Phyrexian Vault MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 316
1999-04-21 - Number 307
2007-07-13 - Number 337
2010-03-19 - Number 21
2020-09-26 - Number MIR-316
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
, oc T, Sacrifice a creature: Draw a card.
"The secrets of Phyrexia are expensive. You will pay in brass and bone, steel and sinew." —Kaervek
Cards like Phyrexian Vault
The Phyrexian Vault is a unique artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering players a strategic advantage by sacrificing a creature to draw a card. It shares similarities with the Morbid Curiosity card, which also revolves around sacrificing a creature, but it allows you to draw cards equal to the sacrificed creature’s power. While Morbid Curiosity can lead to drawing more cards, the Vault doesn’t require a large creature to be effective and has a repeatable effect every turn.
Altar’s Reap is another card that echoes the creature-sacrifice for card-draw theme. Unlike Phyrexian Vault, Altar’s Reap is an instant, allowing for more flexibility and surprise plays. It draws two cards immediately but is a one-off event, unlike the vault’s continual but slower pace. Then there’s Culling Dais, an artifact that accumulates value over time and eventually can be sacrificed for a surge of card draw. While Culling Dais requires forethought and build-up, Phyrexian Vault can be activated at a steady rhythm without a waiting period.
Players must weigh the balance between the speed of card draw and the utility of the sacrificed creatures. Phyrexian Vault may not provide a windfall of cards at once, but its consistent card advantage can be pivotal in the long game. This makes Phyrexian Vault a dependable option among MTG cards that utilize the sacrifice mechanic for generating card advantage.
Cards similar to Phyrexian Vault by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phyrexian Vault provides consistent card draw, offering the ability to exchange creatures for new cards. This can give you the upper hand by replenishing your hand with potentially game-changing options.
Resource Acceleration: By facilitating the sacking of creatures, Phyrexian Vault synergizes well with decks that benefit from creatures entering the graveyard, essentially turning creatures into new resources and possibly enabling bigger plays ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The advantage of activating Phyrexian Vault at instant speed cannot be understated. It allows you to adapt to the flow of the game, using the ability when the timing is most advantageous, such as in response to removal or during an opponent’s end step for maximum efficiency.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Phyrexian Vault demands that players discard another creature card, which could deplete your hand and resources, particularly detrimental during late-game scenarios when every card held can turn the tide of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost includes black mana, which may not be readily available in all decks, rendering it less versatile across diverse deck builds where color fixing isn’t prioritized or feasible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its activation cost being three mana, players might find the cost-to-benefit ratio less appealing, especially when there are alternative artifact options that provide card draw or similar outputs at lower mana expenditures.
Reasons to Include Phyrexian Vault in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian Vault offers a seamless addition to various deck archetypes. Its ability to sacrifice creatures for card advantage is beneficial in decks that capitalize on creature death or require consistent card draw.
Combo Potential: This artifact syncs well with strategies that revolve around the graveyard, such as reanimator or Aristocrats themes. Phyrexian Vault’s capacity to turn creatures into new cards allows players to churn through their deck and access essential combo pieces.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks prominent in the current landscape, having a reliable way to utilize your creatures, even in death, keeps this card relevant. In environments where trading resources is key, Phyrexian Vault provides a consistent outlet for advantage.
How to beat Phyrexian Vault
Confronting the challenge of the Phyrexian Vault in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic planning and precise play. This artifact has the power to draw extra cards at the cost of sacrificing a creature. While this may seem daunting as it fuels an opponent’s hand, there are ways to turn the tables on this imposing card.
Utilizing artifact removal cards like Nature’s Claim or Abrade can eliminate the threat outright, ensuring that the card advantage never comes to fruition. If you’re in a creature-heavy deck, consider running cards like Scavenging Ooze, which not only deals with creatures in graveyards but also gains you life and becomes a bigger threat on the board. Cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can prevent the most problematic aspects of Phyrexian Vault by halting creatures from being targeted in the graveyard, throwing a wrench into your opponent’s plan.
In sum, while the Phyrexian Vault can provide a significant edge in card advantage, it’s not insurmountable. Timely artifact destruction, graveyard management, and even preemptive measures can keep the balance in your favor and mitigate the impact of this powerful card-draw engine.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Vault MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth 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 Vault 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 Vault Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by Hannibal King.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 316 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Hannibal King | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 307 | 1997 | Normal | White | Hannibal King | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 337 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Hannibal King | |
| 4 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 21 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Hannibal King | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | MIR-316 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Hannibal King |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Vault has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |