Phobian Phantasm MTG Card

Grants card advantage and resource acceleration for strategic depth in gameplay. Demands precise mana and requires card discard, limiting its versatility. Its spectral abilities make it a worthy addition to spirit-themed decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Illusion
Abilities	Cumulative upkeep,Fear,Flying
Released	2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set name	Coldsnap
Set code	CSP
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	66
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steven Belledin

Text of card

Flying, fear Cumulative upkeep (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.)

Cards like Phobian Phantasm

The Phobian Phantasm enriches Magic: The Gathering’s suite of spirit creatures with its unique abilities. When it comes to the spirit archetype, it stands in the same realm as Spectral Sailor. While the latter provides instant card draw powers, the Phobian Phantasm differentiates itself by having a potentially game-altering evasion ability, allowing it to be unblockable under certain conditions.

Another comparable card is Drogskol Captain, reinforcing fellow spirits through its boosting aura and protective hexproof shield. While Drogskol Captain is support-oriented, Phobian Phantasm focuses on being a direct threat to the opponent. Also relevant in the comparison is Mausoleum Wanderer, a spirit with a built-in counter spell feature. Although the Wanderer is a strategic play in the early game, Phobian Phantasm shines in enabling consistent damage over time.

In essence, the Phobian Phantasm melds its eerie presence into the roster of spirits in Magic: The Gathering with a skill set that makes it a distinct, formidable opponent. Its evasive capabilities provide strategic depth, complementing and contrasting other members of its spectral family.

Cards similar to Phobian Phantasm by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phobian Phantasm offers a tactical edge by potentially enabling card advantage. When it enters the battlefield, if certain conditions are met, it can draw you additional cards, contributing to a solid lead against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This card brings with it the potential for resource acceleration. Through its synergies with graveyard mechanics, it can help you ramp up your available resources, allowing for a more aggressive approach to overwhelm your adversaries.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Phobian Phantasm is enhanced by its interactions at instant speed. This quality means you can deploy it at a moment’s notice, disrupting your opponent’s strategy during their turn and maintaining a dynamic pace of play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phobian Phantasm necessitates discarding a card upon activation, which can deplete your hand and hinder your strategic options, especially in a closely contested game where each card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types to cast. It requires both blue and black mana, potentially limiting its use to just Dimir or multicolored decks that can accommodate such costs without sacrificing mana fluidity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential to impact the battlefield, Phobian Phantasm’s mana cost is on the higher side when compared to other creatures of similar abilities. This might make it a less appealing option when deck building, given there might be alternative creatures or spells that provide similar or greater value for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Phobian Phantasm in Your Collection

Versatility: Phobian Phantasm is a card that offers remarkable adaptability. With its elusive nature, it seamlessly integrates into decks that emphasize evasion or require defenders with flying.

Combo Potential: This card’s spectral form means it can combine with other cards that reward you for having creatures with flying, or that gain benefits from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat is primarily fought in the skies or where control decks need reliable blockers, Phobian Phantasm proves itself to be a substantial asset.

How to Beat Phobian Phantasm

Phobian Phantasm is a creature card that often flies under the radar in games of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to evade blockers with flying poses a challenge to grounded creatures. To effectively counter this, players should incorporate cards that can neutralize flying abilities or that offer reach. Another strategy is to use spells that force the opponent to sacrifice a flying creature, thereby neatly sidestepping the Phantasm’s evasion techniques.

Spot removal spells are also highly effective against Phobian Phantasm. Instant-speed removals such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispense of the Phantasm without giving your opponent the chance to make use of its abilities. Board wipes are another great equalizer, completely resetting the playing field and leaving Phobian Phantasm vulnerable. Finally, don’t overlook the power of card advantage. Drawing into your answers faster than your opponent can protect their threats is a reliable pathway to victory.

Mastering the delicate balancing act of removal, evasion, and card draw will keep Phobian Phantasm and other similar threats in check, ensuring they don’t disrupt your path to winning the match.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phobian Phantasm MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Phobian Phantasm and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phobian Phantasm has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-10-01	Paying cumulative upkeep is always optional. If it’s not paid, the permanent with cumulative upkeep is sacrificed. Partial payments of the total cumulative upkeep cost can’t be made. For example, if a permanent with “cumulative upkeep ” has three age counters on it when its cumulative upkeep ability triggers, it gets another age counter and then its controller chooses to either pay or sacrifice the permanent.