Pharagax Giant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Giant |
| Abilities | Tribute |
| Released | 2014-02-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Born of the Gods |
| Set code | BNG |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 104 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ryan Pancoast |
Text of card
Tribute 2 (As this creature enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may place two +1/+1 counters on it.) When Pharagax Giant enters the battlefield, if tribute wasn't paid, Pharagax Giant deals 5 damage to each opponent.
Cards like Pharagax Giant
Pharagax Giant stands tall among the pantheon of Red creatures with impactful “enters the battlefield effects in MTG. It evokes memories of creatures like Ember Swallower, also a formidable force that offers a monstrosity ability for additional strength. Where Pharagax Giant differs is in its Tribute mechanic, providing a choice for your opponent, either facing down a large creature or granting you a burst of damage to their life total.
Alongside Pharagax Giant, fans of formidable Red creatures may look towards Flameshot. While it doesn’t present a body on the battlefield, this spell allows the player to distribute damage akin to the Tribute-unpaid option of Pharagax Giant. It gives you direct control over the damage distribution. There’s also an array of punishing creatures such as Fanatic of Mogis, which delivers damage based on your devotion to Red upon entering the battlefield, though it’s predetermined rather than presenting a strategic choice to your opponent.
In assessing these various options, Pharagax Giant offers a unique twist in gameplay that could edge out some contenders. It combines immediate damage potential with the threat of a sizeable creature, a blend that can offer players a versatile advantage in the battle for board dominance.
Cards similar to Pharagax Giant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Pharagax Giant, players can potentially deal extra damage or tap it for more aggressive plays. It presents a choice that can lead to either immediate board impact or a potential surprise element, improving the overall card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The Tribute mechanic, unique to cards like Pharagax Giant, can inadvertently act as resource acceleration. Opponents often choose not to pay the tribute, which could give you a larger creature earlier in the game than normally possible, saving mana for other plays.
Instant Speed: While Pharagax Giant itself is not an instant-speed spell, it synergizes well with cards that are. The threat of it entering the battlefield may cause opponents to hesitate and consider their instant-speed answers, potentially disrupting their tempo and allowing you to gain the upper hand during crucial turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Pharagax Giant is the tribute mechanic it employs which, if declined by an opponent, can force the player to discard cards to leverage its ability. This can deplete a player’s hand and be a detriment in the long game.
Specific Mana Cost: Pharagax Giant carries a mana cost that’s specifically heavy on red. This requirement might complicate its inclusion in multicolored decks that may have a mana base less dedicated to red mana production. It’s a card that fits better in monored or heavy-red decks where reaching its casting cost is less of an issue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five mana total, including three red, Pharagax Giant is costly for what it brings to the battlefield. In many cases, MTG players can find creatures with equivalent or better stats and abilities for a lower or more efficient mana investment, making Pharagax Giant an often overlooked option in deck building.
Reasons to Include Pharagax Giant in Your Collection
Versatility: Pharagax Giant can serve as a formidable creature in decks that require solid top-end threats. Its potential for both significant damage and a notable presence on the battlefield makes it adaptable to various strategies.
Combo Potential: In combination with cards that allow you to cheat on mana costs or that amplify damage, this creature can become a key piece in turning the tide of a match to your favor rapidly.
Meta-Relevance: With the ability to influence the board upon entering, Pharagax Giant holds its ground in a meta filled with aggressive decks, acting as both a deterrent and a decisive force when played at the right moment.
How to beat
Engaging combat with Pharagax Giant in your MTG game requires a strategic approach due to its Tribute mechanic. When this creature enters the battlefield, opponents are faced with a choice that can affect the tide of the game. Should they accept the Tribute, the Giant remains a sizable 5 mana for a 5/5. Yet, if they opt not to pay the Tribute, it swiftly becomes a 5 mana for a 3/3 that inflicts 5 damage to them.
One reliable method to outmaneuver Pharagax Giant is by employing removal spells that can dispatch it regardless of its size, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile. Utilizing counterspells like Cancel can also hinder the Giant from even entering the battlefield. It’s also possible to diminish the Giant’s impact by playing creatures with higher toughness, enabling you to block effectively and potentially survive its attack if the Tribute isn’t paid and the direct damage isn’t lethal.
In essence, Pharagax Giant’s dual-threat nature can be mitigated through timely removal, denial of its entry, or sturdy defense. Such tactics can tip the scales in your favor, transforming a formidable foe into a manageable challenge within your MTG game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pharagax Giant MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Pharagax Giant 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pharagax Giant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pharagax Giant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-02-01 | If the opponent pays tribute, the creature will enter the battlefield with the specified number of +1/+1 counters on it. It won’t enter the battlefield and then have the +1/+1 counters placed on it. |
| 2014-02-01 | If the triggered ability has a target, that target will not be known while the creature spell with tribute is on the stack. |
| 2014-02-01 | Players can’t respond to the tribute decision before the creature enters the battlefield. That is, if the opponent doesn’t pay tribute, the triggered ability will trigger before any player has a chance to remove the creature. |
| 2014-02-01 | The choice of whether to pay tribute is made as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late to respond to the creature spell. For example, in a multiplayer game, opponents won’t know whether tribute will be paid or which opponent will be chosen to pay tribute or not when deciding whether to counter the creature spell. |
| 2014-02-01 | The triggered ability will resolve even if the creature with tribute isn’t on the battlefield at that time. |
| 2017-04-18 | For effects that check which player put counters on the entering creature, the player chosen to pay tribute puts those counters on it, not the creature’s controller. |