Grip of Phyresis MTG Card

Grips an opponent’s Equipment and automatically equips it, shifting game balance instantly. Operates at instant speed, enabling surprise during combat or in response to spells. Demands precise mana and sacrifices a card from hand, weighing its strategic use.

Commander 2016 (C16)
2016-11-11 - Number 9

Treasure Chest (PZ2)
2016-11-16 - Number 12

Grip of Phyresis - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
2018-06-08 - Number 43

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

Gain control of target Equipment, then create a 0/0 black Germ creature token and attach that Equipment to it.

"Even your blade knows who will triumph here." —Atraxa, Praetors' Voice

Cards like Grip of Phyresis

The allure of Grip of Phyresis lies in its unique ability to commandeer any equipment from your opponent’s arsenal in MTG. This compares interestingly with other theft-style cards such as Control Magic, which allows you to take control of a creature rather than an artifact. Nonetheless, Control Magic demands a steeper mana investment and remains constrained to creatures.

Looking towards cards like Steal Artifact, the parallels become clear. Steal Artifact can also snatch an opponent’s artifact, but unlike Grip of Phyresis, it doesn’t automatically attach the taken equipment to a creature you control. This subtle distinction can influence the dynamism of play, giving Grip of Phyresis a tactical edge in equipping strategies.

Then there’s the versatile Commandeer, enabling the redirection of non-creature spells, not merely artifacts. Although Commandeer doesn’t transfer ownership like Grip of Phyresis, it does offer instantaneous control, broadening its scope of interruption. Considering all angles, Grip of Phyresis earns its reputation as a specialized weapon-stealing sorcery in MTG circles, with its immediate impact on equipment balance during a match.

Cards similar to Grip of Phyresis by color, type and mana cost

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grip of Phyresis shines in exchanging board presence by taking control of an opponent’s equipment. This sudden shift can not only deprive your opponent of a key piece but also enhance your own battlefield with additional assets without expending extra cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce mana, by commandeering equipment, it offsets your resource expenditure. Instead of casting your own artifacts, you use those already played, effectively accelerating your game plan and saving mana for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: The beauty of this card is its ability to disrupt at the most opportune moment. Acting at instant speed gives you the flexibility to choose the perfect time to alter the equipment dynamics, perhaps in the middle of combat or in response to an opponent’s spell, thus preserving the element of surprise and maximizing your tactical advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must part with a card from their hand to utilize Grip of Phyresis’ effect, which may not always be a viable option, especially when cards in hand are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge during play.

Specific Mana Cost: Grip of Phyresis commands a precise mana investment of one blue and two others to be cast. Decks not configured to consistently produce blue mana may struggle to weave this card effectively into their strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana to take control of target equipment and attach it to a creature you control, the card competes with other spells in its mana range. When considering the cost versus impact, some players might opt for alternatives with more immediate board presence influence.

Reasons to Include Grip of Phyresis in Your Collection

Versatility: Grip of Phyresis can be a unique addition to your arsenal as it allows you to take control of any Equipment on the battlefield, instantly equipping it to one of your creatures. This can swing momentum in your favor or dismantle your opponent’s strategy.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks built around Equipment synergies, potentially creating powerful combinations with cards that benefit from equipment being attached or moved between creatures. It’s also a way to protectively snatch an Equipment before an opponent can make use of it.

Meta-Relevance: With Equipment-themed decks always in flux within the MTG meta, Grip of Phyresis maintains continual relevance. It acts as a counter to popular Equipment cards and strategies, making it a smart tech choice in various formats.

How to Beat Grip of Phyresis

Grip of Phyresis is a unique card within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, bringing an unexpected twist to the battlefield. This instant can take you by surprise, as it allows the player to gain control of another player’s Equipment, then attach it to a creature they control. It’s reminiscent of cards like Act of Treason but for Equipment, making it a game-changer when it comes to equipment strategies.

In the face of such a potential theft, one must strategize to mitigate its impact. A straightforward method is to keep up mana for instant-speed removal, such as Path to Exile or Naturalize, allowing you to respond by destroying the target Equipment before it changes sides. Moreover, maintaining a keen awareness of open mana from an opponent who might have Grip of Phyresis in their deck is vital. You may also consider running counterspells or discard effects to address it directly from your opponent’s hand, preventing its activation altogether.

Key to outmaneuvering Grip of Phyresis lies in anticipation and preparedness. By having a plan for disrupting your opponent’s attempts to alter the tide of Equipment control, you stand a better chance of maintaining the upper hand and ensuring your Gear remains safely in your service.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grip of Phyresis MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2016 and Treasure Chest, 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 Grip of Phyresis and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grip of Phyresis Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-11-11 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Lake Hurwitz.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-11-11	Commander 2016	C16	9	2015	Normal	Black	Lake Hurwitz
2	2016-11-16	Treasure Chest	PZ2	12	2015	Normal	Black	Lake Hurwitz
3	2018-06-08	Commander Anthology Volume II	CM2	43	2015	Normal	Black	Lake Hurwitz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grip of Phyresis has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grip of Phyresis card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2016-11-08	If the Equipment doesn’t provide a toughness boost, your Germ token will have 0 toughness and die. You’ll still control the Equipment.
2016-11-08	The Germ token exists on the battlefield as a 0/0 for a brief moment before the Equipment becomes attached to it. Abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield will trigger based on its natural characteristics, not the characteristics it has immediately after becoming equipped.