Phyrexian Vindicator MTG Card


Grants card advantage by removing creatures without losing resources, enhancing board control. Instant-speed ability adds strategic depth and flexibility during opponents’ turns. Despite its power, requires careful deck construction due to specific mana needs.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Horror
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying If damage would be dealt to Phyrexian Vindicator, prevent that damage. When damage is prevented this way, Phyrexian Vindicator deals that much damage to any other target.

Submit and know the Mother's glory. Resist and and know her wrath.


Cards like Phyrexian Vindicator

The discussion of powerhouses within creature cards in MTG brings us to Phyrexian Vindicator. This card is a curious parallel to cards like Knight of the Ebon Legion in terms of its potential to become a formidable force in the battlefield. While Knight of the Ebon Legion can gradually grow its power and toughness, Phyrexian Vindicator stands out by having a solid starting power and toughness that, combined with vigilance and other abilities, presents a threat right from the onset.

Diving deeper, Adanto Vanguard offers an angle of comparison regarding resilience. It can gain indestructible at a cost, much like Phyrexian Vindicator’s ability to protect itself with its Phyrexian mana cost activation. Nonetheless, the Vindicator’s mix of offensive and defensive traits gives it a unique edge in a fight. Then, when sizing it up against Elite Inquisitor, which also comes with vigilance and a protection ability, the innovative design of Phyrexian mana in Vindicator’s cost gives it versatility Elite Inquisitor doesn’t have.

In reviewing Phyrexian Vindicator alongside its analogs, it’s apparent that its blend of offensive vigor and defensive mechanics make it an attractive option for players looking to balance early-game aggression with long-term battlefield presence.

Knight of the Ebon Legion - MTG Card versions
Adanto Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Ebon Legion - MTG Card versions
Adanto Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Phyrexian Vindicator by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Teroh's Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Kami of Old Stone - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Veteran of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Teroh's Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Kami of Old Stone - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Veteran of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Phyrexian Vindicator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
Orzhov FlashOrzhov Flash StandardOrzhov FlashTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 1, 2024
Mono-White ControlMono-White Control StandardMono-White ControlStandard League 2023-11-23
Mono-White Death & TaxesMono-White Death & Taxes GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Mardu MidrangeMardu Midrange StandardMardu MidrangeTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024
WW StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange StandardMono-White MidrangeStandard League 2023-11-27
Mono-White AggroMono-White Aggro StandardMono-White AggroStandard Challenge 32 2023-10-29

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phyrexian Vindicator provides a significant upper hand by potentially removing an opponent’s creature each turn without loss of card resources. This ability to consistently disrupt your opponent’s board can lead to substantial card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: Although this particular card may not provide direct resource acceleration like Treasure tokens, its ability to efficiently deal with threats can help maintain your own resources. This translates to indirect resource acceleration by preserving your creatures and spells for more pivotal moments.

Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by instant-speed spells is invaluable in MTG, and Phyrexian Vindicator maximizes this by having an activated ability that can be used at instant speed. This allows you to reactively manage the battlefield during the enemy’s turn, keeping pressure and control in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One hurdle for players considering Phyrexian Vindicator in their decks is the potential need to discard. This can be a tough call, especially in the tense late-game moments where every card in hand is crucial for a comeback or to seal a victory.

Specific Mana Cost: Being particular about mana, Phyrexian Vindicator demands a precise mana arrangement to play. Not only does this constrain deck-building variety, but it also means that splashing it in multi-color decks can be challenging unless the mana base is carefully curated.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be seen as steep by some, Phyrexian Vindicator competes with other cards in the same bracket. For the mana investment, players often expect a more immediate or impactful presence on the battlefield, which could lead to this card being overlooked in favor of alternatives with a lower cost or more immediate impact.


Reasons to Include Phyrexian Vindicator in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Vindicator brings a level of adaptability to any deck, being a powerful threat in both aggressive and control strategies. Its sturdy stats make it a formidable creature on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With its ability to gain counters and potentially trample, Phyrexian Vindicator can synergize with strategies looking to beef up creatures or those that utilize +1/+1 counters. Its traits enable various interactions that could be exploited within combo-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are prevalent, Phyrexian Vindicator stands out as a resilient threat capable of decisively turning the tide of battle in your favor. Its inherent resistance to some of the common removal spells makes it a valuable asset in competitive play.


How to beat

The Phyrexian Vindicator is a formidable presence on the battlefield within the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its power lies in its synergy with the toxic mechanic and can be a challenging card to counter. One of the effective strategies to undermine the Vindicator is to utilize removal spells that can bypass its protection abilities. Spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat won’t be useful due to Vindicator’s protective qualities, so instead, broad-sweeping removals such as Wrath of God or Damnation are more effective as they don’t target individual creatures.

Another tactic would be employing counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak when the Vindicator is on the stack. This prevents the card from ever hitting the field and becoming a threat. Additionally, take advantage of sacrifice effects where your opponent must choose creatures to sacrifice, bypassing any protections the Vindicator might have. Cards like Liliana of the Veil can force sacrifices, making the Vindicator vulnerable despite its intimidating presence. In essence, beating the Vindicator entails a strategic approach by sidestepping its defenses rather than confronting it head-on.


BurnMana Recommendations

Phyrexian Vindicator is more than just another creature card in your MTG deck; it’s a potential game-changer. With its abilities to disrupt opponent’s plays and adapt to various combat situations, savvy players would do well to consider its value. Whether it’s the synergy with +1/+1 counters or the capability to swing games in creature-heavy metas, incorporating Phyrexian Vindicator could be your strategic edge. Curious about how to optimize this card in your next deck or seeking alternative strategies against it? Discover actionable tips, deeper insights, and learn how to leverage the Vindicator to its full potential in MTG with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Vindicator MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Vindicator and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Phyrexian Vindicator Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 4252015NormalBorderlessShikee
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 272015NormalBlackDenys Tsiperko
32023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art SeriesAONE 652015Art seriesBorderless
42023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One PromosPONE 27s2015NormalBlackDenys Tsiperko
52023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art SeriesAONE 72015Art seriesBorderless
62023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One PromosPONE 27p2015NormalBlackDenys Tsiperko
72023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 3002015NormalBorderlessShikee
82023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 3472015NormalBorderlessDZO

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Vindicator has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-02-04 If multiple replacement or prevention effects try to modify damage that would be dealt to a creature, the controller of the creature chooses the order in which they apply.