Phyrexian Tribute MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	134
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Matson

Key Takeaways

Phyrexian Tribute disrupts opponents while maintaining card parity, acting as a potent two-for-one deal.
Instant speed use of the card introduces flexibility, enabling surprise interactions during opponents’ turns.
Sacrificing creatures can be costly, and the specific mana cost may limit its inclusion in varied decks.

Text of card

Sacrifice two creatures: Destroy target artifact.

"In your final breath you still have something to offer Phyrexia." —Afari, *Tales*

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phyrexian Tribute offers a strategic edge by permitting you to potentially disrupt your opponent’s board state while maintaining card parity. This card lets you exchange it for key threats, essentially acting as a two-for-one in many scenarios and positively impacting your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of mana, Phyrexian Tribute can pave the way for resource acceleration by clearing the path for your more impactful threats or by stripping away obstacles, allowing for a smoother buildup of your game plan.

Instant Speed: The power to use Phyrexian Tribute at instant speed grants flexibility and the element of surprise. You can adapt to the board dynamically, using it to interact on your opponent’s turn or in response to an action, thereby maximizing its potential impact on the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phyrexian Tribute’s playability is hindered by its stipulation for sacrificing creatures. This can become costly if your board presence is already wavering or if sacrificing doesn’t align with your strategic blueprint.

Specific Mana Cost: With its requirement of black mana, Phyrexian Tribute demands a deck composition with a dedication to swamps or mana flexibility. This can narrow deck-building options and may not fit seamlessly into every black-based strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Phyrexian Tribute might not be the most efficient removal option available. When considering its cost together with the additional sacrifice needed, players might look towards alternatives that do not set them back as much in terms of resources and board development.

Reasons to Include Phyrexian Tribute in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Tribute offers a unique ability to sacrifice an opponent’s artifacts, which can be exceptionally useful in disrupting a wide array of deck strategies. This flexibility allows it to be a relevant card choice across various formats.

Combo Potential: The ability to target artifacts can be a linchpin in decks that capitalize on sacrifice effects and graveyard interactions, creating opportunities for powerful combos and synergy with other cards that have similar mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of artifact-centric decks in many competitive scenes, Phyrexian Tribute stands as a significant player, offering a tactical edge by removing key components of your opponent’s strategy, making it a timely addition to any collection.

How to beat

Phyrexian Tribute is a unique card that can disrupt a player’s game plan in Magic: The Gathering. It poses a challenge by offering an alternative cost, sacrificing creatures instead of paying mana. To effectively counter this black sorcery, one must be strategic in creature management. A solid tactic involves maintaining a low creature count on your side of the battlefield, making it harder for your opponent to find targets for sacrifice.

Additionally, consider employing instant-speed removal or sacrifice effects in response to the Tribute, ensuring that the creatures you’d lose contribute to your advantage rather than your opponent’s. Graveyard shenanigans can also be a smart angle—leveraging cards that benefit from or recycle creatures from the graveyard mitigates the impact of Phyrexian Tribute. In essence, turning the tables on this card requires forethought and a careful approach to creature conservation.

Ultimately, outmaneuvering Phyrexian Tribute involves strict control over the board state and anticipating your opponent’s moves. With efficient use of resources and situational awareness, one can nullify the drawbacks of such a disruptive card and maintain an upper hand throughout the clash on the MTG battlefield.

Cards like Phyrexian Tribute

Phyrexian Tribute, a card that emerged from the Mirage set, carves its niche within the domain of artifact interaction in MTG. Cards that share this space include notable spells like Gleeful Sabotage, which shines in its capacity to conspire and take down multiple artifacts at once. Phyrexian Tribute stands out by demanding a sacrifice of two creatures for its effect—a steep price that distinguishes it from the more straightforward mana cost associated with Gleeful Sabotage.

Considering something like Release to the Wind, the comparison shifts. This spell provides an alternative by exiling a nonland permanent, avoiding the need for creature sacrifices and offering flexibility at instant speed. Phyrexian Tribute’s restriction to targeting solely artifacts and the requisite sacrifice often places it behind in selection, despite its impactful ability to deal with artifacts permanently.

Focusing on artifact removal strategies, the place of Phyrexian Tribute within MTG’s extensive library can be seen as narrower, with its unique sacrificial requirement. When evaluating artifact removal options, Phyrexian Tribute presents a distinct, albeit costly, choice compared to other spells, often requiring a more deliberate deck-building strategy to maximize its potential.

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

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Tribute 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 Phyrexian Tribute and other MTG cards: