Phantasmal Extraction MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2023-12-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Ixalan |
| Set code | YLCI |
| Number | 13 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Szabo |
Text of card
If you weren't the starting player, this spell costs less to cast. Target opponent reveals each nonland card in their hand with mana value 4 or less. Choose a card revealed this way or a card in their graveyard. Exile that card.
Cards like Phantasmal Extraction
Phantasmal Extraction carves out its own niche among Magic the Gathering’s suite of hand disruption spells. It shares a lineage with Distress, allowing players to examine an opponent’s hand and select a nonland card to discard. Yet, Phantasmal Extraction adds a distinctive twist by potentially putting into play a Shade creature token with power and toughness equal to the discarded card’s mana value if it’s a creature card.
When looking at Thoughtseize, a standout in the hand disruption category, the key difference is its lower mana cost and universal applicability, as it doesn’t limit the discard to nonland cards. However, Phantasmal Extraction offers a creature as a compensation for its higher mana cost, which Thoughtseize does not.
Similarly, Inquisition of Kozilek offers a cost-effective disruption tool, restricted to cards with a mana value of 3 or less. Phantasmal Extraction doesn’t share this limitation, allowing for a broader range of targets. Nevertheless, the strategic deployment of these spells can be a determining factor in the early game. It’s the potential for creature token generation that sets Phantasmal Extraction apart within the MTG universe, offering both information and board presence.
Cards similar to Phantasmal Extraction by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Phantasmal Extraction. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phantasmal Extraction shines when it comes to setting you ahead in card resources. The ability to peek into an opponent’s hand and then choose a nonland card offers strategic insight. You’ll not only remove a threat but potentially plan your next moves with more information about their capabilities.
Resource Acceleration: While not direct, Phantasmal Extraction can indirectly accelerate your resources. By extracting key cards from an opponent’s hand, you slow down their game plan, often giving you extra turns to develop your board and reach critical mana thresholds ahead of time.
Instant Speed: The versatility offered by instant speed cannot be overstated. Phantasmal Extraction can be cast in the midst of an opponent’s turn, allowing for surprise disruption of their strategy. This reactive capability preserves your mana for other instant-speed interactions until the most opportune moment arises to disrupt your opponent’s sequence.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Phantasmal Extraction necessitates the discarding of a card upon usage. This can be quite the setback when your hand is already depleted, as it forces you to trade away potential late-game answers or synergistic pieces you may need for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a strict commitment to both black and blue mana. Such a requirement can pigeonhole your deck, making it less adaptable to different mana bases and potentially hindering your deck’s versatility in multicolor formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its powerful effect, Phantasmal Extraction comes with a mana value that might be considered steep. When you compare it to other options available in the card pool, you may find more cost-effective ways to disturb your opponent’s game plan without setting your own back as much.
Reasons to Include Phantasmal Extraction in Your Collection
Versatility: Phantasmal Extraction is not confined to a single archetype, making it a flexible addition to any collection. Its capability to disrupt your opponent’s plans is valuable in a variety of decks, particularly those needing control over the game’s tempo.
Combo Potential: This card excellently sets the stage for powerful combos. By selectively removing key pieces from your opponent’s resources, it can pave the way for your own strategy to unfold without interference, working in tandem with cards that capitalize on your opponent’s reduced options.
Meta-Relevance: Given the current landscape of the game, where adaptability can make or break a deck, Phantasmal Extraction’s ability to selectively target and exile can be exceptionally potent. It’s a card that can tilt matches in your favor, especially in a meta that’s dense with graveyard-reliant strategies or specific threats you need to neutralize. Its impact on game dynamics ensures it remains a relevant choice for players looking to stay one step ahead.
How to beat
Phantasmal Extraction presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its capacity to delve into the opponent’s graveyard and remove key cards that could potentially turn the tide of the match. Facing this card requires strategic planning and quick thinking. Ensuring that your graveyard does not become a resource pool for your adversary is paramount. This can be managed by minimizing the number of high-value target cards in your graveyard or by using cards that allow you to shuffle your graveyard back into your library.
Cards such as Tormod’s Crypt can effectively nullify the power of Phantasmal Extraction by exiling your graveyard in response, leaving nothing for the spell to target. Proactive measures like employing cards that offer graveyard protection or recur your own cards quickly can hamper your opponent’s ability to leverage Phantasmal Extraction to their advantage.
Additionally, including counterspells in your deck ensures that you have the ability to stop Phantasmal Extraction before it can impact the board state. By anticipating and preparing for the potential threats that cards like Phantasmal Extraction pose, players can navigate their way to victory even when faced with powerful graveyard manipulation tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phantasmal Extraction MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Ixalan, 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 Extraction 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phantasmal Extraction has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |