Portal to Phyrexia MTG Card


Portal to Phyrexia accelerates resources, enabling quicker spell casting and strategic plays. Demands a card discard to activate, which can pose a strategic challenge to players. Instant speed play allows for dynamic responses and strategic depth in games.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost9
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact

Text of card

When Portal to Phyrexia enters the battlefield, each opponent sacrifices three creatures. At the beginning of your upkeep, put target creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. It's a Phyrexian in addition to its other types.


Cards like Portal to Phyrexia

Portal to Phyrexia stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering due to its unique ability to act as both a creature resource and a powerful game-changer. When scrutinizing it alongside comparable cards, it’s clear that it shares conceptual space with the likes of Call the Coppercoats. Call the Coppercoats is similar in creating creature tokens based on an opponent’s actions, but lacks the direct interference in opponents’ graveyards, which is where Portal to Phyrexia shines.

Further analysis brings cards like Xathrid Necromancer into the conversation. This card turns human creatures into zombie tokens when they die, fostering a token-centric strategy akin to Portal to Phyrexia. However, the latter takes this approach into a broader spectrum, allowing for more strategic manipulation of the battlefield through opponent graveyards. Then there’s Open the Graves, which creates zombie tokens whenever your nontoken creatures die, triggering solely on your creature losses and not offering the manipulative reach to opponent resources that Portal to Phyrexia does.

Considering all aspects, Portal to Phyrexia’s unique proposition as a multifaceted card that blends creature advantages with graveyard interaction affirms its standout presence in the diverse tapestry of Magic: The Gathering player strategies and deck builds.

Call the Coppercoats - MTG Card versions
Xathrid Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Open the Graves - MTG Card versions
Call the Coppercoats - MTG Card versions
Xathrid Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Open the Graves - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Portal to Phyrexia by color, type and mana cost

Colossus of Sardia - MTG Card versions
Teeka's Dragon - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Triniform - MTG Card versions
Triplicate Titan - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Forge - MTG Card versions
Suncrusher - MTG Card versions
Nullstone Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Colossus of Sardia - MTG Card versions
Teeka's Dragon - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Triniform - MTG Card versions
Triplicate Titan - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Forge - MTG Card versions
Suncrusher - MTG Card versions
Nullstone Gargoyle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UU LegacyLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-04 (1)
CascadeCascade StandardCascadeStandard League 2024-04-30
RR PioneerPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-25
Mono-Green TronMono-Green Tron ModernMono-Green TronGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Izzet ControlIzzet Control StandardIzzet ControlTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024
4c Control4c Control Standard4c ControlTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024
4c Midrange4c Midrange Pioneer4c MidrangePioneer Challenge 32 2024-03-31
Esper ReanimatorEsper Reanimator StandardEsper ReanimatorCCG Standard
Sultai ReanimatorSultai Reanimator StandardSultai ReanimatorTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 4, 2024
Dimir ReanimatorDimir Reanimator StandardSultai ReanimatorClassic Qualifier Prague 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Portal to Phyrexia provides players with a distinct advantage by potentially offering access to additional cards. Its ability can give a player the upper hand as they pull more resources from their deck, tipping the scales of the game in their favor.

Resource Acceleration: By creating a streamlined path to crucial mana resources, Portal to Phyrexia enhances a player’s capability to cast spells sooner than normal. This acceleration can be pivotal in a game, allowing for early deployment of strategies or quick responses to an opponent’s actions.

Instant Speed: The speed at which you can play Portal to Phyrexia can dramatically affect the outcome of a match. Playing at instant speed enables flexibility and strategic depth, allowing you to respond to an opponent’s moves or to end-step surprises that could turn the tide of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside of the Portal to Phyrexia card is that it demands you to give up another card from your hand to unlock its abilities. This requirement can put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is running low on cards. Managing your resources carefully is crucial to ensure this discard cost doesn’t set you back too much in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Accessing the power of Portal to Phyrexia comes with the need for a very specific mana arrangement. This could mean that only certain decks, particularly those that align with the necessary colors and mana types, can efficiently incorporate and make use of this card. It’s essential to consider your deck’s mana base before planning to include Portal to Phyrexia in your lineup.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, weighing the mana investment against other options is key. Although Portal to Phyrexia offers enticing abilities, the mana required to cast it is significant. There may be other cards available that provide equal or greater value for a lower mana investment, prompting a strategic evaluation of its place in your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Portal to Phyrexia offers flexibility as it can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its ability to bring creatures directly onto the battlefield from the graveyard opens up strategic options across multiple game phases.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, acting as the linchpin for powerful reanimator strategies. It can initiate game-winning plays by reanimating high-impact creatures that can turn the tides of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In the ever-evolving MTG landscape, Portal to Phyrexia maintains relevance. Its potential to disrupt opponents and shape games makes it a compelling choice, particularly in formats where reanimation tactics are prevalent.


How to beat

Portal to Phyrexia presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, with its distinctive ability to open up a world of Phyrexian creatures for its controller. This powerful card demands immediate attention once it hits the table, as it swiftly tilts the scales in favor of the player who wields it. To combat this advantage, disrupting the card’s activation becomes key.

Counterspells and enchantment removal are your mainstay measures against Portal to Phyrexia. A well-timed Disenchant or Naturalize can effectively neutralize the Portal before its effects come into play, preserving the balance of power. Additionally, strategies that limit the ability to pay life, such as the effects of cards like Tainted Remedy, provide an indirect but effective tactic to obstruct your opponent’s plans. Fast-paced aggressive decks can also pressure players relying on Portal to Phyrexia, by forcing them to defend rather than paying life to trigger its game-changing ability.

Focusing on these strategies allows you to maintain control of the game’s pace and prevent your opponent from unleashing the full potential of Phyrexian horrors onto the battlefield. By preparing for and promptly addressing the threat of Portal to Phyrexia, you stand a strong chance at overcoming this formidable foe in your MTG encounters.


BurnMana Recommendations

Grasping the power of Portal to Phyrexia can markedly elevate your MTG gameplay. The card’s ability to draw additional resources and accelerate mana can catapult you ahead, strategically placing you in a position of dominance on the battlefield. However, its demand for specific mana and the potential card sacrifice must be weighed carefully to ensure your deck remains robust. We invite you to delve deeper into your MTG strategy and discover how Portal to Phyrexia can be the keystone in your collection, introducing new dynamics and unleashing powerful combos. Enhance your understanding and master your deck composition by learning more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Portal to Phyrexia MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The Brothers' War, 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 Portal to Phyrexia 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 Portal to Phyrexia Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1058602015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 3652015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 2402015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Portal to Phyrexia has restrictions

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