Phyrexian Prowler MTG Card
2000-02-14 - Number 65
2020-09-26 - Number NEM-65
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Zombie Mercenary |
| Abilities | Fading |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Fading 3 (This creature comes into play with three fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Remove a fade counter from Phyrexian Prowler: Phyrexian Prowler gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Cards like Phyrexian Prowler
The Phyrexian Prowler is a card that skillfully blends combat with utility in Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with cards like Vampire Nighthawk, which is also a notorious creature for offering a flying ability coupled with deathtouch and lifelink. However, Phyrexian Prowler edges out with its flexibility in mana costs due to the Phyrexian mana system, which allows a player to either pay with life or with mana.
Another card worth mentioning is the Nighthawk Scavenger, a creature that has a power level directly tied to the number of card types in opponents’ graveyards. While the Scavenger can potentially have a higher power output, the Prowler’s inclusion of infect as an ability may tip the scales due to its potential to end games swiftly by accruing poison counters on an opponent.
Within the realm of infect creatures, we might also look at Blighted Agent. It boasts an unblockable trait, making it a reliable deliverer of poison counters. Still, the Prowler’s ability to fend off attacks with its deathtouch makes for a more versatile battlefield presence.
Overall, the Phyrexian Prowler’s unique blend of aggressive and defensive capabilities ensures its place in decks that favor a tactical approach to utilizing infect mechanics and life payment options.
Cards similar to Phyrexian Prowler by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phyrexian Prowler’s ability to become unblockable until end of turn after you draw a card ensures that you’re not only bolstering your hand but also applying consistent pressure on your opponent. The synergy between drawing and evading blockers can frequently lead to a significant advantage on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While Phyrexian Prowler itself may not directly produce additional resources, its reliable damage due to unblockability aids in triggering resource-linked mechanics or enabling spectacle and raid. This can indirectly lead to a quicker deployment of your strategies and threats, keeping the tempo of the game in your favor.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Phyrexian Prowler’s ability at instant speed adds a layer of strategy, allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment. Whether it’s post-blockers during the declare blockers step or in response to an opponent’s spell, you stay in control, dictating the pace and flow of combat in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Phyrexian Prowler necessitates discarding another card to unleash its potential. This requirement can be detrimental when your hand is already strained for resources, potentially forcing you to lose valuable cards in the process.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast the Phyrexian Prowler, you need to tap into a precise mana combination which includes Phyrexian mana. This can pose a challenge in decks not dedicated to such mana flexibility, sometimes making it a less versatile choice for a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Phyrexian Prowler offers intriguing abilities, its casting cost may be judged too steep for the effects it provides. With a multitude of competitive creatures in the same mana range, players might opt for alternatives that grant immediate impact without additional costs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian Prowler offers adaptability to several deck archetypes with its infect ability and evasion through being unblockable. This enables it to be a threat in any game state, slipping past defenses and steadily accumulating poison counters on your opponent.
Combo Potential: As an infect creature, it pairs well with spells that increase power, doubling as a catalyst for explosive turns. Its compatibility with proliferate mechanics also allows for synergistic plays that can swiftly close out games.
Meta-Relevance: The creature can be a game-changer in an environment where single, unblockable threats can change the course of a match. In a meta where combat interactions are key, Phyrexian Prowler stands out as a card that consistently applies pressure and shapes the battlefield to your advantage.
How to beat
Phyrexian Prowler enters the battlefield as a formidable force. This stealthy creature card is not easily dealt with, thanks to its evasion and potential for power increase. However, every card has its Achilles’ heel, and for Phyrexian Prowler, it’s the reliance on counters to maximize its potential. Without them, it becomes more vulnerable.
To counteract this sneaky adversary, consider utilizing instant-speed removal spells that can target and eliminate the Prowler before it accrues the necessary counters to become a threat. Spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be incredibly efficient in this situation. Furthermore, keeping a keen eye on the stack and board state allows players to react promptly to the Prowler’s entrance, mitigating the risk of it becoming uncontrollable.
Board wipes also serve as an equalizer against this menace. Sweepers like Damnation or Wrath of God can clear the board, including the Prowler, irrespective of how powered up it has become. In the art of war within MTG decks, it’s essential to have a blend of removals that can adapt to different threats. With the right strategy and timely removal, the Phyrexian Prowler can be rendered just another creature passing through your battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Prowler MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and The List, 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 Prowler 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 Prowler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2000-02-14. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Prowler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |