Phyrexian Processor MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 306
1999-08-04 - Number kb306sb
2000-08-02 - Number jk306sb
2000-08-02 - Number jk306
2000-08-02 - Number nl306sb
2000-08-02 - Number jf306b
2010-03-19 - Number 29
2016-08-19 - Number 12
2022-11-18 - Number 102z
2022-11-18 - Number 39
2022-11-18 - Number 102
2022-11-18 - Number 70
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
When Phyrexian Processor comes into play, pay any amount of life. o4, oc T: Put a Minion token into play. Treat this token as a black creature with power and toughness each equal to the amount of life paid at the time Phyrexian Processor came into play.
Cards like Phyrexian Processor
The Phyrexian Processor stands as a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering, inviting parallels with other life-payment for benefit artifacts. When scrutinizing artifacts like Bolas’s Citadel and Aetherflux Reservoir, the Phyrexian Processor’s ability to pay life once and create a stream of large minions presents a distinct tactical advantage. Bolas’s Citadel allows play of spells from the top of your deck at the cost of life equivalent to the mana cost, a powerful ability yet different in its application. Meanwhile, Aetherflux Reservoir converts life gain into a focused burst of damage, but it doesn’t offer the recurring creature advantage that Phyrexian Processor can.
Another artifact in this comparative landscape is Erebos, God of the Dead, which while not being a direct creature generator, reduces life to draw cards, potentially leading to creature deployments. However, the sheer intimidation and board presence offered by a swarm of large tokens furnished by the Phyrexian Processor typically has a more immediate impact during gameplay. The processor’s one-time life investment for sustained creature production offers a strategic depth that enriches MTG play experiences.
Ultimately, each of these artifacts serve their roles within different strategies, but the Phyrexian Processor’s command of the battlefield through its potentially massive minions cements its place in decks seeking to leverage life totals for imposing threats.
Cards similar to Phyrexian Processor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Phyrexian Processor provides an ongoing advantage by creating a powerful Minion token each turn, which can present recurring threats to opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While the Processor does require an initial life payment, once in play, it can accelerate the board state significantly by producing large tokens without additional mana cost each turn.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the tokens generated can be used defensively against surprise attacks or can swing in during your turn while the opponent’s resources may be down.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Phyrexian Processor demands a precise combination of mana, including four generic mana to cast. This requirement pigeonholes it into decks that can consistently generate the necessary mana, potentially limiting its broader playability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost totaling four mana, the Processor stands at a higher threshold for artifact-based strategies. Its initial investment may not yield immediate board impact compared to other mana-efficient options available to players.
Discard Requirement: Although Phyrexian Processor doesn’t innately require discarding cards, its life payment upon entering the battlefield could be seen as a parallel disadvantage. Overcommitting life to create a powerful token might leave you vulnerable, akin to the setback felt from a stringent discard requirement.
Reasons to Include Phyrexian Processor in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian Processor offers a unique dynamic to any deck seeking to capitalize on life total manipulation. Whether you’re piloting a life-gain strategy or an aggressive deck wanting a customizable creature, this artifact provides numerous tactical adaptations.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in combos. It pairs exceptionally well with cards that allow you to gain life or protect your investment into a large, formidable token creature. Its ability to consistently create large minions is a boon for strategies centered around creature-based synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where board presence is paramount, the Phyrexian Processor can shine by creating substantial token creatures every turn. This consistent threat generation keeps opponents on their toes, making it a powerful contender in various meta scenarios.
How to beat
Phyrexian Processor demands a unique approach among the artifacts in MTG. As a powerful card that allows players to create minions with a power and toughness equal to the life paid at its activation, it can quickly escalate the game tempo and overwhelm opponents with huge creatures. To effectively disrupt this strategy, players should consider removal options for both artifacts and the minions it generates.
Artifact destruction spells are quintessential in this scenario. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize offer a straightforward resolution to the Processor’s threat by removing it from the playfield. Additionally, maintaining control over an opponent’s creatures with spells like Doom Blade or the versatile Swords to Plowshares ensures that any minions spawned from the Processor are dealt with swiftly. The priority is to disrupt the creation of minions or eliminate them before their size becomes unmanageable.
In conclusion, facing the Phyrexian Processor on the battlefield necessitates proactive measures. Targeted removal of the artifact before it can generate value or consistent creature control are key tactics. Employing these strategies makes handling this challenging card manageable and can tip the scales in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Processor MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and World Championship Decks 1999, 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 Processor 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
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Printings
The Phyrexian Processor Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 306 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | kb306sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
| 3 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jk306sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
| 4 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jk306 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
| 5 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | nl306sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
| 6 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jf306b | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
| 7 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 29 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 8 | 2016-08-19 | From the Vault: Lore | V16 | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 9 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts | BRR | 102z | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 10 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts | BRR | 39 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 11 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts | BRR | 102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 12 | The Brothers' War Art Series | ABRO | 70 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Dave Kendall |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Processor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phyrexian Processor 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 | You can pay 0 life if you want, but it's not useful most of the time. |