Phyrexian War Beast MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 127b
1996-06-10 - Number 127a
2001-12-01 - Number 37b
2001-12-01 - Number 37a
2007-09-10 - Number 162
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Beast |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
If Phyrexian War Beast leaves play, sacrifice a land, and Phyrexian War Beast deals 1 damage to you.
"Knowing its origins, how could they have thought they could control it?" —Sorine Relicbane, Soldevi Heretic
Cards like Phyrexian War Beast
The Phyrexian War Beast holds its ground within Magic: The Gathering as a creature that introduces both formidable strength and a notable self-sacrifice dynamic. In a similar territory, we have Su-Chi, a card that offers a potent four mana value 4/4 creature, which also has a drawback upon leaving the battlefield, yet it provides the controller with an abundance of colorless mana instead of a penalty.
Another comparable entity in this space is the Triskelion, which, while providing a more flexible and direct utility through its ability to remove counters for direct damage, comes at a higher casting cost. Despite lacking the War Beast’s compulsory sacrifice, Triskelion’s removal utility pits it as a versatile option.
In sifting through alternatives, the Phyrexian War Beast stands out by offering a budget-friendly, aggressive option for players seeking to assert early dominance on the board, while always mindful of the strategic balance intrinsic to its sacrifice mechanic. It’s an intriguing study of risk-versus-reward, a staple concept for creatures that impact the field with a presence that’s felt even as they cause their eventual own demise.
Cards similar to Phyrexian War Beast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Phyrexian War Beast itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, it can be a tactical asset when combined with effects that capitalize on creature death or artifact synergy. In such decks, sacrificing the War Beast can actually contribute to an overall card advantage strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Although this creature doesn’t provide traditional acceleration, the Phyrexian War Beast’s presence on the board may deter opponents from attacking, effectively giving you more time to deploy your resources. Moreover, once it leaves the battlefield, its downside of sacrificing a land can sometimes be turned into a benefit with land recursion tactics, giving you an unexpected form of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The War Beast itself isn’t an instant, but its role in the deck often benefits from instant speed interactions. For instance, using this creature in conjunction with instant-speed sacrifice outlets or combat tricks can create strong surprise advantages during combat or in response to opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Phyrexian War Beast requires you to sacrifice it when it leaves the battlefield. This mandatory sacrifice can put you at a card disadvantage, especially if you’re forced to sacrifice it due to your opponent’s actions.
Specific Mana Cost: The War Beast’s casting cost demands one colorless and two generic mana, which might not be as restrictive as a colored mana requirement but still necessitates careful mana base planning, particularly in multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While three mana is not exorbitant, considering the War Beast’s 3/4 stats and the drawback of sacrificing a land when it leaves play, some players may find more efficient creatures to include in their deck that don’t carry the same penalties.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Phyrexian War Beast is a multifaceted card that can play a role in decks focusing on artifact synergies or requiring sacrificial elements for larger payoff strategies.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature can be an integral part of combos, harnessing its enter or leave the battlefield abilities to manipulate life totals or as fodder for sacrifice-based mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where stax or control archetypes are prevalent, Phyrexian War Beast’s cost-effective nature and immediate board presence make it a timely addition to challenge opponent’s strategies.
How to beat
The Phyrexian War Beast presents a unique challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering. This artifact creature, balancing cost and power, appears as a strong early board presence. Its allure is its affordability for a 3/4 body, tempting for aggro strategies. But the War Beast harbors a steep downside upon leaving the battlefield, exacting a toll on its controller’s land and life total.
To effectively counter this card, savvy opponents can turn its disadvantageous exit trigger into a tactical opportunity. Employing removal spells that force the owner to sacrifice it, such as Diabolic Edict, bypasses its bulky frame while inflicting maximum penalty. Additionally, using precision exile effects like Path to Exile can remove it without triggering any battlefield departure penalty. This two-fold elimination approach not only clears the path for your victory but also hinders your opponent through resource reduction.
Overall, understanding the inherent risks of the Phyrexian War Beast can transform it from a threatening force into a liability for the unprepared controller. By exploiting its drawback, one can master the art of efficiently dispatching this mechanical behemoth in the intricate dance of MTG’s strategic combat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian War Beast MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 War Beast 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 War Beast Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Bill Sienkiewicz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 127b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Bill Sienkiewicz | |
| 2 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 127a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Bill Sienkiewicz | |
| 3 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 37b | 1997 | Normal | White | Bill Sienkiewicz | |
| 4 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 37a | 1997 | Normal | White | Bill Sienkiewicz | |
| 5 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 162 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Bill Sienkiewicz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian War Beast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |