Phantasmal Sphere MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Illusion
Abilities	Flying
Released	1996-06-10
Set symbol
Set name	Alliances
Set code	ALL
Power	0
Toughness	1
Number	32
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Tedin

Key Takeaways

Phantasmal Sphere excels in token generation, boosting board presence significantly.
Its upkeep’s discard requirement, though, could be a strategic setback.
Uniqueness in gameplay makes it a wildcard in creature-heavy strategies.

Text of card

Flying At the beginning of your upkeep, put a +1/+1 counter on Phantasmal Sphere. During your upkeep, pay o1 for each of these +1/+1 counters or bury Phantasmal Sphere. If Phantasmal Sphere leaves play, put an Orb token into play under target opponent's control. Treat this token as a */* blue creature with flying, where * is equal to the number of these +1/+1 counters on Phantasmal Sphere.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phantasmal Sphere offers a unique type of card superiority by granting you the opportunity to amass a potentially vast quantity of Phantom tokens, propelling you ahead and overwhelming your opponent with numbers.

Resource Acceleration: By generating multiple token creatures, Phantasmal Sphere provides a ramp in board presence, which can be an indirect form of resource acceleration as you can use these tokens for various strategic advantages.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the Sphere synergizes well with instant speed spells and abilities in MTG, allowing for strategic plays during the upkeep before triggering the tokens’ creation, giving you the flexibility to respond to an evolving board state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Phantasmal Sphere, players must discard a card to its upkeep cost, which can be problematic when hand size is precious.

Specific Mana Cost: The sphere asks for a blue and a green mana, demanding commitment to both colors and potentially straining multicolored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of three mana upfront for an enchantment that requires continuous payments and additional card sacrifice may hinder tempo against cards with immediate board impact.

Reasons to Include Phantasmal Sphere in Your Collection

Versatility: Phantasmal Sphere offers a unique function in decks that thrive off of token generation or those that manipulate counters. It can be a quirky addition to Illusion tribal themes or in strategies that capitalize on evasive creatures.

Combo Potential: This card has potential in combination with effects that allow for counter multiplication or those that benefit when creatures enter the battlefield or die. It can also serve as a fodder for sacrifice-based strategies, fueling various engine pieces.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are in abundance, Phantasmal Sphere provides an unconventional method for board presence, which may not be expected and can catch opponents off guard. Its ability to scale and create multiple tokens can be particularly useful against opponents that lack mass removal.

How to beat

Phantasmal Sphere demands a strategic approach when facing it across the battlefield. A unique orb with the potential to overwhelm opponents with Phantom tokens, it requires a careful maneuver to disrupt. In Magic: The Gathering, one effective tactic is to target it directly with spells or abilities that force its controller to sacrifice it. This can quickly remove the growing threat without needing to contend with the tokens it generates.

Utilizing cards with straightforward, targeted removal or using abilities that deal with enchantments and artifacts can negate the Sphere’s advantages. It’s also viable to apply pressure early in the game, ensuring the Sphere’s controller has fewer turns to benefit from its token-producing capacity. Precision is key, and with the right disruption, the Sphere’s presence can be short-lived. Patience pays off when engaging with intricate cards like Phantasmal Sphere, as preemptive actions can ensure it never reaches its full potential on the playing field.

Ultimately, understanding and anticipating your opponent’s strategies that involve Phantasmal Sphere can lead to an upper hand, as preempting the deployment or neutralizing it swiftly can turn the tides of the game in your favor.

Cards like Phantasmal Sphere

Phantasmal Sphere breaks the mold as a somewhat enigmatic and unique creature in the Magic universe. It finds a peer in Illusionary Forces, another creature with cumulative upkeep cost but with a fixed flying ability. While both cards require an ongoing investment of resources, Phantasmal Sphere enables the creation of tokens and potentially adds a significant board presence. This aspect sets it aside as it can change the tide of the game by sheer numbers.

Another comparison can be made with Pentavus, which offers token generation as well. However, Pentavus has the flexibility of creating tokens without the need for cumulative upkeep and can manipulate counters for strategic advantage. This gives it a reusable nature, unlike the one-time use of the Sphere’s ability upon reaching the required counters. On the other hand, the ability to convert mana investment into creature tokens is shared by Master of Waves which produces a number of tokens based on your devotion to blue.

Despite these differences, Phantasmal Sphere can still be a valuable option for players looking to build a creature-heavy strategy with a splash of blue. Its singularity in gameplay offers a distinct route that can lead to surprising victories if played with finesse.

Cards similar to Phantasmal Sphere by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phantasmal Sphere MTG card by a specific set like 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 Phantasmal Sphere and other MTG cards: