Phyrexian Devourer MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 125
2008-09-22 - Number 216
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Construct |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
If Phyrexian Devourer's power is 7 or greater, bury it. : Remove the top card of your library from the game to put a +X/+X counter on Phyrexian Devourer, where X is equal to that card's casting cost.
Cards like Phyrexian Devourer
The Phyrexian Devourer stands as a unique artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, drawing comparisons to cards that similarly manipulate counters for powerful effects. Triskelion, for instance, also uses counters, allowing you to remove them to deal damage to any target. While Triskelion offers direct damage options, the Phyrexian Devourer’s ability scales with the revealed card’s mana value, potentially unleashing a lethal amount of damage without targeting restrictions.
Other cards such as Walking Ballista share a resemblance in counter manipulation and versatility. Walking Ballista can be played early and scaled with additional mana, providing both board control and direct player damage capabilities. However, its strength is capped by the investment you’re able to make, as opposed to the Phyrexian Devourer, which can unpredictably spiral out of control with the right deck manipulation.
In evaluating these cards, the Phyrexian Devourer offers a potentially game-ending threat, especially when combined with effects that benefit from high power creatures or when the removal of counters has synergistic interactions. While similar options provide more consistent, controlled results, the unpredictable nature of the Phyrexian Devourer can make it a tantalizing choice for players seeking high-risk, high-reward strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Phyrexian Devourer by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Phyrexian Devourer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Scam | Legacy | Golgari Scam | Legacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05 |
| BR | Legacy | Legacy League 2024-04-14 | |
| Painter | Legacy | Painter | Legacy Preliminary 2024-04-12 |
 | Patchwork Stompy | Legacy | Patchwork Stompy | Legacy Challenge 64 2024-04-14 |
| WUBR | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-14 | |
| Mono-Red Midrange | Legacy | *HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:30 pm |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While not directly providing card draw, Phyrexian Devourer offers a unique kind of advantage by potentially growing into a massive threat. It translates the top card of your library into immediate power, which can pressure your opponent or even change the tide of the match.
Resource Acceleration: Phyrexian Devourer’s ability to exile the top card of your library to place that card’s converted mana cost in +1/+1 counters can lead to a rapid increase in power. This acts as a form of resource acceleration, translating resources from the deck into power on the battlefield without expending extra mana.
Instant Speed: The capability to use Phyrexian Devourer’s ability at instant speed is integral. This affords you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s actions, adapt to changing game states, and potentially make your Devourer grow unexpectedly large in the midst of combat or in response to an opponent’s spell targeting it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The card activation involves removing the top card of your library from the game, which may equate to losing potential resources or disrupting your draw strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Phyrexian Devourer requires a specific set of mana to cast, six mana total including two colorless, which may not align with the mana curve of all decks looking to maximize mana efficiency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Phyrexian Devourer can become quite powerful, it requires a comparatively high investment of six mana. This cost may hinder early game presence, as players might opt for lower-cost creatures to establish a board presence sooner.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian Devourer stands out due to its flexibility across a range of strategies. As a creature that allows you to remove cards from your library to grow its power, it can be a potent threat on its own or act as a key piece in various deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature is notorious for its ability to go infinite with the right supports, such as with “Necrotic Ooze” in play, enabling a swift victory conditional on player strategy and deck build, illustrating its significant combo potential.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where long games and intricate interactions are common, Phyrexian Devourer’s ability to become a massive creature or an instant win condition makes it a valuable asset that can adapt to complex and shifting environments.
How to beat
The Phyrexian Devourer stands as a challenge for many players in MTG due to its potential for explosive growth in power. This artifact creature can become a real threat on the battlefield when combined with the right setup, essentially acting as a ticking bomb ready to unleash considerable damage. To dismantle this threat, it is essential to look at it through a strategic lens, applying pinpoint tactics and responsive play.
Control elements are your best friend when confronting the Devourer. Counterspells remain a reliable method to prevent the Devourer from entering play in the first place. They nip the problem in the bud before it can spiral out of control. If already on the battlefield, direct removal spells are the next line of defense. Cards that can exile or force a sacrifice bypass the Devourer’s increasing power, making cards like Path to Exile or Tragic Slip excellent choices.
Moreover, since the Devourer grows through its ability to exile cards from the top of the library, effects that limit the number of cards a player can exile can also clamp down on its growth. It is also worth noting that disrupting combos frequently used with the Devourer, like those involving Alter of Dementia, can be equally effective. And always remember, timing is crucial; the ideal moment to disrupt Phyrexian Devourer is before its controller has the opportunity to utilize its power-boosting ability to its full potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Devourer MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters Edition II, 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 Phyrexian Devourer and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Phyrexian Devourer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 125 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 216 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Devourer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phyrexian Devourer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | Phyrexian Devourer’s first ability continually checks its power as a state trigger. Once it triggers, it won’t trigger again as long as the ability is on the stack. If the ability is countered and the trigger condition is still true, it will immediately trigger again. If the ability resolves, you’ll have to sacrifice Phyrexian Devourer even if its power has been reduced to 6 or less by then. |