Phyrexian Gremlins MTG Card

Phyrexian Gremlins disrupt artifacts, granting strategic advantage via card and resource control. Instant speed activation allows players to adapt during any phase of the game. Potential downsides include a discard requirement and high mana cost for its utility.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Gremlin
Released	1994-03-04
Set symbol
Set name	Antiquities
Set code	ATQ
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	18
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Amy Weber

Text of card

Tap Gremlins to tap an artifact. As long as Gremlins remain tapped and in play, that artifact does not untap as normal during its controller's untap phase. You may choose not to untap Gremlins during your untap phase.

Cards like Phyrexian Gremlins

Phyrexian Gremlins stands in the ranks of artifact disruption spells within Magic: The Gathering. A close relative in this family is the card Artifact Possession. Both cards deter opponents from utilizing their artifacts by attaching negative effects to them. However, Phyrexian Gremlins provides additional flexibility as it completely taps an artifact and prevents it from untapping during its controller’s untap step, effectively locking it down.

Turning to Karn, Silver Golem, we observe yet another dimension of artifact interaction. While not directly impeding artifact functionality, Karn transforms artifacts into creatures, thereby making them vulnerable to removal spells. This indirect form of artifact control contrasts the direct inhibition by Phyrexian Gremlins, presenting a strategic alternative for players.

In evaluating these options, Phyrexian Gremlins emerges as a potent tool for players looking to hamper their opponent’s artifact strategies directly. Its ability to neutralize key artifacts can be a major advantage during a game, positioning it as a reliable choice for those seeking effective artifact control in their MTG decks.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phyrexian Gremlins has the capacity to disrupt your opponent’s artifact strategies, potentially leading to a swing in card advantage by nullifying the utility of their artifacts.

Resource Acceleration: By tapping to control an opponent’s artifact, Phyrexian Gremlins can inadvertently speed up your resources if the artifact has any mana-producing abilities.

Instant Speed: Although this creature itself isn’t an instant, the ability to utilize its tapping function at instant speed during your opponent’s turn provides strategic flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats or opportunities dynamically.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of playing Phyrexian Gremlins is the potential discard requirement, which can set you back by forcing you to throw away valuable cards from your hand. This can often lead to a difficult decision, especially if your hand is already low on cards or if you’re holding key pieces for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a specific mana cost that includes Phyrexian mana, making it not universally applicable in all decks. While the Phyrexian mana offers flexibility, it can also be detrimental to your life total or constrain your deck-building options to include enough sources for this type of cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although offering a disruptive ability, Phyrexian Gremlins may not be the most mana-efficient option available. The card’s mana cost is on the higher end for its effect and stat line, and savvy players will often weigh it against other potential includes that could offer similar disruption without such a steep mana investment.

Reasons to Include Phyrexian Gremlins in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Gremlins can adapt to various deck styles, especially those seeking to disrupt opponents’ artifact strategies. Their ability to tap artifacts make them useful in numerous situations.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with other cards that punish or leverage tapped artifacts. This can lead to powerful combinations and enhance artifact-centric plays in your deck.

Meta-Relevance: With artifacts being a common component in many competitive decks, the ability to control and limit their use with Phyrexian Gremlins could prove essential in the current metagame landscape.

How to beat

Phyrexian Gremlins is a niche but potentially disruptive force in the artifact-centric games of Magic: The Gathering. This creature shines by stalling your opponent’s machinery, hindering artifact activations by tacking on additional costs. To overcome such restrictions, it’s imperative to focus on alternatives that either bypass activation costs or nullify the Gremlins’ meddling abilities outright.

Cards like Abrade provide a straightforward solution. This instant not only deals with the Gremlins directly but also offers flexibility against other threats. Another approach is to call upon creatures with “can’t be blocked” or hexproof, keeping your attacking strategy unaffected by ground-bound creatures. Moreover, implementing enchantment-based removal, which Phyrexian Gremlins has no power over, can clear your path, allowing your artifacts to function smoothly.

Admittedly, contingency plans are key when facing such specialized disruption. Supplementing your deck with a balanced mix of direct removal, versatile creatures, and enchantment-driven answers will preserve your tempo and keep the Gremlins from gumming up the works.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Gremlins MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities, 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 Gremlins and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Gremlins has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Can target a tapped artifact.
2004-10-04	If the Gremlins somehow become an artifact and then tap themselves, they can never be untapped during the untap phase. They must be untapped by an external effect.
2004-10-04	Only prevents the artifact from untapping during untap step. Ones that untap during upkeep are not inhibited.
2004-10-04	The effect does not end if the target stops being valid. For example, if it stops being an artifact.
2004-10-04	The target artifact can’t untap if the Gremlins and the artifact are tapped during untap, even if it is your artifact, and you plan on untapping the Gremlins.