Phantasmal Image MTG Card
2011-07-15 - Number 72
2017-03-17 - Number 46
2021-07-23 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Illusion |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
You may have Phantasmal Image enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it's an Illusion in addition to its other types and it gains "When this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it."
Cards like Phantasmal Image
Phantasmal Image has etched its name as a staple in the realm of clone effects within Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison is with Clone, a card that also enables you to copy any creature on the battlefield. The distinct advantage of Phantasmal Image lies in its lower mana cost, allowing for faster gameplay and strategic plays in the early game. Unlike Phantasmal Image, Clone doesn’t carry the downside of being sacrificed when targeted by a spell or ability, which grants it more resilience on the board.
Another card in this category is the cleverly designed Stunt Double. Functioning similarly to Clone, Stunt Double has the added benefit of flash, enabling mid-combat tricks and surprises. This makes it a more versatile option in certain deck builds, though it comes at a higher mana cost. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Clever Impersonator, which extends the copying ability to any nonland permanent, not just creatures, increasing its utility and adaptability in various situations but again at a higher mana investment.
Assessing the landscape, Phantasmal Image offers a unique blend of low-cost efficiency and flexibility, securing its position as a competitive option in decks that value early board presence and cost-effective cloning capabilities in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Phantasmal Image by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Phantasmal Image. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lurrus Saga | Vintage | Lurrus Saga | Vintage League 2024-04-28 |
| Esper Tempo | Vintage | Blue Tempo | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-21 |
| WUB | Vintage | Vintage League 2024-04-18 | |
 | Domain Zoo | Modern | Domain Zoo | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-08 |
 | Mono-Blue Merfolk | Legacy | Merfolk | Bazaar of Boxes Series 10 |
 | Five-Color Humans | Free form | d00mwake's Pure Modern 5 | |
| Azorius Spirits | Modern | Spirits | Modern Challenge 64 2024-02-05 |
 | Geological Appraiser Combo | Free form | d00mwake's Pure Modern 5 | |
| Slivers | Legacy | Legacy Mensal Taverna Nerd 23/04 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Phantasmal Image enters the battlefield, it has the potential to become a copy of any creature on the field, including those with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or card draw abilities. This can immediately double the value you get from prime creatures and tip the balance of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Phantasmal Image can adopt the traits of creatures that tap for mana or reduce casting costs, serving as a form of resource acceleration. This versatile clone can be an unexpected solution to mana shortages and can help you deploy your threats or answers more swiftly.
Instant Speed: Although Phantasmal Image itself is not an instant, its ability to copy flash creatures allows for instant-speed interaction. By copying any creature that has flash, Phantasmal Image can be a surprise block or offer utility at the end of your opponent’s turn, simulating the benefits you would get from an instant spell.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Phantasmal Image card does not have a discard requirement itself, it’s important to note that if it copies a creature with an ‘enters the battlefield’ triggered ability that requires a discard, you must comply with that requisite, potentially depleting valuable hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The Phantasmal Image has a strictly blue mana cost, which might not be effortlessly integrated into multicolored decks that don’t heavily feature blue, thereby restricting its playability across diverse deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a two mana cost might seem low, in decks aiming for ultra-efficient plays, there are scenarios where even this cost is considered high. This is especially true if the board state does not have a valuable creature to copy, potentially making the Phantasmal Image less effective for its cost.
Reasons to Include Phantasmal Image in Your Collection
Versatility: Phantasmal Image offers unprecedented flexibility on the battlefield, capable of becoming a copy of any creature, be it your own powerful monster or an opponent’s formidable threat. This enables it to effortlessly adapt to a wide array of game states and strategies.
Combo Potential: With its ability to replicate key creatures, this card can instantly amplify combo strategies. It’s a linchpin for creating duplicates of creatures with potent enter-the-battlefield effects or those with game-ending combo capabilities.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to copy the most influential creatures in any given meta, Phantasmal Image remains a relevant addition to various deck builds. Its presence ensures that your collection stays competitive in a constantly evolving gameplay environment.
How to beat
Phantasmal Image is a versatile clone card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to copy any creature on the battlefield at a low cost. Overcoming this card can be tricky due to its potential to replicate the strongest creatures present in a game. However, the card’s Achilles’ heel lies in its fragility – any targeted ability or spell aimed at the Phantasmal Image will cause it to be sacrificed. This is a key vulnerability.
Direct removal spells are generally ineffective cost-wise against Phantasmal Image as they are better saved for more critical threats. Instead, smart players utilize cheap targeted spells or abilities that can trip up the Image without investing significant resources. Even something as simple as a targeted tap or untap effect will leverage its drawback, making Phantasmal Image’s strength its own greatest weakness.
To efficiently handle Phantasmal Image, consider keeping light, cheap, targeted spells in your arsenal. This way, you can swiftly neutralize the Image when it clones a high-value creature, effectively managing threats and maintaining board control without expending key removal spells.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phantasmal Image MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Image and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Phantasmal Image Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 72 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 46 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phantasmal Image has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phantasmal Image card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-03-14 | Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Phantasmal Image enters the battlefield. Any “as -his creature] enters the battlefield” or “ -his creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work. |
| 2017-03-14 | If Phantasmal Image somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Phantasmal Image can't become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that's already on the battlefield. |
| 2017-03-14 | If the chosen creature has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0. |
| 2017-03-14 | If the chosen creature is a token, Phantasmal Image copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created the token. Phantasmal Image is not a token in this case. |
| 2017-03-14 | If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is another Phantasmal Image), then Phantasmal Image enters the battlefield as whatever the chosen creature copied. |
| 2017-03-14 | Phantasmal Image copies exactly what was printed on the original creature (unless that creature is copying something else or is a token; see below) and it gains the Illusion creature type and the triggered ability. It doesn't copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on. |
| 2017-03-14 | The Illusion creature type and the triggered ability that Phantasmal Image gains as part of its copy effect are both copiable values that other effects may copy. |