Phantasmal Dreadmaw MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 55
2021-06-18 - Number 339
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur Illusion |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Trample When Phantasmal Dreadmaw becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.
"That was perhaps the most terrifying thing I thought I almost saw." —Captain Lannery Storm
Cards like Phantasmal Dreadmaw
Phantasmal Dreadmaw is a thrilling creature card in the MTG realm, bringing its own sense of uniqueness to the battlefield. It bears resemblance to the Colossal Dreadmaw, a card known for its trampling capability, allowing players to deal excess damage through blocking creatures. While both cards pave the way for potential game-changing plays, Phantasmal Dreadmaw introduces an additional layer with its illusionary nature.
While sharing the trample trait, Phantasmal Dreadmaw requires caution, as its illusion aspect means it must be sacrificed upon becoming the target of a spell or ability. This makes it a more fragile choice compared to its colossal counterpart. Another creature with similar characteristics is the Phantom Beast, which also has the illusion drawback, yet lacks the trample, altering its strategic utility in the game.
Exploring these dynamics, Phantasmal Dreadmaw is a card that offers a blend of power and vulnerability. It encourages strategic depth and timing to exploit its strength while navigating its inherent risks. As players consider their creature options, the Dreadmaw often finds its niche among those looking to balance raw power with the careful play it demands.
Cards similar to Phantasmal Dreadmaw by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phantasmal Dreadmaw grants a unique form of card advantage by representing a sizable creature on the board. When you play the card, you’re immediately adding a strong presence that your opponent must answer.
Resource Acceleration: Although Phantasmal Dreadmaw itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its cost-effective stats make it a prime candidate for strategies that capitalize on quickly summoning large creatures to overwhelm the opponent.
Instant Speed: While Phantasmal Dreadmaw isn’t cast at instant speed, its impact on the game can be immediate similar to instant-speed interactions. This creature can deter opponents from attacking or forcing them to leave mana untapped, indirectly influencing the pace of the game like a threat of an instant-speed play would.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A deck with Phantasmal Dreadmaw requires strategizing around its hunger for resources. Players must be comfortable with discarding another card to harness its power, which might not be ideal when the hand size is waning.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature spells out a precise mana need with its color alignment. The blend craves both generic and blue mana, necessitating a deck catered to its aquatic nature.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in on the mana scale, Phantasmal Dreadmaw can feel hefty. There are often other creatures or spells that might fulfill a similar role without demanding as much from your mana pool, potentially offering a quicker or more flexible response during gameplay.
Reasons to Include Phantasmal Dreadmaw in Your Collection
Versatility: Phantasmal Dreadmaw offers a sizable body that adapts smoothly into various deck archetypes. As a creature with a substantial presence on the battlefield, it can enhance both offensive and defensive lines within your game plan.
Combo Potential: This card’s illusion trait adds depth to any synergy that capitalizes on creature types or evasion abilities. Its potential to be sac-outlet fodder or an unexpected blocker before vanishing to its own ability can be strategically used in numerous game situations.
Meta-Relevance: With the constant shift in the competitive scene, keeping up with versatile and cost-effective creatures can greatly fortify a deck. Phantasmal Dreadmaw, while not the centerpiece, might serve as a worthwhile complement in a meta filled with complex threat assessments.
How to beat
Phantasmal Dreadmaw stakes its claim among the high-powered creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It distinguishes itself with an incredible power/toughness ratio and the deceptive “phantasmal” ability that causes it to be sacrificed when targeted by spells or abilities. This creature enriches the board presence for players seeking formidable creatures at a cost-effective rate. Yet, despite its might, it harbors a crucial vulnerability.
To navigate this behemoth’s challenge, one simple strategy prevails: target it. With a mere flick of a spell or the trigger of an ability targeting the Dreadmaw, this deadly force vanishes from the battlefield. Utilizing low-cost spells or abilities that target – even those without direct damage – can be the undoing of this imposing threat. This turns otherwise modest spells into powerful tools for dealing with the Dreadmaw.
Analyzing the myriad of creatures available, the Phantasmal Dreadmaw’s Achilles’ heel is clear. While it may bolster your offensive line with its formidable stats, the key to disarming it lies in strategic targeting, transforming its phantasmal nature from an asset to a liability in the intricate dance of Magic: The Gathering gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phantasmal Dreadmaw MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Phantasmal Dreadmaw 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
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Printings
The Phantasmal Dreadmaw Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 339 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phantasmal Dreadmaw has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phantasmal Dreadmaw card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-06-18 | Countering the spell or ability will not save Phantasmal Dreadmaw from being sacrificed. |
| 2021-06-18 | If Phantasmal Dreadmaw becomes the target of a spell or ability, its ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of that spell or ability. Phantasmal Dreadmaw will be sacrificed before that spell or ability tries to resolve. Unless the spell or ability has another target, it will then be removed from the stack as it tries to resolve for having no legal targets. |