Phantom Beast MTG Card


Phantom Beast facilitates card advantage and can swiftly alter the game’s momentum in your favor. Instant speed summoning allows for flexible, reactive gameplay, enhancing your strategic options. While valuable, it requires careful consideration of its specific mana needs and discard costs.
Phantom Beast - Magic 2011
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Illusion Beast
Released2010-07-16
Set symbol
Set nameMagic 2011
Set codeM11
Power 4
Toughness 5
Number69
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRyan Yee

Text of card

When Phantom Beast becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.

As insubstantial as fear, and as dangerous.


Cards like Phantom Beast

The captivating world of MTG is rich with diverse creatures, and among them stands the Phantom Beast. This mysterious entity shares similarities with other creature cards such as Phantom Tiger, which also has a phantom mechanic, granting it a prevention shield of sorts with its +1/+1 counters. What makes the Phantom Beast a card to be reckoned with, though, is its unique blend of high power and the inability to be blocked as long as you control a Griffin creature.

Other creatures like Spirit of the Hearth offer a different taste of advantages, boasting not only a considerable presence on the battlefield but also providing protection for your hand by giving you hexproof. However, it lacks the Phantom Beast’s conditionally unblockable nature. Unquestionably, when one considers cards like Illusory Angel, which can be cast only if you’ve played another spell that turn, it underscores the straightforward yet impactful summoning conditions of the Phantom Beast.

Evaluating these cards side by side, the Phantom Beast’s place within the MTG ecosystem is solidified through its unique synergies with Griffin creatures and the tactical advantages it offers when positioned against cards with similar cost and size on the battlefield.

Phantom Tiger - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions
Illusory Angel - MTG Card versions
Phantom Tiger - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions
Illusory Angel - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Phantom Beast by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Extravagant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Undercover Operative - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Delving into the strength of Phantom Beast, this card has the capability to swing the momentum in your favor through an overwhelming presence on the board. Summoning this mythical creature often allows you to pressure your opponent and potentially access additional cards, putting you significantly ahead.

Resource Acceleration: Phantom Beast is a cornerstone for decks looking to ramp up their resources swiftly. Its ability to influence the battlefield can translate into accelerated mana availability, pushing you towards casting high-impact spells sooner than expected, thereby shaping the game’s pace.

Instant Speed: The agility of Phantom Beast comes from its potential to be deployed at instant speed. This unparalleled flexibility lets you adapt to the unfolding game, making precise moves to counter your opponent’s actions or to fortify your defenses at the optimal moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In order to leverage the abilities of Phantom Beast, players must fulfill a discard requirement. This can create a setback, particularly if you’re running short on hand options and need to maintain a strong card presence on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The Phantom Beast comes with a specific mana cost that can sometimes hinder its inclusion in a versatile deck. Being restricted to a particular mana type, this creature card may not seamlessly fit into multicolored or flexible mana base strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the efficiency of your deck, Phantom Beast’s mana cost can be on the higher side. This may affect your game tempo as there are other creature cards in MTG that might provide similar or better utility at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phantom Beast boasts an ability to merge seamlessly with a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on large, hard-hitting creatures to pressure opponents.

Combo Potential: As a creature that could potentially dodge removal, its presence on the battlefield can be leveraged in combos that revolve around creature-based strategies, enhancing synergies within beast-themed decks.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, Phantom Beast can serve as a substantial threat. Its size can help dominate the battlefield against decks that might not be prepared for large formidable creature plays.


How to beat

The Phantom Beast card presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its considerable strength and often formidable presence in the game. Engaging with this creature effectively requires precise strategy. To overcome it, prioritize control spells that can bypass its strength. Removal spells that offer unconditional elimination can neutralize it regardless of its power. Enchantment-based restrictions can also reduce its impact, preventing it from attacking or blocking. Moreover, cards that change creature types or strip away abilities can render the Phantom Beast far less threatening, undermining its inherent advantages. In essence, dealing with this creature is about minimizing its ability to exert control and leveraging your spells to directly or indirectly incapacitate it.

Counter spells play a major role as well. Deploying them at the right moment to prevent the beast from even entering play is crucial. Keeping mana available for such situations ensures you’re always prepared. In addition to direct counters, utilizing bounce spells that return the creature to its owner’s hand disrupts momentum and buys critical time. Lastly, take advantage of board wipe cards. These reset the playing field, and when the timing’s right, they can be the silver bullet to your foe’s Phantom Beast strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phantom Beast MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011, 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 Phantom Beast and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phantom Beast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phantom Beast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2010-08-15 If Phantom Beast becomes the target of a spell or ability, Phantom Beast’s ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of that spell or ability. Phantom Beast’s ability will resolve (causing it to be sacrificed) first. Unless the spell or ability has another target, it will then be countered when it tries to resolve for having no legal targets.