Phantatog MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Atog |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 291 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Glen Angus |
Text of card
Sacrifice an enchantment: Phantatog gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Discard a card from your hand: Phantatog gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Cards like Phantatog
Phantatog stands out in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. This imaginative card does more than offer simple creature benefits – it presents a unique discard and sacrifice ability that can startle an unprepared opponent. It can often be compared to Atog, the iconic creature that started the trend of abilities fueled by sacrificing permanents. Phantatog allows players to discard a card to pump itself, similar to Atog’s ability to sacrifice an artifact to do the same.
In examining other cards with comparable capabilities, we notice Psychatog, which blends the discard ability to grow in power with a self-mill strategy, accentuating different gameplay aspects. However, unlike Phantatog, it doesn’t require an extensive board presence to exploit its full potential. Additionally, Auratog shares the sacrifice theme, specifically focusing on enchantments, which sets a different stage for deck building around synergies with auras.
Overall, while each of these creatures provides a unique twist on player interaction with their own decks, Phantatog offers a diverse toolkit. Its presence can shift the battlefield dynamics, making it a versatile and intriguing option for players looking to leverage their graveyard and board state in MTG.
Cards similar to Phantatog by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phantatog can provide a unique form of card advantage by leveraging the cards in your hand and lands you control. By discarding a card or sacrificing a land, you can boost Phantatog’s power, potentially turning an unfavorable situation to your advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Phantatog itself may not directly accelerate your resources, it can synergize with effects that benefit from discarding cards or sacrificing lands. This can lead to substantial indirect resource acceleration within the right deck framework.
Instant Speed: Phantatog’s capabilities can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility in response to an opponent’s actions. This allows savvy players to make optimal decisions based on the evolving state of the game without committing to a course of action prematurely.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Phantatog demands that you discard a card to activate its abilities. This could leave you at a disadvantage, especially during the late game when each card in hand is critical for executing your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirements for Phantatog include both white and blue mana. This dual mana dependency restricts the card’s inclusion to decks that can consistently produce or fetch these colors, potentially limiting its versatility in a broader metagame.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, players might find Phantatog a bit steep for its power and toughness. When strategizing for optimal mana curve and board presence, some may prefer creatures or spells that provide more immediate or impactful advantages for a similar or lower investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phantatog, with its ability to benefit from both discarding and sacrificing, can seamlessly adapt to various deck themes. Whether fueling graveyard strategies or enabling enchantment-based plays, this card offers broad utility for diverse MTG tactics.
Combo Potential: As a combo enabler, Phantatog shines when paired with cards that thrive on graveyard synergy or those that reward you for sacrificing permanents. Its inherent ability can set off a chain of synergistic events, making it a potent piece in carefully crafted combos.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where control decks or attrition strategies reign supreme, Phantatog’s capacity for immediate board impact and its resistance against discard effects give it a relevant place. Its dual sacrifice and discard features mean it can navigate around common meta threats while securing your game plan.
How to beat
Phantatog is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering with the potential to confuse opponents and turn the tide in a strategic manner. It stands out with its ability to both discard a card to pump its toughness and sacrifice a land to amplify its power. This duality can be surprising, especially when used for both offense and defense capabilities.
To tackle Phantatog effectively, its advantages need to be mitigated. Since it relies on a player’s hand and land presence to maximize its potential, emptying a player’s hand through discard effects can severely weaken Phantatog’s power plays. Similarly, land destruction or land bounce can limit its ability to buff its toughness, making it more vulnerable in combat. Cards that prevent abilities from being activated, such as Pithing Needle or Sorcerous Spyglass, can also render Phantatog’s abilities obsolete, reducing it to a mere blocker without its usual impact.
In essence, overcoming Phantatog in Magic: The Gathering requires a strategy that diminishes its ability to manipulate lands and cards in hand. By focusing on this tactic, one can effectively neutralize Phantatog and gain the upper hand in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phantatog MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Phantatog 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phantatog has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |