Purgatory MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Number | 275 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mike Dringenberg |
Text of card
Whenever a summon card is put into your graveyard from play, put that card face up under Purgatory. During your upkeep, you may pay o4 and 2 life to put any card under Purgatory into play as though it were just played. If Purgatory leaves play, remove all cards under if from the game.
Cards like Purgatory
Purgatory is a unique enchantment in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering, tapping into the realm of creature management and resurrection. When assessed alongside cards like Phyrexian Reclamation, the nuances of their utility become apparent. Phyrexian Reclamation allows for direct retrieval of creatures from the graveyard to hand, whereas Purgatory requires imprisonment of the creature upon death and then pays mana and life later to summon it back to the field.
Another parallel can be drawn with the mechanics of Whip of Erebos, which also deals with the afterlife of creatures but in a different manner. Whip of Erebos temporarily brings the creature back with haste, yet exiles it at the end of the turn. This contrasts with Purgatory’s permanent resurrection given the price is paid. Then there is Mimic Vat, which offers a way to create token copies of creatures that die but doesn’t resurrect the original card. This instills a dynamic choice between creating tokens and outright resurrection as two divergent strategies.
Through this comparative lens, Purgatory offers a strategic depth that demands careful planning for its cost-intensive ability. Hence, it occupies its niche within Magic: The Gathering’s tapestry of graveyard-centric cards, providing an interesting option for deck builders focusing on long-term plays.
Cards similar to Purgatory by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Purgatory provides the tactical benefit of recurring creatures from the graveyard. By allowing you to put these creatures back into play, it can essentially replace the cards in your hand with threats on the board, keeping your options diverse and your presence strong in the match.
Resource Acceleration: Though Purgatory requires an initial investment to activate, it can lead to significant resource acceleration in the long run. By reusing creatures that have cycling or other enter-the-battlefield effects, you can generate additional value without expending extra cards from your hand or deck.
Instant Speed: While Purgatory itself is not an instant, it allows you to use its effect at instant speed once on the battlefield. This flexibility lets you optimize your turns, responding swiftly to the flow of the game and making calculated moves when they will be most impactful.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Purgatory demands the sacrifice of another card from your hand, which can strangle your resources during crucial moments of play. This can be especially detrimental when you are clutching onto key cards for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that necessitates both black and white mana, Purgatory can be tricky to incorporate into a deck. This specificity makes it less flexible and can result in it being a dead card in hand if you haven’t established the necessary mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana to summon may weigh down your curve, especially when you factor in the ongoing cost to trigger its ability. In situations where tempo is king, Purgatory may lag behind more agile options available in the format.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Purgatory offers a unique gameplay mechanic that allows players to regain control of creatures that have been destroyed. This versatility makes it a fit for various deck types looking to recycle valuable creatures for a strategic advantage.
Combo Potential: Given Purgatory’s ability to interact with the graveyard, it can serve as a pivotal piece in combos that revolve around creature sacrifice and resurrection, thus amplifying strategies that rely on such synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where recurring creatures from the graveyard is pivotal, Purgatory can provide an edge by allowing for a consistent return of threats, potentially outpacing decks that are unprepared for such recurrence.
How to beat
Purgatory in Magic: The Gathering presents a unique challenge with its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield. This type of enchantment can steadily tip the scales in your opponent’s favor if left unaddressed. To overcome Purgatory, it is crucial to employ strategies that directly disrupt this type of card.
One effective method is using enchantment removal spells to eliminate Purgatory before it can establish control. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize offer a quick and low-cost solution. Additionally, taking advantage of counterspells such as Cancel or Negate when Purgatory is initially cast can prevent it from affecting the game altogether.
Furthermore, graveyard hate cards that remove or exile cards from graveyards, like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, can nullify Purgatory’s effect and secure your position in the match. Prioritizing these strategies when facing a deck that utilizes Purgatory is key in maintaining the upper hand and paving the path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Purgatory MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Purgatory 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Purgatory has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Purgatory card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If an opponent takes control of this card and pays for the upkeep ability, the creatures will enter the battlefield under their control even if you exiled them. |
| 2004-10-04 | If destroyed at the same time some creatures are destroyed, the destroyed creatures are exiled and stay exiled. |
| 2008-04-01 | This has been restored to a triggered ability that triggers when a nontoken creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, rather than a replacement effect. The creature does go to the graveyard, and will trigger any other abilities that look for this event. |
| 2008-08-01 | If this card changes controllers between putting the upkeep triggered ability on the stack and resolving it, the creature is put onto the battlefield under the control of the player who controlled this card when the ability was put on the stack. |