Phyrexian Hulk MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Phyrexian Golem
Power 5
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Though not directly card advantageous, Hulk can create positive trades on the battlefield.
  2. Hulk’s six mana cost may clash with fast-paced strategies seeking quicker plays.
  3. As an artifact creature, it’s versatile and can bolster numerous deck types effectively.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Phyrexian Hulk doesn’t directly influence the number of cards you possess, it stands as a substantial creature on the battlefield. Its presence can force opponents to deal with it, often at the expense of using more than one resource. This indirect pressure may lead to a form of card advantage, as your opponent is potentially expending multiple cards to address a single threat.

Resource Acceleration: Phyrexian Hulk doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense. However, its relatively low mana cost for its stats can represent an acceleration in board presence, requiring less investment for a robust creature, and potentially freeing up your mana to utilize other cards sooner.

Instant Speed: While Phyrexian Hulk enters the battlefield at sorcery speed, its innate synergy with decks that operate at instant speed is noteworthy. Hulk aligns well with strategies that have effects to cheat creatures onto the battlefield during an opponent’s turn or after their actions have been committed, thus keeping the pace and pressure in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Phyrexian Hulk doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded, its lack of an additional ability misses an opportunity to leverage your hand for potential strategic advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The Phyrexian Hulk requires three generic mana, which is straightforward to produce, but its total cost of six mana might be restrictive in faster, more aggressive game plans.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at six mana for a 5/4 artifact creature, Phyrexian Hulk can be considered inefficient compared to other creatures in MTG that might present more value or utility for the same or lesser investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Hulk’s straightforward mana cost and lack of color restrictions make it a plug-and-play option for a wide array of decks seeking a hardy creature. Its substantial power and toughness can enhance the board presence in various strategies.

Combo Potential: Being an artifact creature, it can synergize with a multitude of set ups that capitalize on artifacts, from enabling improvised mechanics to pumping up the strength of cards that scale with the number of artifacts you control.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where artifacts are consistently utilized, Phyrexian Hulk has the potential to be a resilient threat that demands answers. Its six-toughness makes it resistant to common damage-based removal, which can be a significant advantage.


How to beat

The Phyrexian Hulk is a formidable artifact creature known for its simplicity and resilience on the battlefield. To overcome this mechanical giant, it’s crucial to disable its strength as a formidable blocker or attacker. Artifact removal spells are a player’s best friend against the Hulk. Cards like Naturalize provide a cost-effective way to remove it from the field. If artifacts are a common theme in your opponent’s deck, consider incorporating consistent removal options like Shatter or Disenchant into your strategy. For a more flexible approach, universal removal spells such as Murder or Path to Exile can banish the Hulk regardless of its type.

Additionally, combat tricks can turn the tables during combat. Use spells that grant your creatures deathtouch, which ensures that even the mightiest creatures will fall to the slightest touch. Engaging the Hulk in combat with a deathtouch creature is an effective way to clear the path. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of counter magic. A well-timed Counterspell can prevent the Phyrexian Hulk from ever hitting the field, allowing you to maintain control of the game’s pace and keep your opponent’s threats at bay.


Cards like Phyrexian Hulk

The Phyrexian Hulk finds its unique place in Magic: The Gathering as a sizeable artifact creature. Resembling other artifact creatures in cost and power, it’s akin to cards like Iron Golem and Razor Golem. However, whereas Iron Golem requires tapping unless you have cast a creature spell, the Phyrexian Hulk offers a steadfast 5/4 for six mana with no strings attached.

Another card for comparison is the Spined Thopter. While this flying creature is less hefty, boasting a 2/1 frame, it compensates with its cheaper cost and Phyrexian mana option, which allows for a flexible life-for-mana payment. This adaptability can be crucial in fast-paced games. On the flip side, the likes of Bronze Sable and Darksteel Myr offer indestructibility or lower mana costs, but neither can match the sheer size of the Hulk’s presence on the battlefield.

Therefore, if you’re building a deck that calls for a straightforward, robust artifact creature that doesn’t muddle your game plan with additional requirements, the Phyrexian Hulk might just be the powerhouse you need, carving a niche for itself among artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Iron Golem - MTG Card versions
Razor Golem - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Bronze Sable - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Myr - MTG Card versions
Iron Golem - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Razor Golem - Darksteel (DST)
Spined Thopter - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Bronze Sable - Theros (THS)
Darksteel Myr - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Phyrexian Hulk by color, type and mana cost

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Mirror Golem - MTG Card versions
Razor Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions
Leashling - MTG Card versions
Rattleblaze Scarecrow - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Triskelion - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Armageddon Clock - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Mirror Universe - Legends (LEG)
Sword of the Ages - Legends (LEG)
Planar Gate - Legends (LEG)
Urza's Avenger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Bronze Tablet - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Joven's Tools - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Serpent Generator - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Flowstone Sculpture - Tempest (TMP)
Workhorse - The List (PLST)
Well of Discovery - Prophecy (PCY)
Wurmcoil Engine - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Brass Herald - Commander Legends (CMR)
Mirror Golem - Mirrodin (MRD)
Razor Golem - Darksteel (DST)
Mycosynth Lattice - Battlebond (BBD)
Leashling - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Rattleblaze Scarecrow - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Hulk MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Seventh Edition, 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 Phyrexian Hulk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phyrexian Hulk Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 3021997normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
22001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 312★1997normalblackBrian Snõddy
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 3121997normalwhiteBrian Snõddy
42003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 310★2003normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 3102003normalwhiteMatthew D. Wilson
62005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 3062003normalwhiteMatthew D. Wilson
72005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 306★2003normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
82010-03-19Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the CoalitionDDE 142003normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
92011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 1502003normalblackSteven Belledin
102012-07-13Magic 2013M13 2092003normalblackSteven Belledin
112015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 2302015normalblackMatthew D. Wilson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Hulk has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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