Phyrexian Ghoul MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 148
1999-11-12 - Number 50
2009-09-04 - Number 37
2010-03-19 - Number 6
2011-05-14 - Number 53
2018-03-16 - Number 100
2023-01-13 - Number 98
2023-04-21 - Number 264
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Zombie |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Sacrifice a creature: Phyrexian Ghoul gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Phyrexia wastes nothing. Its food chain is a spiraling cycle.
Cards like Phyrexian Ghoul
Phyrexian Ghoul stands out in the world of MTG as a creature card that offers a unique mix of sacrifice and power-boost. Comparable to Nantuko Husk, both cards allow you to sacrifice another creature to give them a +2/+2 boost until the end of the turn. While sharing the same mana cost and the ability to self-enhance, Phyrexian Ghoul has the added flavor of the infamous Phyrexian subtype, lending itself well to themed decks.
Carrion Feeder is another relative, offering the sacrifice ability without the temporary power boost, instead opting for a +1/+1 counter, giving it a lasting advantage. Although Carrion Feeder can’t block, its lower mana cost and perpetual growth make it a formidable alternative for deck builders focused on long-term strategy.
Finally, we consider Bloodthrone Vampire, which, like Phyrexian Ghoul, gains a temporary +2/+2 power until the end of the turn when a creature is sacrificed. This common creature is valued in decks that capitalize on death triggers and power spikes. Each monster, including Phyrexian Ghoul, provides strategic value in MTG, boosting either their strength or contributing to various synergies across diverse gameplay scenarios.
Cards similar to Phyrexian Ghoul by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phyrexian Ghoul provides strategic depth to gameplay by allowing you to sacrifice creatures to power it up. This can translate into card advantage when you are turning expendable tokens or creatures that have fulfilled their purpose into a significant threat on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Through its sacrifice ability, the Phyrexian Ghoul can help you manipulate your board state to trigger various on-death effects. This enables a form of resource acceleration by unlocking additional value from your creatures as they head to the graveyard, potentially leading to further plays and overwhelming your opponents.
Instant Speed: While the Phyrexian Ghoul itself is not an instant-speed spell, its activated ability gives you instant-speed interaction. This allows you to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn, potentially removing your creatures from targetable spells or abilities and growing the Ghoul at a moment’s notice, surprising opponents with a suddenly larger blocker or attacker.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The need to sacrifice a creature to activate Phyrexian Ghoul’s ability may deplete your side of the battlefield, especially if you’re not running a deck focused on token generation or creatures with recursion abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Phyrexian Ghoul requires both black mana and generic mana to cast, which might not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that are not heavily invested in black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a creature that provides a sacrifice outlet and potential power increase, there are cards with lower mana costs or additional benefits that could be considered over Phyrexian Ghoul for a similar role.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian Ghoul offers flexible utility in various deck archetypes. Its ability to sacrifice creatures can be harnessed in a strategy that exploits death triggers, undying/persist mechanics, or as a way to avoid giving opponents the satisfaction of removing your valuable creatures through their spells or abilities.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with cards that produce a multitude of tokens or recur creatures from the graveyard. With the Ghoul, you can assemble a powerful engine that converts small creatures into significant power boosts on the battlefield. This synergy is particularly effective in sacrifice-themed decks.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that frequently involves creature-based strategies or heavy removal, Phyrexian Ghoul allows you to turn the tide by dictating the terms of creature death. This can disrupt opponent strategies and provide you with an unexpected avenue to victory, particularly in metas where creature control is a factor.
How to beat
Dealing with Phyrexian Ghoul in the world of Magic: The Gathering requires strategic planning and precise plays. This creature, known for its power to sacrifice other creatures for a boost, can quickly become a major threat on the battlefield. One effective strategy to neutralize this ghoul is to limit its fodder—without smaller creatures to consume, its strength is massively diminished.
Control tactics are your friend here, with cards that can exile, bounce, or pacify creatures proving invaluable. Spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Unsummon can disrupt your opponent’s board and remove the Ghoul before it grows too powerful. Enchantment-based removal, such as Pacifism, can also immobilize the ghoul, preventing it from attacking or using its sacrificial ability.
Moreover, graveyard removal cards further inhibit the ghoul’s potency. By using cards like Rest in Peace that target the graveyard, you ensure sacrificed creatures don’t fuel further graveyard-based strategies. Preventing such interactions is crucial in keeping the power level of Phyrexian Ghoul in check and securing your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Ghoul MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Ghoul 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 Ghoul Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 148 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 1999-11-12 | Battle Royale Box Set | BRB | 50 | 1997 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 3 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 37 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 4 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 5 | 2011-05-14 | Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia | TD2 | 53 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 6 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 7 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 98 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 8 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Commander | MOC | 264 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Ghoul has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |