Phyresis Outbreak MTG Card


Phyresis Outbreak can draw numerous cards and exponentially increase counter numbers, enabling significant card advantages. Its instant speed lets players amplify threats or counteract during unexpected moments, offering tactical supremacy. While powerful, the card’s specific mana needs and discard requirement might impede some deck strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Each opponent gets a poison counter. Then each creature your opponents control gets -1/-1 until end of turn for each poison counter its controller has.


Cards like Phyresis Outbreak

Phyresis Outbreak is an intriguing new entry that shakes up the common paradigm of spreading -1/-1 counters in the vast repertoire of Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels with cards like Black Sun’s Zenith, which allows players to distribute -1/-1 counters across the board. While both cards are potent tools for weakening adversaries, Phyresis Outbreak distinguishes itself with its ability to put -1/-1 counters on each creature your opponents control with a single card, without the need for X cost scalability.

Contagion Engine is another analogous card that manipulates -1/-1 counters to control the state of the battlefield. However, its higher mana cost and artifact nature mean it sits in a different niche, emphasizing long-term board control with potential for repeated use, as opposed to the immediate impact of Phyresis Outbreak.

Ultimately, Phyresis Outbreak aligns well with the theme of counter manipulation and control in Magic: The Gathering. It offers a unique one-time mass counter distribution that can provide strategic advantages, particularly in situations where swiftness is key and resource allocation must be precise.

Black Sun's Zenith - MTG Card versions
Contagion Engine - MTG Card versions
Black Sun's Zenith - MTG Card versions
Contagion Engine - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phyresis Outbreak shines in its ability to potentially draw several cards in one turn. The proliferation mechanic allows you to add more counters of a kind already present on not just one, but any number of permanents. This means if you have a way to draw cards through counters, like with Sage of Fables on the field, you could gain massive card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This card excels in supercharging your strategy if it relies on +1/+1 or loyalty counters. This can rapidly accelerate your resources by unexpectedly growing your creatures or planeswalkers during an opponent’s turn and get them ready for your next assault, thus enhancing your board state and potential for winning.

Instant Speed: The real power of Phyresis Outbreak is its instant speed, permitting you to wait for the most opportune moment to unleash this multiplying force. Whether it’s adding to your infect counters right before a critical swing, magnifying the might of an unblocked creature, or unexpectedly turning the tides in a planeswalker duel, instant speed makes Phyresis Outbreak a versatile and threatening card against your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phyresis Outbreak compels players to discard a card, which can be detrimental, especially when you’re trying to maintain hand advantage or safeguard key pieces in your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana combination to cast, making it somewhat restrictive as it can only seamlessly fit into decks that can generate both types of mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher side, players might find themselves at a crossroads when deciding whether the impact of Phyresis Outbreak justifies its inclusion over lower-cost options that could be played sooner or offer more flexibility in gameplay.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyresis Outbreak brings unparalleled flexibility to decks focused on the proliferate mechanic or infect strategies, fitting seamlessly into builds that look to amass counters of any type.

Combo Potential: This card excels in its ability to synergize with numerous counter-based combos, amplifying their effects and turning even the most innocuous board state into a potential lethal threat.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to swing games by augmenting existing threats or turning late-game topdecks into sudden victories, Phyresis Outbreak can be a crucial addition in metas heavy with creature-based strategies where -1/-1 counters can devastate an opponent’s board presence.


How to Beat Phyresis Outbreak

Phyresis Outbreak is one of those cards in Magic: The Gathering that can change the dynamics of a game swiftly due to its ability to spread -1/-1 counters. Understanding its mechanism is key to countering it effectively. A pivotal strategy includes utilizing cards that can remove counters or negate the ability altogether. Consider incorporating spells that counteract abilities or that offer hexproof to your creatures.

Another effective method is to lean on creature abilities that are triggered upon being targeted, which can sometimes offer you beneficial outcomes and mitigate the impact of the spreading counters. Moreover, having a robust removal suite allows you to target and eliminate the threats before Phyresis Outbreak takes full effect.

Lastly, if Phyresis Outbreak is a recurring challenge in your play circle, including cards that can exile it from graveyards or that restrict players from casting certain spell types can prove invaluable. Always examine the broader meta and prepare sideboard options that can be tailored to address this potent card and similar threats in the MTG landscape.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Phyresis Outbreak is crucial for those looking to enhance their MTG play. With its ability to alter the battlefield at instant speed, this card is an excellent fit for decks built around counters strategies. Whether powering up your planeswalkers or amassing infect counters for a decisive strike, Phyresis Outbreak can be the key to victory. If you’re ready to boost your gameplay and explore this dynamic card’s potential, we’re here to guide you. Dive deep into the strategies that Phyresis Outbreak enables and fortify your deck with one of MTG’s intriguing spells. Learn more and unleash the power of counters to dominate your next match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyresis Outbreak MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander, 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 Phyresis Outbreak and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phyresis Outbreak Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Matthew G. Lewis.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 502015NormalBlackMatthew G. Lewis
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 122015NormalBlackMatthew G. Lewis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyresis Outbreak has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-02-04 The amount a creature's power and toughness are reduced is determined only once, at the time Phyresis Outbreak resolves. It won't change if that creature's controller later gets more poison counters or if another player takes control of it later in the same turn.