Magic: The
Gathering Set Spotlight: Urza’s Legacy

Release Date: February 15, 1999

Introduction to Urza’s Legacy

‘Urza’s Legacy’ is a captivating expansion set within the world of
Magic: The Gathering. Released in February 1999, it marked the sixteenth
expansion set and continued the epic saga of Urza, one of the most
significant characters in Magic’s lore.

Unveiling the Legacy of Urza

Urza’s Legacy delves deeper into the enduring legacy of Urza, the
powerful planeswalker. The set explores the impact of Urza’s inventions
and their consequences on the world of Dominaria.

Notable Mechanics and Themes

Urza’s Legacy introduced several mechanics and themes that set it
apart:

• Artifacts Matter: The set continued to explore
  the theme of artifacts, offering a variety of cards and mechanics that
  interacted with artifacts in unique ways.
• Echo: Urza’s Legacy introduced the ‘echo’
  mechanic, which required players to pay an additional cost on their next
  upkeep to keep a creature with ‘echo’ on the battlefield.
• Spellshapers: The set included ‘spellshapers,’
  creatures with the ability to mimic the effects of spells, adding
  versatility to gameplay.

Notable Cards from Urza’s Legacy

Urza’s Legacy features several cards with distinctive abilities and
connections to the legacy of Urza. Some of the most notable include:

• Yawgmoth’s Bargain: A black enchantment that
  facilitates card draw at the cost of life, offering significant card
  advantage.
• Cunning Wish: A blue instant with a unique
  ability to fetch other cards from outside the game, adding a strategic
  element to deck-building.
• Academy Rector: A white creature with the
  ability to sacrifice itself and search for a powerful enchantment,
  contributing to enchantment-based strategies.

The Urza’s Legacy Expansion Symbol

The expansion symbol for Urza’s Legacy features a broken hourglass,
symbolizing the passage of time and the consequences of Urza’s actions
on the multiverse.

Limited Print Run and Collectible Value

Urza’s Legacy had a limited print run, contributing to the
collectible value of its cards. The cards from this set are recognized
by their distinctive black border, setting them apart from other Magic
sets.

Historical Significance

Urza’s Legacy is historically significant for its continued
exploration of Urza’s legacy and the ongoing theme of artifacts. It’s
celebrated for its contributions to Magic’s lore and gameplay.

As with all Magic cards, the value of cards from Urza’s Legacy can
fluctuate over time due to collector demand and format legality. To stay
updated on Urza’s Legacy and its cards, we recommend checking Magic: The
Gathering websites, consulting with local card shops, and connecting
with fellow collectors.