Trespassing Souleater MTG Card


The Souleater provides adaptability and the potential for card advantage through an unblockable ability. Its Phyrexian mana mechanic grants flexibility, but the card’s requirement can impact hand size. While versatile in deck inclusion, its specific mana cost could limit its use across various archetypes.
Trespassing Souleater - New Phyrexia
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Phyrexian Construct
Released2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set nameNew Phyrexia
Set codeNPH
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number163
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byScott Chou

Text of card

{PU}: Trespassing Souleater is unblockable this turn. ({PU} can be paid with either or 2 life.)

"We thank the souleaters for surveilling our lives that we may be preserved from our own ignorance." —Drones' hymn of gratitude


Cards like Trespassing Souleater

Trespassing Souleater offers MTG deck builders an intriguing choice in the realm of colorless creatures. Its unique ability to become unblockable for a turn by paying life rather than mana draws parallels to cards like Invisible Stalker. Invisible Stalker boasts hexproof in addition to being inherently unblockable, which gives it a slight edge in terms of evasiveness and durability despite Trespassing Souleater’s flexible payment option.

Another notable comparison is Aether Tunnel, an enchantment that can render any creature unblockable but at the cost of a card slot and a consistent two mana investment. While Aether Tunnel offers a static effect, Trespassing Souleater provides a repeatable ability, granting it advantages in situations where life totals are less of a concern. Moreover, Ghostform is an instant that can momentarily make not one but two creatures unable to be blocked, outpacing the Souleater in terms of immediate impact on the battlefield.

Therefore, Trespassing Souleater finds its place as a versatile choice for players leveraging their life total as a resource. It stands out with its flexible unblockable mechanic, although it may require strategic life management to maximize its potential on the battlefield.

Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Aether Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Ghostform - MTG Card versions
Invisible Stalker - MTG Card versions
Aether Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Ghostform - MTG Card versions

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Chronatog Totem - MTG Card versions
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Master of Etherium - MTG Card versions
Skill Borrower - MTG Card versions
Esperzoa - MTG Card versions
Neurok Replica - MTG Card versions
Parasitic Strix - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Implement of Examination - MTG Card versions
Portal of Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Midnight Clock - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Trespassing Souleater provides strategic flexibility. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, it can grant unblockable status; this allows you to connect with your opponent consistently, which can be parlayed into card advantage if paired with cards that draw upon dealing combat damage.

Resource Acceleration: While the Souleater itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, its Phyrexian mana cost offers a unique type of flexibility. You can pay life instead of mana to activate its ability, potentially conserving mana for other spells and keeping up the pace of your game plan.

Instant Speed: Trespassing Souleater’s ability to become unblockable can be activated at instant speed. This gives you the power to make tactical decisions on the fly, reacting to the state of the board and your opponent’s actions, ensuring that your strategies remain fluid and adaptable throughout the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Trespassing Souleater demands a card to be discarded in addition to its mana cost, which can result in a decreased hand size and potential loss of vital strategies or resources within the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both colorless and blue mana to cast, which could restrict its inclusion only to decks that can accommodate that specific mana requirement, potentially excluding it from a wide range of mono-color or other deck types that don’t generate blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its provided abilities, Trespassing Souleater comes with a mana cost that might be deemed steep against other options. Players might look for alternative creatures or spells that offer more bang for their mana buck, seeking those that can have a more immediate or substantial impact on the game upon casting.


Reasons to Include Trespassing Souleater in Your Collection

Versatility: Trespassing Souleater is a card that blends well into various deck builds. It’s not just for aggro strategies but can also serve as an unblockable threat in control and combo decks or as a way to sneak in critical damage.

Combo Potential: Its ability to gain unblockable at will means it can be a key component in decks that capitalize on dealing damage directly or that synergize with creatures connecting with an opponent. Combining it with equipment or auras that increase its power can turn it into a consistent damage dealer.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where ground stalls are common or when your opponents lack sufficient aerial defense, Trespassing Souleater can be a game-changer. This makes it a great addition to face various popular deck archetypes and strategies, ensuring that your collection is prepared to tackle the ever-changing MTG landscape.


How to beat

Addressing the Trespassing Souleater from Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic approach. This unique card operates with a distinct mechanic of blending life payment with unblockability, setting it apart from other creatures on the battlefield. To counter it effectively, denial of life gain to the controlling player is a sensible strategy. Spells or abilities that hinder life payment can stifle the Souleater’s unblockability, rendering it vulnerable. Furthermore, considering that it is an artifact creature, sideboarding appropriate removal spells like Disenchant or Abrade can be particularly effective. Opponents can also pre-emptively manage threats by utilizing instant speed removal to eliminate the Souleater before it can become unblockable. Additionally, using creatures with reach or ones that can block multiple creatures can also serve as a deterrent to the Souleater’s attacks. Direct damage spells, board wipes, and maintaining card advantage can sway the match away from the Souleater’s unique mechanic and towards a victory. Efficient resource management, strategic planning, and knowing when to neutralize it can ensure that Trespassing Souleater does not become an unstoppable force on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Trespassing Souleater MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Trespassing Souleater and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Trespassing Souleater has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal