The Urza bock is regarded by many as the best expansion to the game of Magic the Gathering. It contains 3 sets of particularly powerful, game breaking cards. the first of the three is the strongest: Urza’s Saga:

Urza’s Saga – Released late 1998

Cards for Urza’s Saga are considered some of the best ever printed. Many of them help define the vintage format, where they are just down right amazing. From card advantage to infinite combos, this set covers all the bases. It is very expensive to purchase today, not only because of its rarity, but because it contains so many defining cards. Urza’s saga also introduced a couple of new mechanics to the game. Before this set, “Echo” and “Cycling” were unheard of in MTG. “Echo” is an additional cost one must play to keep their creature in play. It requires some sort of payment the upkeep after the the card comes into play. Cards with “Echo” generally have very  low mana costs or big “comes into play” abilities. Cycling allows for a new approach to using situational cards in decks. Cycling is an ability on a card that allows you to discard the card from your hand for a cost and draw a new card. It makes situational cards (such as renditions of disenchant) much more safe to use.

As for picking the best card in the set, many factors must be taken into account. Several of the rares in this set cost around 20 dollars and all are their respective price due to their usability in select decks. As stated before, this set contains some Vintage (type1) defining cards. Keeping that in mind, there is a card in Urza’s Saga that is a crucial part of many first turn wins and infinite combos. It is restricted to 1 in vintage (as well as a couple of other cards in the set) and is arguably the best card in the set. Remember though, it does not much of an effect unless you’re running an artifact deck…

Tolarian Accademy – Rare

Runners up -  Yawgomoth’s Will, Gaea’s Cradle, Morphling, Goblin Lackey

Urza’s Destiny – Early 1999

Urza’s Legacy was a strong set as well, Not quite the gamebreaking set like its counterpart, but still a very well rounded set. It continues the trends of Echo and Cycling as well as adding one new ability to the game. Urza’s Legacy contains a small block of enchantments that lay dormant until your opponent plays a creature spell. they then suddenly jump to life as a large creature compared to the mana cost of the enchantment. these cards are very cool, but very defensive, and sometimes can backfire and be dead draws if drawn in the wrong situation. Urza’s Legacy was also the first set where holographic cards were constantly inserted into random packs. Collectors could now have shiny versions of their favorite cards!

With many many solid card in the set it is, again, hard to choose one to be the best. Deranged Hermit is a crowd pleaser and is possibly the most well known card in the set among casual players. It is a staple in a squirrel deck and a great card in itself. Another awesome card in the set is also green. It is used in some very powerful and unique decks as a fetch card for guys like Progenitus, Krosan Cloudscraper, and any other creature you just feel like rooting through your deck for (and there is no catch! just make sure your opponent has enough creatures!)…

Defense of the Heart – Rare 

Runners up: Goblin Welder, Deranged Hermit

Urza’s Destiny – Released 1999

Urza’s Destiny wrapped up the Urza block and the story of the legendary planeswalker. It continues the tradition of board sweeping abilities and monstrous creatures. It continues the tradition of foil cards and many of its cards still see play today! It truly did a good job of acting as a not-too-ridiculously-strong finale to the best block of cards in the game of Magic the Gathering.

Many standout cards in this set such a Thorn Elemental and Elvish piper remain famous today. Magic by this point has truly become a well developed game. The best card in the set provides some very solid mana production, enough mana production to kick off some amazing early game (even second turn) game ending combos. Underused and underrated and relatively inexpensive to buy, I am surprised to find that very little players I have encountered use this card… It’s probably not the card you were thinking of…

Metalworker – Rare

This wraps up the coverage of the strongest block in MTG. Cards from these sets will be used for years and years to come. the Urza Block is followed by the Masques Block, another strong group of cards. Click here to continue reading about the Masques Block!

Thanks for reading and feedback is great!

(pictures from www.Magiccards.info)