Phyrexian Gargantua MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 48
2005-07-29 - Number 153★
2005-07-29 - Number 153
2010-03-19 - Number 15
2013-11-01 - Number 87
2014-11-07 - Number 154
2016-06-10 - Number 101
2020-07-17 - Number 265
2023-04-21 - Number 121
2023-08-04 - Number 178
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Horror |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Phyrexian Gargantua comes into play, you draw two cards and you lose 2 life.
Other Phyrexians have nightmares about the gargantua.
Cards like Phyrexian Gargantua
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Phyrexian Gargantua stands out for its blend of card advantage and creature impact. This six-mana-cost creature parallels another heavy-weight, the Graveborn Muse. The Muse, while cheaper, demands a steady upkeep of life points for card drawing, specifically in zombie decks, offering both risk and reward. The Gargantua also offers an immediate two-card draw on entering the battlefield, rounding out its presence with a hefty 4/4 body.
Comparably, Bloodgift Demon offers a similar card-drawing ability paired with a flying creature, but it does so in a drip-feed method, one card per upkeep. However, Bloodgift Demon provides a more flexible and sustained draw over time which could prove more useful in certain strategies. Another creature worth noting is Harvester of Souls, granting card draw upon the death of any non-token creature, potentially amassing a significant card advantage given the right board state.
Focusing on Phyrexian Gargantua, while it might initially seem expensive and leaves you vulnerable the turn it’s played, its immediate effect and synergy in decks that exploit creature sacrifice or death-triggered abilities can be invaluable. In a game where cards equate to options, the Gargantua could very well be a pivotal inclusion in your deck.
Cards similar to Phyrexian Gargantua by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Phyrexian Gargantua enters the battlefield, it allows the player to draw two cards, enhancing their ability to maintain a strong hand and outmaneuver opponents with additional options.
Resource Acceleration: Although the card itself does not directly result in resource acceleration, drawing two cards increases the likelihood of pulling land or other mana sources, effectively accelerating access to resources indirectly.
Instant Speed: While Phyrexian Gargantua is a creature and not an instant, its drawing effect occurs immediately upon entry to the battlefield. This simulates the immediate impact that instant speed spells have, by quickly influencing the board state and giving the player more immediate resources to work with during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Phyrexian Gargantua offers the advantage of card draw upon entering the battlefield, it also demands that you sacrifice a creature, which can be a significant downside if your board presence is crucial for your strategy or if you have limited creatures in play.
Specific Mana Cost: As Phyrexian Gargantua requires one black mana in its casting cost, it can be restrictive and not as flexible for decks that are not focused around black mana or those with a tight mana base not conducive to black mana generation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: This creature comes with a steep six mana cost, which is sizeable investment in terms of resources. Given the rate of mana accumulation and the plethora of alternative creatures and spell options, there are occasions where deploying Phyrexian Gargantua might not be the most mana-efficient move, especially in fast-paced games where tempo is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian Gargantua stands out as a flexible inclusion in a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those keen on balancing creature presence with card draw mechanics. Its ability to provide immediate card advantage upon entering the battlefield makes it a valuable addition to any collection looking to enhance mid-range and control strategies.
Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with decks that are designed to capitalize on death and reanimation triggers. Its entrance and exit from the battlefield can be used to fuel graveyard strategies or work in tandem with effects that trigger when a creature dies, offering considerable combo potential.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where the meta often fluctuates between aggressive and control-focused strategies, Phyrexian Gargantua has proven to be a solid card against slower-paced games. By providing card advantage, it helps maintain hand size and gives players the resources needed to outlast their opponents in grindy matches.
How to beat
Phyrexian Gargantua stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that offers both a significant board presence and card advantage upon entering the battlefield. The immediate impact of drawing two cards can be a game-changer, given its similarity to effects found on spell cards like Night’s Whisper, providing immediate card advantage at a lower life cost.
This card, however, comes with the price of life points and a relatively high mana cost, which can be exploited. Strategies to counter Phyrexian Gargantua involve minimizing its entry impact or removing it before its owner can capitalize on the advantage. Considering its six-mana cost, keeping pace with more efficient creature removals or counterspells like Doom Blade or Counterspell can ensure it never becomes a threat. In addition, pressuring your opponent early on denies them the stability needed to cast such a weighty creature without significant risk.
Utilizing these tactics effectively requires not only good timing but also a thorough understanding of your opponent’s strategy. Acknowledging these considerations, players can formulate appropriate responses to mitigate the benefits Phyrexian Gargantua promises and maintain control over the game state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Gargantua MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Ninth Edition, 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 Gargantua 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Phyrexian Gargantua Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 48 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 153★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 153 | 2003 | Normal | White | Carl Critchlow | |
| 4 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 15 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow | |
| 5 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 87 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 6 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 154 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 7 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 101 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 8 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 265 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 9 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine | MOM | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kevin Sidharta | |
| 10 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 178 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Gargantua has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |