Phytoburst MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Number	46
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Izzy

Key Takeaways

Provides significant temporary creature boost, trading card advantage for immediate in-game impact.
Low cost allows for strategic mana use, propelling aggressive gameplay without hindering other plays.
Lacks recurring value after use, demanding strategic deployment in creature-heavy green decks.

Text of card

Target creature gets +5/+5 until end of turn.

Phytohydras are banned as houseplants in many residential spires. If left unfed, they find their own exit—usually at the cost of extensive property damage.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Phytoburst doesn’t directly offer card draw, its substantial buff provides a significant in-game presence, effectively allowing your creature to deal more damage or overcome larger threats without expending multiple cards.

Resource Acceleration: Phytoburst doesn’t generate mana or Treasure tokens; however, its low casting cost acts as a form of resource acceleration, enabling a cheaper and quicker enhancement of your creatures and preserving mana for other strategies in your turn.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Phytoburst requires planning to maximize its potential during your turn, encouraging strategic foresight to derive the best possible outcome from its powerful temporary boost.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Phytoburst offers a solid boost, it doesn’t come with a discard requirement. However, it’s a one-time use card with no recurring benefits, which means once it’s played, it’s gone, potentially leaving you with one less card in hand than you might prefer.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific green mana cost to be played. If your deck isn’t heavily focused on green mana or you encounter a mana shortage, Phytoburst may linger uselessly in your hand until the right mana comes along.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it provides a formidable +5/+5 boost, its two mana cost is high when compared to other pump spells in MTG. Some players might find that using two mana for a temporary boost may not be as strategic as other options that might provide more long-term benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phytoburst is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck types, particularly those that emphasize swift, aggressive strategies. It’s an instant boost in power for creature-based tactics, aiming to deal decisive damage early in the game.

Combo Potential: The substantial temporary boost in power provided by Phytoburst can be the linchpin for combinations that aim for a one-turn kill (OTK) or to significantly advance your board position by overcoming key enemy creatures in battle.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggro decks are flourishing, the inclusion of Phytoburst can give you an edge by enabling your creatures to prevail in combat against bulkier threats or to close games before control decks stabilize.

How to beat

Phytoburst is a potent buff spell in Magic: The Gathering, known for its straightforward ability to boost a creature’s strength significantly during a turn. To effectively counter Phytoburst, one should anticipate the card’s presence in green aggressive or “pump” strategies. The best approach is to keep removal or bounce spells at the ready, allowing you to respond to the creature that is targeted by Phytoburst. Spells like Path to Exile or Unsummon can efficiently mitigate the threat by dealing with the creature before the damage amplifies.

Savvy players also harness the power of counter spells or effects that prevent the casting of non-creature spells, such as Negate or Disallow. Alternatively, including cards that can provide instant-speed creature toughness boosts or indestructibility, like Gods Willing, can effectively blunt the force of Phytoburst. Another approach is to employ a strategy that limits the opponent’s ability to attack successfully, utilizing cards with abilities like Reach or simply by presenting a strong defensive line.

Ultimately, by maintaining board control, being prepared to interact at instant speed, and disrupting the opponent’s game plan, you can navigate around the surging power of Phytoburst and keep your adversary’s creatures in check.

Cards like Phytoburst

Phytoburst is a unique spell in Magic: The Gathering that significantly boosts a creature’s power. In terms of instant-effect buffs, Giant Growth is a close comparison, offering a more modest increase in power and toughness, although at a lower cost. On the other hand, Phytoburst distinguishes itself by focusing solely on power enhancement, providing a whopping +5/+0 boost, which could be decisive in combat.

Another card to consider alongside Phytoburst is Titanic Growth, which presents a balanced power and toughness boost of +4/+4. While Titanic Growth slightly alters the dynamics of attack and defense, Phytoburst sacrifices this balance for an aggressive, all-in tactic. Then there’s Brute Force, delivering a +3/+3 boost at a single red mana cost. Though it doesn’t reach Phytoburst’s level of augmentation, Brute Force allows for a quick and unexpected power surge in the heat of battle.

Ultimately, Phytoburst stands out in its category for enabling monumental increases in creature power. Despite lacking versatility in defensive situations, the sheer offensive potential makes it a formidable tool in the arsenal of any player looking to overpower their opponent swiftly.

Cards similar to Phytoburst by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phytoburst MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Phytoburst and other MTG cards: