Thoughtbound Phantasm MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 55
2024-02-09 - Number 122
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Defender Whenever you surveil, put a +1/+1 counter on Thoughtbound Phantasm. As long as Thoughtbound Phantasm has three or more +1/+1 counters on it, it can attack as though it didn't have defender.
Cards like Thoughtbound Phantasm
Thoughtbound Phantasm stands out in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Like other surveil-enabled creatures, such as Dimir Spybug and Nightveil Sprite, it benefits from the surveil mechanic, gaining +1/+1 counters and becoming a more formidable blocker. Thoughtbound Phantasm starts robust with its 2/2 stat line and defensive potential thanks to its ability to block additional creatures once it has three or more +1/+1 counters on it.
Comparatively, we observe creatures like Lurking Informant that share the surveil synergy, though it doesn’t grow like Thoughtbound Phantasm does. The Informant offers more control over the deck’s top cards but fails to match the Phantasm’s scaling threat on the board. Similarly, Enhanced Surveillance fleshes out the surveil strategy, boosting the mechanic’s effectiveness but lacking the creature presence that makes Thoughtbound Phantasm immediately impactful.
Therefore, evaluating cards within the surveil theme, Thoughtbound Phantasm delivers a dual value: it’s a surveil enabler that becomes an increasingly larger threat on the battlefield, providing inherent card quality control and a pacing edge over adversaries.
Cards similar to Thoughtbound Phantasm by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Thoughtbound Phantasm. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UB | Modern | Modern Preliminary 2024-03-12 | |
 | Temur Aggro | Legacy | Circuito Legacy RS 2024 - Etapa 4 | |
 | Izzet Breach | Modern | Temur Breach | 2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open |
 | Temur Breach | Modern | Temur Breach | Modern League 2024-02-29 |
 | Temur Tempo | Modern | Temur Tempo | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-01 |
| Generic Ragavan | Modern | Generic Ragavan | Modern Challenge 64 2024-03-31 |
| Decklist | Free form | Holiday Night Magic | |
| Under world breach | Other | The Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #002 | |
| Jeskai Surveil | Other | Timeless Creator Clash #002 | |
 | UBR | Legacy | Legacy League 2024-03-07 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thoughtbound Phantasm can become a significant threat if you surveil frequently, effectively turning your deck manipulation into potential board dominance without sacrificing hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself does not accelerate resources, its low cost allows for an early board presence, leaving mana available for surveillance spells or threats, optimizing your resource usage as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: The ability to grow Thoughtbound Phantasm at instant speed by casting surveil spells during either player’s turn can catch an opponent off guard, creating unexpected blockers or attackers that are larger than anticipated.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To grow Thoughtbound Phantasm into a formidable defender, it necessitates a consistent stream of surveilling – without it, you could be stalling out with a 2/2 creature that’s unable to advance.
Specific Mana Cost: Being locked into blue mana can be restrictive when deck building. Thoughtbound Phantasm demands a dedicated slot in surveil-centric decks, limiting its use across the diverse deck archetypes in MTG.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Thoughtbound Phantasm only costs two blue mana, its starting stats don’t reflect immediate value. Compounded by the fact that its true potential lies behind additional surveil triggers, players may find themselves committing resources to a creature that necessitates additional setup and support to truly flourish.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thoughtbound Phantasm’s role as an early defender allows it to fit seamlessly into blue-based control or surveil decks, with the added benefit of becoming a potent threat once powered up.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with surveil mechanics, making it a great piece for combos in decks that leverage the graveyard, enabling larger swings in both board presence and life totals.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of aggressive strategies, Thoughtbound Phantasm serves as a significant deterrent, buying time until the control player establishes their game plan and responds to the ever-evolving meta.
How to beat Thoughtbound Phantasm
Thoughtbound Phantasm represents a prevalent archetype in MTG: low-cost creatures that can grow into significant threats. This card stands out due to its synergy with the surveil mechanic, allowing it to become more formidable each time you surveil. But as with many growing threats, there are strategies to manage it before it overwhelms the battlefield.
The key lies in preemptive action. Removal spells that don’t rely on power, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, can dispatch the Phantasm before it has the chance to bulk up. Counter spells also work wonders by preventing it from hitting the field in the first place. Alternatively, cards that bypass defense, like pacifism effects or enchantments like Lignify, can neutralize it without the need for direct removal. Board wipes are another reliable way to reset the playing field, ensuring that cards like Thoughtbound Phantasm do not reach their full potential. When playing against decks that feature the Phantasm, timely removal and board control are paramount to securing victory.
Ultimately, while Thoughtbound Phantasm can be a formidable card given the right circumstances, it’s far from unbeatable. With a solid strategy and the right cards at your disposal, you can effectively keep this growing threat in check and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thoughtbound Phantasm MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Murders at Karlov Manor Commander, 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 Thoughtbound Phantasm 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
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Printings
The Thoughtbound Phantasm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 122 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thoughtbound Phantasm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thoughtbound Phantasm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | An ability that triggers “whenever you surveil” triggers after you’re done surveilling, even if you have fewer cards in your library than the number of cards you’re instructed to surveil. It even triggers if you have no cards in your library. |
| 2018-10-05 | Once Thoughtbound Phantasm has attacked, removing +1/+1 counters from it won’t remove it from combat. |
| 2018-10-05 | You put only one +1/+1 counter on Thoughtbound Phantasm each time you surveil, no matter how many cards you looked at when you surveilled. |