Drift of Phantasms MTG Card


Offers significant card advantage by searching for any three-cost card from your deck. Versatile in gameplay; serves as a blocker and an instant-speed enabler for combos. Despite high investment costs, this card is a valuable asset for many deck strategies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Defender,Flying,Transmute
Power 0
Toughness 5

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Flying Transmute (, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same converted mana cost as this card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library. Play only as a sorcery.)


Cards like Drift of Phantasms

Drift of Phantasms offers a unique versatility within the roster of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to other creatures like Wall of Omens or Wall of Blossoms. These walls provide immediate value by drawing a card upon entering the battlefield, but Drift of Phantasms adds a strategic layer with its Transmute ability. For the same converted mana cost, Drift of Phantasms can be exchanged for any card with a cost of three, making it a powerful tool for fetching key pieces in a deck.

Analogous to Drift of Phantasms in its tutoring capability is Muddle the Mixture. While not a creature, Muddle the Mixture also possesses the Transmute mechanic, efficiently searching for needed cards. It has the additional flexibility of being an instant-speed Counterspell, thereby serving a dual purpose in a game. Besides, creatures like Trinket Mage share the searching trait, but instead of fetching any card with a specific cost, Trinket Mage is restricted to searching for artifacts with a cost of one or less, presenting a narrower but still highly tactical option.

Drift of Phantasms distinguishes itself as a multifaceted card. Its defensive stats, combined with the Transmute ability, place it as a preferable choice for decks requiring both protection and the right tools at the right time.

Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Muddle the Mixture - MTG Card versions
Trinket Mage - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Muddle the Mixture - MTG Card versions
Trinket Mage - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Drift of Phantasms by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Drift of Phantasms. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Walls ComboWalls Combo PauperWalls ComboPauper Challenge 32 2024-03-31
Walls ScomboWalls Scombo PauperWalls ComboTappa Lega Pauperissima "Road to Pisa" @Magic Akiba
Wall ComboWall Combo PauperWalls ComboOgonyok

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Drift of Phantasms brings a unique edge to the battlefield with its Transmute ability. For just three mana, this card can be traded for any other card with a converted mana cost of three from your deck, ensuring that you have the right tools at the right time. This translates to significant card advantage, as it effectively sifts through your library for the perfect response or threat to match the state of play.

Resource Acceleration: While Drift of Phantasms itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, its Transmute capability accelerates your access to key cards that can. Being able to fetch a crucial ramp card or a combo piece quickly can be just as critical to victory as traditional mana acceleration.

Instant Speed: Another strength of Drift of Phantasms lies in its flexibility in casting. As a creature with defender, it can be a reliable blocker when you need to protect your life total. However, where it shines is the instant-speed Transmute ability. This means you can pass the turn with mana open, ready to adapt to an opponent’s move. If nothing pressing arises, you can then use the Transmute at the end of their turn, efficiently utilizing your mana and keeping your options open.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Drift of Phantasms doesn’t have a discard requirement, but as a card with an alternative transmute ability, it requires you to pay three mana and discard it to search for a card. While this can be an effective way to tutor for a specific card, the one-time use paired with spending mana can set you back if not timed correctly.

Specific Mana Cost: It is important to note that Drift of Phantasms requires three blue mana to cast. This specificity can constrain deck building, as including it in decks without a strong blue mana base can be challenging and potentially restrict your mana flexibility for other spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three blue to cast and also to transmute, Drift of Phantasms can be seen as having a high mana investment for its ability to search for a card with a converted mana cost of three. In some cases, players might favor lower-cost alternatives or cards that allow multiple uses over a single, cost-specific tutor effect.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Drift of Phantasms offers flexibility as a defender with a decent toughness, but the real utility comes from its Transmute ability. This lets you search for any card with a converted mana cost of 3, fitting into a wide range of deck strategies that require specific card combinations.

Combo Potential: Players treasure Drift of Phantasms for its ability to fetch key cards that enable or complete a combo. Whether you need a particular counter, a piece to an engine, or a combo-enabler, it acts as an effective tutor to pull together the elements you need.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where finding answers to your opponent’s threats quickly is paramount, Drift of Phantasms gains significance. Its ability to fetch silver bullet solutions or critical deck pieces keeps it relevant and guarantees its place in many sideboards and main decks alike.


How to Beat Drift of Phantasms

Drift of Phantasms holds a unique role in Magic: The Gathering as a defender with the transmute ability, allowing players to search their library for any card with a converted mana cost of three. While this card is a fantastic tool for fetching combo pieces, it doesn’t have to be a thorn in your side during a game.

Overcoming Drift of Phantasms usually involves either preventing it from reaching the battlefield or neutralizing its ability to fetch other cards. Countering it with instants such as Negate or Mana Leak can keep it from ever posing a threat. Alternatively, if it’s already on the field, tools like Pithing Needle can shut down activated abilities including transmute, hindering the card’s utility without having to remove it directly.

Discard effects can be another efficient strategy. By forcing your opponent to discard it from their hand with cards like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, you remove the need to deal with it on the battlefield altogether. Given that it’s a creature card as well, simple removal spells are always an option. This flexibility in strategy ensures that, while Drift of Phantasms can be a powerful asset in MTG, it is far from unbeatable.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is a constant endeavor, and cards like Drift of Phantasms prove instrumental on this quest, bolstering your deck’s consistency and strategic depth. Its Transmute ability is a game-changing tool for those crucial moments when finding the right card means the difference between victory and defeat. Embrace the versatility it offers, shaping your gameplay to be as adaptable and unpredictable as the game itself. Dive into the layers of strategy that this card and others like it can add to your collection. Enhance your MTG experience by learning more about leveraging such tactical assets to their fullest potential with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Drift of Phantasms MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and The List, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Drift of Phantasms and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Drift of Phantasms Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Michael Phillippi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 462003NormalBlackMichael Phillippi
22020-09-26The ListPLST RAV-462003NormalBlackMichael Phillippi
32024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3141997NormalBlackMichael Phillippi
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 422015NormalBlackMichael Phillippi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Drift of Phantasms has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal