Phantom Warrior MTG Card

Phantom Warrior excels in delivering consistent, unblockable damage, posing a continual threat to opponents. Its synergy with combat damage-triggered abilities can subtly shift the resource balance in your favor. Despite its mana specificity, Phantom Warrior’s versatility makes it a compelling pick for evasion decks.
Card setsReleased in 16 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Illusion Warrior
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Phantom Warrior can't be intercepted.

The phantom warrior comes from nowhere and returns there just as quickly.

Cards like Phantom Warrior

Phantom Warrior has found its niche within the blue creature arsenal of Magic: The Gathering. Its unique unblockable trait allows it to slip past enemy defenses unfettered, similar to other evasive creatures such as Invisible Stalker. While Invisible Stalker carries hexproof, making it impervious to targeted spells or abilities, it lacks the consistent two damage output that Phantom Warrior offers.

Next in the lineup, we see Mist-Cloaked Herald tip the scales with a one mana value, marking it as a more cost-efficient play for early aggression. Although it forgoes the dual hit points, its affordability allows for a swifter playstyle. Comparatively, Aether Figment can become unblockable, if kicked, dovetailing with the theme of direct assault. However, the additional kick cost can be a tempo setback.

Optimizing deck strategy involves weighing these characters’ traits against their mana costs and the deck’s overall synergy. This reveals Phantom Warrior as a contender for those seeking reliable, unblockable damage output, making it a solid choice in creature selection for evasion-focused MTG decks.

Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Aether Figment - MTG Card versions
Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Mist-Cloaked Herald - MTG Card versions
Aether Figment - MTG Card versions

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

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Academy Researchers - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Academy Researchers - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phantom Warrior presents a consistent threat to your opponent, forcing them to allocate resources to block or remove it. Invariably, if they can’t deal with this elusive attacker, you effectively gain card advantage as your opponent’s cards may become less relevant against an unblockable creature.

Resource Acceleration: Although Phantom Warrior doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its ability to consistently hit the opponent can help activate certain cards or abilities that trigger upon dealing combat damage, potentially leading to resource acceleration in the broader game strategy.

Instant Speed: While Phantom Warrior itself is a creature card and not an instant, its unblockable nature means you can freely hold up mana for instant-speed interactions on your opponent’s turn without having to commit to attacks if your game plan requires instant-speed flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Phantom Warrior doesn’t directly demand a card be discarded to play it, the need to keep cards in hand to protect it or maintain board presence can indirectly influence hand resources, potentially leaving players with fewer options.

Specific Mana Cost: Phantom Warrior requires a committed investment of two blue mana, which may not always align with multicolored or flexible mana bases, particularly those that cater to aggressive strategies or mana ramping.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that solely provides unblockable damage, Phantom Warrior’s mana cost is a significant investment. Other creatures or spells at a lower cost could offer unblockable utility while also providing additional abilities or effects, offering potentially greater value and versatility in a game where mana efficiency is critical.

Reasons to Include Phantom Warrior in Your Collection

Versatility: Phantom Warrior is a blue creature card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes, particularly those emphasizing elusive attackers. Its unblockable ability makes it a reliable source of consistent damage to your opponents.

Combo Potential: Partnering this card with equipment or auras that boost its power can quickly turn it into a significant threat. Enhancing Phantom Warrior’s attack can result in a formidable and steadfast damage dealer throughout the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment dominated by creature-based strategies, Phantom Warrior’s evasion ability ensures it remains a relevant choice. It can bypass potential blockers, maintaining pressure on opponents and complementing control or tempo decks adeptly.

How to beat

Phantom Warrior is one of those elusive creatures in the realm of Magic the Gathering that can give players a hard time due to its unblockable nature. Facing this stealthy attacker often requires a strategic approach since it can slip past creatures undetected, chipping away at your life total without giving you a chance to block. However, dealing with Phantom Warrior isn’t insurmountable.

Removal spells are your best ally against this invisible threat. Since you can’t block it, you’ll want to utilize spells that can target and destroy or exile it directly. Cards like Doom Blade, Path to Exile, or Rapid Hybridization can cleanly remove Phantom Warrior from the battlefield. Additionally, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are also effective at clearing the board of these unblockable threats.

Another tactic is to limit the resources of the opponent who controls the Phantom Warrior. Hand disruption effects or spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can be just as effective. Take advantage through cards like Thoughtseize or Diabolic Edict to prevent the Phantom Warrior from ever making an impact. With a concise strategy, this specter’s reign on the battlefield can be curtailed.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phantom Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Weatherlight, 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 Warrior and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phantom Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-05-01PortalPOR 651997NormalBlackDan Frazier
21997-06-09WeatherlightWTH 481997NormalBlackJohn Matson
31999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 851997NormalWhiteJohn Matson
41999-07-01Starter 1999S99 441997NormalWhiteJohn Matson
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 931997NormalWhiteGreg Staples
62001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 93★1997NormalBlackGreg Staples
72003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 93★2003NormalBlackGreg Staples
82003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 932003NormalWhiteGreg Staples
92005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 882003NormalWhiteGreg Staples
102005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 88★2003NormalBlackGreg Staples
112007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 962003NormalBlackGreg Staples
122009-07-17Magic 2010M10 662003NormalBlackGreg Staples
132010-06-04Duels of the PlaneswalkersDPA 142003NormalBlackGreg Staples
142013-07-19Magic 2014M14 672003NormalBlackGreg Staples
152018-06-08BattlebondBBD 1292015NormalBlackGreg Staples
162019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 3162015NormalBlackAnna Podedworna

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phantom Warrior has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal