize Urza’s experiments in finding a means to defeat Phyrexia.[3] R&D originally envisioned Urza's Saga (and the Urza block as a whole) to be centered on an enchantment theme,[4] but the creative team had already decided that the block should be all about Urza, the greatest artificer of all time. By further referring to the block and the companion books as the "Artifacts Cycle", the original idea disappeared from view. It didn't help that that the set contained some very powerful artifacts and artifact-themed cards like Fluctuator and Tolarian Academy. In fact, with so many cards in the set that were considered by many to be "broken," the following period became known as "Combo Winter," with many such "broken" cards and combos filling all tournament formats.[5] This led the DCI to ban a large number of cards in December 1998.

Marketing

Urza's Saga was the first set to replace 60-card starter decks with 75-card tournament decks, the idea being that this would make it easier to run Sealed deck tournaments. Cards were also sold in 15-card boosters and four preconstructed theme decks. Each booster pack contained 15 cards: 11 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare. The boosters featured artwork from Herald of Serra, Chimeric Staff and Phyrexian Colossus. The prerelease promo for Urza's Saga (September 26, 1998) was a foil Lightning Dragon; this was the first time a Magic card was released in foil, though the next set in the block, Urza's Legacy, had foil cards inserted randomly into booster packs.[6]

Written by Duelist Executive Editor Will McDermott, the The Official Guide to Urza's Saga takes a card-by-card look at spells, artifacts and specialty lands in set. In addition to the card analysis, the Guide includes images of every card in the expansion and presents a unique look at Urza's story from the explosive end of the Brothers' War to his discovery of the Thran Mana Rig.

Storyline

From the perilous domains of Phyrexia and Shiv to the splendor of Serra's Realm, Argoth, and Tolaria, he travels the planes seeking weapons to destroy the dark forces that stalk him.[7] New magic discovered. New power revealed. Urza's Saga has begun.

Hundreds of years have passed since the Brothers' War, but many things that started there are only now coming to fruition. Urza's Saga departs from the story of Gerrard and Volrath in a flashback, showing the origins of the Legacy. The readers meet Teferi in his student days and Serra at the peak of her power.

Mechanics and themes

Like many earlier blocks, Urza's Saga did not have an overarching theme, though it did have an emphasis on enchantments and artifacts. The popular cycling keyword, which allowed players to discard unwanted cards to draw new ones, was introduced in this set. Echo, a keyword requiring a second mana payment on a permanent in exchange for higher than usual stats, also debuted in Urza's Saga.[8]

Non-keyworded abilities appearing in Urza's Saga include free spells, growing enchantments and sleeping enchantments.

Misprints

Creature types

No new creature types were introduced in this expansion.

The following creature types are used in this expansion but also appear in previous sets: Ape, Avatar, Beast, Bird, Boar, Cat, Centaur, Cleric, Crab, Djinn, Dragon, Drake, Elemental, Elf, Enchantress (later changed to Druid), Giant, Goblin, Hippo, Horror, Illusion, Imp, Insect, Knight, Lizard, Merfolk, Pegasus, Shade, Shapeshifter, Skeleton, Snake, Soldier, Spirit, Thrull, Treefolk, Troll, Viashino, Wall, Whale, Wizard, Worm, Wurm, Zombie.

Cycles

Urza's Saga has seven cycles:

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Cycling lands Drifting Meadow Remote Isle Polluted Mire Smoldering Crater Slippery Karst
These common lands come into play tapped and add one mana of the appropriate color, but can also be cycled. The related uncommon cycling land Blasted Landscape adds only colorless mana, but comes into play untapped.
Embraces Serra's Embrace
(Serra Angel) 		Zephid's Embrace
(Zephid) 		Vampiric Embrace
(Sengir Vampire) 		Shiv's Embrace
(Shivan Dragon) 		Gaea's Embrace
(Child of Gaea)
In an effort to get more people to play enchant creature Auras, this cycle was made which combined several abilities onto a card with a mana cost of {2}MM. Each card refers to a rare creature from either Alpha or Urza's Saga. Verdant Embrace in Time Spiral referenced this cycle, mimicking Verdant Force.
Legendary lands Serra's Sanctum
(Enchantments) 		Tolarian Academy
(Artifacts) 		Phyrexian Tower Shivan Gorge Gaea's Cradle
(Creatures)
Rare legendary lands.
  • Three of the lands provide one colored mana of the listed color for each card you control of the listed type.
  • The other two lands produce {C} instead of colored mana and have a second ability which they can be tapped for.
Perpetual enchantments Brilliant Halo Launch Despondency Fiery Mantle Fortitude
When these common Aura enchantments, each with a converted mana cost of 2, go to the graveyard, they are returned to their owner's hand.
Rare growing enchantments Serra's Liturgy Recantation Discordant Dirge Rumbling Crescendo Midsummer Revel
Each of these rare growing enchantments has a mana cost of {3}MM except for the white one that costs {2}{W}{W}. Each can be sacrificed by paying one mana of the appropriate color for an effect that grows with the number of verse counter on it.
Uncommon growing enchantments Serra's Hymn Lilting Refrain Vile Requiem Torch Song War Dance
Each of these uncommon growing enchantments can be sacrificed for an effect that grows with the number of verse counters on it.
Runes of protection Rune of Protection: White Rune of Protection: Blue Rune of Protection: Black Rune of Protection: Red Rune of Protection: Green
These common enchantments are similar to the Circles of Protection from Alpha, but their activation cost requires {W} rather than {1}, unlike the Circles which allowed for merely splashing white. Their cycling ability, however, gives them extra utility. Two other runes exist complementing the cycle: Rune of Protection: Artifacts (uncommon) costs only one {W} mana to activate, as opposed to Circle of Protection: Artifacts, which costs {2} to activate. Finally, Rune of Protection: Lands, is a rare which prevented damage from lands. All 7 of the runes were illustrated by Scott M. Fischer and featured the same woman in the art.[9]
Uncommon enemy color hate Absolute Grace, Absolute Law Douse, Hibernation Yawgmoth's Edict, Bereavement Disorder, Scald Carpet of Flowers, Spreading Algae
Each color contains an uncommon card that viciously attacks one of that color's two enemy colors. This is a throwback to a similar cycle from Revised Edition.

Vertical cycles

Cycle name
"Free" Spells Rewind Peregrine Drake Great Whale, Time Spiral
Each of these blue spells has an effect that untaps a number of lands equal to their mana value. For the creatures, this untap happens as an enters the battlefield effect, and for the spells, they are part of the resolution of the ability.

Mega-mega cycle

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Voices Voice of Truth (Nemesis) Voice of Reason (Urza's Destiny) Voice of Grace (Urza's Saga) Voice of Law (Urza's Saga) Voice of Duty (Urza's Destiny)
Voice of Grace and Voice of Law are the first and second cards in this mega-mega cycle. These are uncommon white 2/2 Angels that has a mana cost of {3}{W} and have protection from a different color. Voice of All, who has protection from a color chosen as it enters the battlefield, would be released in Planeshift as an homage to the mega-mega cycle.

Preconstructed decks

Main article: Urza's Saga/Theme decks

Urza's Saga has four theme decks. The expansion was the first one to feature a three-colored theme deck.[10]

Theme
deck name 		Colors Included
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
The Plague W B
Sleeper W
Special Delivery R G
Tombstone W U B

Notable cards

Reprinted cards

The following cards have been reprinted from previous sets and included in Urza's Saga.

Functional reprints

Urza's Saga has seven functional reprints:

Card comparisons

Main article: Urza's Saga/Card comparisons

References

  1. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (August 02, 2004). "Ask Wizards - August, 2004". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Magic Arcana (June 21, 2002). "Armadillos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Brady Dommermuth (October 31, 2006). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 07, 2010). "Disadvantaged". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 10, 2003). "Make No Mistake". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 26, 2004). "The first foil prerelease card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Scott McGough (March 21, 2011). "From the Ground Up". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (1998) "New Features of Urza's Saga"
  9. ↑ Magic Arcana (March 22, 2004). "Cycling art mystery". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Urza's Saga Preconstructed Decks — Wizards of the Coast
  11. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 13, 2014). "Team Building". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

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