Urborg JusticeHow it works & interactions with other cards

Tracking the Body Count

Urborg Justice counts every creature that was put into your graveyard from the battlefield at any point during the current turn before the spell resolves. This includes tokens, as they technically hit the graveyard before disappearing, as well as creatures that have since been moved out of your graveyard by other effects.

How it Resolves

When you cast Urborg Justice, you choose a target opponent. Upon resolution, the game checks how many creatures moved from your side of the battlefield to your graveyard this turn. The targeted opponent must then choose and sacrifice that many creatures. Crucially, this spell does not target the creatures themselves, meaning it can force an opponent to sacrifice creatures with Hexproof or Shroud.

Strategic Timing

Because this spell is an instant, you can cast it during your post-combat main phase after a devastating block, or even during an opponent's turn after they have used a board wipe. To get the maximum value, you should wait until the end of a phase where several of your creatures have perished.

Interaction examples

Mana Acceleration for Justice

Dark Ritual

If three of your creatures died during combat, you can use Dark Ritual to generate three black mana. Use two of that mana to cast Urborg Justice targeting your opponent. Since three creatures entered your graveyard this turn, your opponent must sacrifice three creatures of their choice.

Finding the Answer

Vampiric Tutor

If an opponent destroys your board, you can cast Vampiric Tutor at the end of their turn to put Urborg Justice on top of your library. On your next turn, after drawing it, you can cast it immediately. Even though the creatures died on a previous turn, if you find a way to sacrifice a small token on your current turn first, Urborg Justice will at least force one sacrifice.