Phage the Untouchable MTG Card


Phage offers a win condition that can turn games, but demands careful strategy to avoid losing. Building a deck around Phage can lead to resource acceleration, improving your mana pool. Include instant speed spells for protection, making Phage a game-changer on the battlefield.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Avatar Minion
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Phage the Untouchable comes into play, if you didn't play it from your hand, you lose the game. Whenever Phage deals combat damage to a creature, destroy that creature. It can't be regenerated. Whenever Phage deals combat damage to a player, that player loses the game.


Cards like Phage the Untouchable

Phage the Untouchable is a unique creature card that stands out in Magic: The Gathering due to its distinctive ability to eliminate players instantly upon dealing damage. A similar menacing creature is Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon, which offers the potential for a swift victory with its infect ability, causing poison counters to accumulate rapidly. Both Skithiryx and Phage can end games suddenly, but Skithiryx offers more versatility with flying and regenerate abilities.

Another card that echoes the lethal nature of Phage is Darksteel Colossus, a juggernaut in its own right. While it doesn’t have the one-hit kill capacity, it poses a formidable threat with indestructible, providing a relentless offensive. Unlike Phage, the Colossus doesn’t carry the risk of causing its owner to lose the game if it happens to enter the battlefield from any place other than the hand. This makes it less risky but less likely to deliver an immediate coup de grâce.

Evaluating these comparisons, it’s evident that Phage the Untouchable’s dramatic win condition is both a blessing and a curse, making it an intriguing choice for players who enjoy high-stakes strategies in their Magic: The Gathering decks.

Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Colossus - MTG Card versions
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Colossus - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Phage the Untouchable by color, type and mana cost

Lord of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Minion of Tevesh Szat - MTG Card versions
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Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
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Ebon Dragon - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Butcher of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Sutured Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Minion of Tevesh Szat - MTG Card versions
Minion of Leshrac - MTG Card versions
Veldrane of Sengir - MTG Card versions
Cateran Overlord - MTG Card versions
Deathbringer Regent - MTG Card versions
Black Dragon - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Eater of Hope - MTG Card versions
Zombie Brute - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Nezumi - MTG Card versions
Pus Kami - MTG Card versions
Tresserhorn Skyknight - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl the Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Mournwhelk - MTG Card versions
Ebon Dragon - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Butcher of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Sutured Ghoul - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Phage the Untouchable. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo LegacyEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phage the Untouchable brings a unique win condition to the table by instantly defeating any opponent she deals damage to. Utilizing her correctly can shift the balance of power, prompting your opponents to spend resources on handling her, potentially leading to card advantage for you.

Resource Acceleration: While Phage herself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, building a deck around her often includes using cards that accelerate your mana or find the necessary tools to get her into play without triggering her detrimental casting clause. This strategy can indirectly benefit the overall resource acceleration of your deck.

Instant Speed: Although Phage lacks instant speed capabilities inherently, she often encourages a deck design that leverages instant speed spells to protect her and clear the path for her potentially game-ending ability. Including various forms of instant speed interaction ensures that once Phage hits the battlefield, she can be a deciding factor in the game’s outcome.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of Phage the Untouchable’s limitations is that deploying her from anywhere other than your hand comes with a steep penalty. If she enters the battlefield by any other means, you lose the game. This makes her vulnerable to discard mechanics and requires you to be strategic and careful with how you manage your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Phage also comes with a specific mana requirement that could potentially limit her integration in multicolored decks. She requires three black mana, making her a better fit for mono-black configurations or decks with heavy black mana support.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three generic and three black mana, Phage the Untouchable demands a significant investment to be put into play. Given that there are other creatures with lower mana costs and powerful abilities, some players might find it harder to justify her inclusion, especially in faster-paced games where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Phage the Untouchable in Your Collection

Versatility: As a unique legendary creature, Phage the Untouchable offers a different angle of play. Being able to end a game instantly with her ability, she can find a place in various deck builds that look to bypass traditional combat.

Combo Potential: Phage is well-known for her instant-win potential when combined with cards that enable direct player damage or allow creatures to connect immediately. She synergizes with strategies that circumvent her casting restriction or her lethal ability when hitting the battlefield from any zone other than the hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a commander meta where life totals can be high, Phage becomes a formidable threat. In the right setup, she can change the course of the game, making her a valuable target for removal or a must-answer threat for opponents, ensuring your deck has an edge.


How to beat Phage the Untouchable

In the world of MTG, navigating around Phage the Untouchable can be a challenge. This legendary creature packs a potent punch, instantly destroying any player it deals damage to. To outmaneuver Phage, smart card choices and strategic play are essential. Direct removal spells such as Path to Exile or Unmake offer clean solutions to remove Phage from the battlefield without triggering her lethal ability. Countering her casting with cards like Counterspell or running sacrificial effects with cards like Innocent Blood can preemptively neutralize Phage before her ability becomes a factor.

Another tactical approach is to employ cards that prevent combat damage, like Ghostly Prison or Propaganda, thus creating a barrier between Phage and your life total. Edicts, which force a player to sacrifice a creature, are another path worth exploring. Should Phage have hexproof or shroud, look to board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation that don’t target individual creatures. Whatever your strategy, remember that facing Phage requires careful planning, and with the right preparations, her touch can certainly be untouchable for your opponents instead of you.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deep into MTG means embracing the intricacies of each card, especially one as fascinating as Phage the Untouchable. Whether you are looking to shake up your game with a high-risk, high-reward strategy, optimize your black mana base, or force opponents to keep guessing, Phage offers thrilling gameplay. Crafting a deck that maximizes her strengths and mitigates her limitations is a rewarding challenge. Enhance your collection and elevate your tactics with this legendary creature, turning potential cons into your competitive advantage. Unlock deeper insights and strategies with us, and let your MTG knowledge lead you to triumphant victories.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phage the Untouchable MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Tenth Edition, 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 Phage the Untouchable and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phage the Untouchable Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 781997NormalBlackRon Spears
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1662003NormalBlackRon Spears
32014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1202003NormalBlackRon Spears
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11952015NormalBorderlessFlorian Bertmer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phage the Untouchable has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phage the Untouchable card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 It is only considered “cast from your hand” if you cast it as a spell from your hand. Putting it onto the battlefield from your hand using a spell or ability will cause you to lose the game.
2013-07-01 In a Commander game where this card is your commander, casting it from the Command zone does not count as casting it from your hand.