Phantom Nantuko MTG Card
2002-05-27 - Number 128
2013-11-01 - Number 160
2017-06-09 - Number 133
2022-12-02 - Number 706
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Insect Spirit |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Trample Phantom Nantuko comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it. If damage would be dealt to Phantom Nantuko, prevent that damage. Remove a +1/+1 counter from Phantom Nantuko. oc T: Put a +1/+1 counter on Phantom Nantuko.
Cards like Phantom Nantuko
Phantom Nantuko is an intriguing creature card within the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to accrue +1/+1 counters whenever damage is dealt to it, likening it to cards such as Unbreakable Formation. While Unbreakable Formation is known for bolstering creatures with durability, Phantom Nantuko naturally gains this resilience by growing stronger with counters over time.
Another comparable card is Bioshift, which allows the transfer of +1/+1 counters from one creature to another. While Bioshift offers flexibility in managing counters, Phantom Nantuko provides steady growth and requires no additional card to manipulate its power. There’s also Simic Manipulator, an evolver that also thrives on +1/+1 counters. However, in contrast, Simic Manipulator uses these counters as a means to gain control of opposing creatures, showcasing a more tactical approach than the brute strength imparted by Phantom Nantuko.
In evaluating creature dynamics and their value on board, Phantom Nantuko stands out for its self-reliant strengthening mechanism and potential for becoming a formidable threat in combat over the course of a game.
Cards similar to Phantom Nantuko by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phantom Nantuko is a versatile creature card that enables savvy players to steadily bolster their board presence. Each time it takes damage, it gains a +1/+1 counter, essentially providing ongoing creature strength enhancement without the need to invest in additional spells or resources. Over time, this can translate into significant card advantage as your creature becomes a formidable threat that opponents must address.
Resource Acceleration: With Phantom Nantuko in play, resource acceleration is manifested not through the direct addition of mana but via its morph ability which allows flexibility in gameplay. Investing mana early to play Phantom Nantuko face down keeps opponents guessing and when the moment is right, flipping it for its morph cost can surprise opponents, essentially enabling a shift in board dynamics without consuming additional turns or cards.
Instant Speed: While Phantom Nantuko itself isn’t an instant, it has an activated ability that can be used at instant speed. This allows you to pump it outside of your own turn, which can be a tactical advantage both defensively and offensively. Imaginatively applied during combat, this can lead to beneficial trades or even game-winning plays, making it a powerful tool in any MTG player’s arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Phantom Nantuko provides a steady accrual of +1/+1 counters, it requires you to discard a card to do so. This cost is steep, especially in tight situations where each card in hand is vital for maintaining board presence and momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: Phantom Nantuko’s casting cost requires green mana, which can somewhat limit its inclusion to decks that can generate or fix green mana reliably. For players not running a mono-green or green-inclusive deck, this card can pose a challenge when optimizing mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that demands three, including two greens, the initial investment for Phantom Nantuko might deter players, considering other creatures or spells could be cast at a more competitive rate. The commitment to green mana could also eclipse the option of casting more flexible or impactful cards within the same turn.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phantom Nantuko is a solid green creature that can adapt to various deck strategies. With its ability to grow through counters and provide creature blocking tactics, it’s a card that can find its place both in aggressive green builds and in decks that focus on counter manipulation.
Combo Potential: This insect spirit has natural synergy with decks that revolve around +1/+1 counters. It can work well with proliferate mechanics or with cards like Hardened Scales, to become a formidable threat that continues to evolve with each turn.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment that values long-term board presence and incremental advantages, Phantom Nantuko excels. Its resilience against removal due to its phantom ability to prevent damage using +1/+1 counters keeps it relevant, especially in metas where combat is a key component of gameplay.
How to beat
Phantom Nantuko is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering, noted for its ability to grow stronger through +1/+1 counters and offering a defensive edge with its damage prevention aspect. Key strategies to overcoming this card involve direct removal or negation effects. Cards that can unconditionally remove creatures, like “Path to Exile” or “Murder,” sidestep the counter-accumulating mechanic of Phantom Nantuko altogether, rendering its defensive capabilities moot.
Another angle of approach is to bypass its ability to prevent damage with spells that reduce toughness or apply -1/-1 counters, such as “Dismember” or “Black Sun’s Zenith,” which unlike damage, are not prevented by Phantom Nantuko’s second ability. Moreover, countering this creature on the stack with “Counterspell” or “Essence Scatter” ensures that the Nantuko’s abilities never become an issue on the battlefield. Lastly, edict effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature, like “Diabolic Edict,” can also be effective, especially if Phantom Nantuko is the only creature on their side.
In sum, although Phantom Nantuko can be a formidable foe, strategic spell selection targeting its weaknesses can keep this creature in check. Players who prepare their decks with these answers will find themselves well-equipped to handle this tenacious insect.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phantom Nantuko MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Commander 2013, 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 Nantuko 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 Phantom Nantuko Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Wayne England.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-05-27 | Judgment | JUD | 128 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 160 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 3 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 706 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phantom Nantuko has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phantom Nantuko card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If this card takes damage from multiple sources at once (for example if it is blocked by multiple creatures in combat), it only loses one counter. |
| 2004-10-04 | If unpreventable damage is applied to this card, you still remove a counter even though the prevention fails. |
| 2004-10-04 | Remove one counter each time it would be damaged. If it was going to take more than one point of damage, you prevent all the damage and still only remove one counter. |
| 2004-10-04 | The damage prevention ability works even if it has no counters, as long as some effect keeps its toughness above zero. |