Magic: The Gathering

Cathodion

Urza's Saga 287 • uncommon

Set: Urza's Saga
Collector number: 287
Rarity: Uncommon
Mana cost: 3 generic mana
Type: Creature
Colors: Colorless
Artist: Henry G. Higginbotham
Market price: $0.31

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$0.31est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

7other printings of this card

Market

What it's worth

$0.31market price via TCGplayer · Oct 7, 2026$0.29 – $0.31 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Cathodion; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

As a card from the Urza's Saga set, Cathodion represents an enduring piece of deck-building history. Its role as an uncommon artifact creature makes it a versatile tool for generating colorless mana, a mechanic that collectors prize for its utility in powering up complex strategies on the table.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Card face

What it does

When this creature dies, add colorless mana colorless mana colorless mana.

Instead of creating a tool that would be damaged by heat, the Thran built one that was charged by it.

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperLegal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulLegal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Cathodion was released in 1998 as part of the Urza's Saga expansion for Magic: The Gathering. As an artifact creature, it reflects the block's focus on complex mechanical interactions and the lore surrounding the artificer Urza. The card was designed to provide colorless mana ramp upon its destruction, a functional utility that made it a tactical choice in decks emphasizing artifact-based strategies during the late nineties.

The card features an illustration by artist Donato Giancola, who was commissioned to capture the surreal, metallic nature of the creature. Giancola's design leans into the high-fantasy aesthetic of the era, focusing on the blend of magical circuitry and physical form. Upon its debut, the card was viewed by players as a solid, mid-tier utility piece that fit well into the evolving, artifact-heavy environment of the Urza block.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Collectors

Who's collecting this

Real cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.

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About

About Cathodion

Cathodion is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Urza's Saga 287 • uncommon. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

How many collectors track Cathodion on collecto.rs?

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Can I track my own copy of Cathodion?

Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other magic: the gathering collectors. Your collection stays private by default.

Where does the Cathodion catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Cathodion is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.