Gossamer Phantasm MTG Card
2007-02-02 - Number 55
2021-03-19 - Number 70
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Illusion |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying When Gossamer Phantasm becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.
"Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits." —Hakim, Loreweaver
Cards like Gossamer Phantasm
Gossamer Phantasm brings its own flair to the realm of evasive creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This spectral being shares traits with other phantasmal creatures, such as the Phantasmal Bear, known for its illusory condition. While both are susceptible to collapse under targeted spells or abilities, Gossamer Phantasm offers flying, a feature that sets it high above its earthbound cousin.
Delving further into the comparison, we can look at another kin, the Phantom Warrior. Also elusive, the Warrior guarantees unblockable hits but trades the Phantasm’s vulnerability for a sturdier two additional mana in its casting cost. It’s a trade-off that some may find worth the extra security and reliability on the battlefield.
When evaluated side by side, Gossamer Phantasm’s low mana cost and flying ability make it a tempting choice for players crafting decks that need a cheap and airborne threat. Its fragility is a small price to pay for such a swift and unassailable attacker, especially in formats where the skies are less contested and speed is of the essence.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gossamer Phantasm presents a strategic element by potentially forcing your opponent to expend a card, thus creating an indirect card advantage. Its evasion also makes it a good card for certain combo decks where you need to bide time without spending too many resources on creature defense.
Resource Acceleration: Although Gossamer Phantasm doesn’t directly offer mana acceleration, its low casting cost allows for a quick deployment. This means you can establish board presence while keeping mana open for other plays, efficiently managing your resources.
Instant Speed: Despite Gossamer Phantasm not being an instant itself, it synergizes well with instant speed spells in your deck. Its ability to become unblockable except by Spirits or Arcane spells makes it an ideal candidate to be buffed with instant speed enchantments or abilities during combat, catching opponents off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the limitations of Gossamer Phantasm is its susceptibility to targeted spells or abilities from an opponent. Its ability mandates that if it becomes the target of a spell or ability, you must sacrifice it, which can lead to a loss of board presence and momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: Gossamer Phantasm calls for a specific allocation of mana, one blue and one other, to be cast. This requirement could potentially restrict its integration into multi-colored decks that may have a more demanding or complex mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with a power of just 1 and a toughness of 1, the total mana cost to summon Gossamer Phantasm might be seen as steep, considering other creatures or spells at similar cost thresholds offer greater value or sturdier stats.
Reasons to Include Gossamer Phantasm in Your Collection
Versatility: Gossamer Phantasm is a card that can seamlessly blend into various deck archetypes. Its cheap mana cost and evasion in the form of flying make it a useful tool for both offensive strategies and defensive setups.
Combo Potential: Working well with cards that revolve around creature count or need to trigger upon creatures casting, Gossamer Phantasm can be sacrificed for greater effects or used as a reliable means to fuel such synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s ability to apply early game pressure and serve as a blocker for other flying creatures, it holds its ground in a meta that favors aggressive starts or decks that seek to deploy creatures with evasive abilities quickly.
How to beat
Gossamer Phantasm presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its illusory prowess in Magic: The Gathering. As an ephemeral entity, this card is characterized by its ability as a 2/1 flyer for just two mana, a cost-effective option for early game aerial pressure. Nevertheless, its fragility is revealed through its key downside: its susceptibility to any spell or ability that targets it, causing it to be sacrificed immediately.
Overcoming the Gossamer Phantasm hinges on utilizing spells that can target without requiring significant investment. Simple one-mana cantrips or even creature abilities that target can prompt the phantasm to vanish. Creatures with tap abilities that target or even spells that alter a creature’s attributes can effectively counter it. This interesting play dynamic creates an environment where even the most inconspicuous card or creature ability can turn into a strategic advantage against Gossamer Phantasm.
Ultimately, this MTG card poses a delicate balance between cost and resilience. Players must be mindful of its presence and be ready with a targeting tool to nullify its aerial threat effectively. Gossamer Phantasm exemplifies the nuanced tactics and interactions that make Magic: The Gathering a deeply strategic and engaging game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gossamer Phantasm MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Gossamer Phantasm and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Gossamer Phantasm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Jon Foster.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-02-02 | Planar Chaos | PLC | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jon Foster | |
| 2 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jon Foster |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gossamer Phantasm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gossamer Phantasm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | Gossamer Phantasm’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered. |
| 2021-03-19 | If the spell that targets Gossamer Phantasm has no other targets, it won’t resolve (because it no longer has a legal target after Gossamer Phantasm has been sacrificed). |