Phyrexian Colossus MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Phyrexian Golem
Power 8
Toughness 8

Key Takeaways

  1. Gaining card advantage crucial, as Colossus poses an immediate, resource-draining threat to opponents.
  2. Resource acceleration achievable in decks tailored for ‘cheating’ Colossus into play early.
  3. Instant speed interactions can unexpectedly transform the Colossus, unleashing its full potential.

Text of card

Phyrexian Colossus does not untap during your untap phase. Pay 8 life: Untap Phyrexian Colossus. Phyrexian Colossus cannot be blocked by fewer than three creatures.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Phyrexian Colossus can provide significant card advantage by posing as an imminent threat that requires multiple resources from your opponent to handle. It also has the potential to end games quickly if not dealt with, forcing opponents to use their cards inefficiently.

Resource Acceleration: Despite its seemingly high cost, the Colossus can actually lead to resource acceleration in decks designed to cheat it into play. With numerous artifact synergies and reanimation strategies available in the Magic universe, players can efficiently get this massive creature on the board sooner than its mana cost suggests.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the Phyrexian Colossus benefits from instant speed interactions in MTG. Cards that untap creatures or give them haste, especially if played at the end of an opponent’s turn, can turn this sleeping giant into a surprise blocker or an unforeseen offensive force without warning.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not demanding a traditional discard, Phyrexian Colossus requires players to pay life instead of mana to untap it. This alternative cost can be a heavy toll on your life total, making it a risky play against aggressive decks.

Specific Mana Cost: The Colossus demands a significant amount of seven mana for casting, necessitating a deck that’s adept at generating large amounts of mana quickly or stalling the game until it can be played effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature of its caliber, seven mana is a hefty cost, and opponents with sufficient removal options can neutralize it before it has an impact on the game, leading to a substantial loss of resources on your part.


Reasons to Include Phyrexian Colossus in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Colossus is a formidable card capable of fitting into multiple deck archetypes for players who appreciate high-impact creatures. Its ability to be untapped without mana investment, instead opting for life payment, provides numerous strategic plays and can swiftly change the tide of a match.

Combo Potential: This massive artifact creature lends itself to various combos, especially in decks that mitigate life loss or take advantage of untapping mechanisms. Its sheer presence on the battlefield can be a catalyst for synergistic plays that capitalize on its 8/8 stats for quick, game-ending assaults.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-evolving dynamics of MTG, Phyrexian Colossus can serve as a powerful option against decks that are ill-prepared to handle large threats. Its synergy with life manipulation and artifact-focused strategies can give players an edge in a competitive landscape, making it a noteworthy card for collectors and tacticians alike.


How to Beat

Overcoming the might of Phyrexian Colossus in Magic: The Gathering demands strategic finesse, considering its overwhelming presence on the battlefield. Typically played in decks that can bypass its untap cost, this artifact creature offers an imposing 8/8 body that can dominate games if left unchecked. Yet, its biggest strength is also its key vulnerability: the Colossus doesn’t untap during its controller’s untap step, and it requires a payment of 8 life to overcome this. Players clever in their defensive tactics utilize this to their advantage, potentially forcing an opponent into a precarious life total situation.

Countering Phyrexian Colossus can be achieved through a variety of methods. Cards that force untap actions on the opponent’s turn can deplete their life quickly if they aren’t cautious. Additionally, creature removal spells, pacifism effects that prevent attacking or blocking, and cards that avoid or nullify damage can effectively neutralize this colossal threat. When facing down this powerful artifact creature, always remember to prioritize life-preserving strategies and exploit its life-draining requirement to untap—turning its once daunting presence into a more manageable obstacle.


Cards like Phyrexian Colossus

Phyrexian Colossus stands as a monolithic artifact creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. A towering force on the battlefield, it draws comparisons to other heavyweight artifact creatures such as Metalwork Colossus. Both cards are massive threats that can end the game if left unchecked. Metalwork Colossus can often be cast for a reduced cost by tapping noncreature artifacts you control, whereas Phyrexian Colossus bypasses the mana cost at the expense of life points—offering a unique strategy compared to Metalwork Colossus.

Another parallel is found with Sundering Titan, which also offers an impactful presence. While the Titan’s entrance and departure from play can alter land balances destructively, the ongoing presence of Phyrexian Colossus requires no further cost beyond the initial health payment. This difference in game dynamics can be incredibly relevant, depending on the player’s game plan and board state.

Comparatively, each of these titan-like artifacts presents distinct advantages and challenges, but Phyrexian Colossus is particularly notable for its ability to bypass traditional casting constraints and its synergy with life-based strategies, offering an aggressive approach for players willing to pay the cost in life rather than mana.

Metalwork Colossus - MTG Card versions
Sundering Titan - MTG Card versions
Metalwork Colossus - Kaladesh Promos (PKLD)
Sundering Titan - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Phyrexian Colossus by color, type and mana cost

Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Machine - MTG Card versions
Mirror Mirror - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Thopter - MTG Card versions
Lotus Guardian - MTG Card versions
Wondrous Crucible - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Orrery - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Dragon - MTG Card versions
Pentavus - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Lancer - MTG Card versions
Solarion - MTG Card versions
Lunar Avenger - MTG Card versions
Triskelavus - MTG Card versions
Platinum Angel - MTG Card versions
Sphinx-Bone Wand - MTG Card versions
Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Hexplate Golem - MTG Card versions
Mishra's War Machine - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Diabolic Machine - Renaissance (REN)
Mirror Mirror - Unglued (UGL)
Flowstone Thopter - Nemesis (NEM)
Lotus Guardian - Invasion (INV)
Wondrous Crucible - The Brothers' War Commander (BRC)
Myr Enforcer - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Chromatic Orrery - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Clockwork Dragon - The List (PLST)
Pentavus - The List (PLST)
Darksteel Gargoyle - Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)
Death-Mask Duplicant - Darksteel (DST)
Arcbound Lancer - Darksteel (DST)
Solarion - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Lunar Avenger - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Triskelavus - Time Spiral (TSP)
Platinum Angel - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Sphinx-Bone Wand - Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari (DDJ)
Myr Battlesphere - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Hexplate Golem - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Colossus MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Phyrexian Colossus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phyrexian Colossus Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 3051997normalblackMark Tedin
22000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 jf3051997normalgoldMark Tedin
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 311★1997normalblackMark Tedin
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 3111997normalwhiteMark Tedin
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 3092003normalwhiteMark Tedin
62003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 309★2003normalblackMark Tedin
72010-03-19Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the CoalitionDDE 162003normalblackMark Tedin
82020-09-26The ListPLST USG-3051997normalblackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Colossus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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